Australian insights
Transition readiness of Australia’s most influential companies(Opens in a new tab/window)
The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) has published(Opens in a new tab/window) a report on the transition readiness of Australia’s most influential companies. Drawing on the World Benchmarking Alliance’s (WBA) 2026 assessments, this report examines how major companies connected to Australia are preparing for and delivering on the transition. The results show that Australia is not starting from zero, as transition plans already provide a practical tool to translate ambition into action. The WBA states the next step is to evolve toward integrated transition plans that connect climate, nature, water and social impacts with capital allocation, governance and delivery metrics. The report highlights that integrated transition plans will bring coherence, accountability and credibility to Australia’s transition pathway.
Blueprint for a Healthy Country and Thriving Regions(Opens in a new tab/window)
The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists has published its ‘Blueprint for a Healthy Country and Thriving Regions’. The blueprint outlines a model for landscape management in New South Wales. It aims to reverse long‑term environmental decline by establishing a whole‑of‑landscape approach that recognises natural capital as essential to community wellbeing, resilient ecosystems, productive agriculture, and climate adaptation. The model includes 7 key components and builds on elements of existing land management frameworks. Key components of the blueprint include restoring natural capital, strengthening biodiversity, supporting farmers with nature‑positive approaches, and improving climate resilience. The blueprint also emphasises deeper respect for Aboriginal peoples’ connections to Country and the importance of collaborative, long‑term stewardship.
Growing Australia’s Nature Economy(Opens in a new tab/window)
Growing Australia’s Nature Economy is a national campaign to strengthen public confidence in Australia’s carbon and biodiversity markets. The campaign has published(Opens in a new tab/window) a green paper on how to build environmental markets that repair nature at scale. According to the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, sustained investment of around $7.3 billion a year could avoid most extinctions, recover almost all threatened species, repair the productive base of agricultural soils and fix overallocated and fragmented river systems. The paper includes case studies that demonstrate how changing practices and participation in markets can create a new layer of income, as well as improving on farm productivity and resilience.
Gamay Celebrate Sea Country Plan(Opens in a new tab/window)
The La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, with assistance from Country Needs People, developed(Opens in a new tab/window) the 10-year Gamay (Botany Bay) Sea Country Plan. It is the first Sea Country Plan for a major capital city and covers a significant section of Sydney’s coastline from Maroubra Beach in the north to Marley Head in the south. The Plan represents the community's values, vision and commitment to protecting Sea Country. The new Gamay Sea Country Plan lays out aspirations for how Gamay would like the bay managed. It identifies projects to help drive the rehabilitation of Gamay, including a Seagrass Project, Seahorse Project, Crayweed Project and Marine Mammal Monitoring Project.
Balancing Biodiversity – Conversation with Dr Ken Henry AC(Opens in a new tab/window)
New South Wales (NSW) Rural Press Club features(Opens in a new tab/window) a conversation with Dr Ken Henry AC. Dr Henry calls for reform and outlines opportunities to protect and restore NSW’s highest value biodiversity.
International insights
Understanding Biodiversity Credit Metrics: A Business Imperative(Opens in a new tab/window)
Biodiversity Credit Alliance has published(Opens in a new tab/window) a discussion paper that explores the fundamentals of biodiversity credit metrics. The paper highlights that biodiversity credits can meet different business needs, including materially contributing to regulatory requirements, reputational benefits, and employee satisfaction strategies. It states that the private sector has a unique opportunity to drive innovation and credibility in biodiversity markets. This is through supporting scientifically sound, transparent, and high-quality, high-integrity measurement approaches. Biodiversity credits can fit into corporate sustainability reporting as tangible evidence of positive biodiversity outcomes that companies finance or achieve. The paper unpacks key questions shaping the market and provides clear guidance on how to navigate a rapidly developing landscape.
New Impact Practitioners Forum(Opens in a new tab/window)
Capitals Coalition and Value Balancing Alliance (VBA) have formed(Opens in a new tab/window) a strategic partnership. The Capitals Coalition takes responsibility for the standard setting process while VBA engages and coordinates the international business community. They have launched the Impact Practitioners’ Forum, which is an international business platform to support and inform the standardisation of Impact methodologies by the Impact Value Standards Board with an informed, coordinated business perspective. Participation is open globally to business-related preparers, users, experts, and assurance providers.
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation(Opens in a new tab/window)
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered force in February 2025 and is due for general application from 12 August 2026. The PPWR establishes(Opens in a new tab/window) requirements in line with Europe's waste rules that cover the entire packaging life cycle – from product design to waste handling. The rules aim to minimise the quantities of packaging and waste generated while lowering the use of primary raw materials and fostering the transition to a circular, sustainable and competitive economy. PPWR requires companies placing packaged goods on the EU market to align their packaging data, supplier relationships, and internal compliance processes with new legal requirements.
Breaking the Plastic Wave: Why Transparency is Key to Turning the Tide(Opens in a new tab/window)
CDP’s article explains(Opens in a new tab/window) that plastic pollution is rapidly increasing. The annual flow of plastic into the ocean is projected to nearly triple by 2040 without significant intervention. Despite growing awareness and policy activity, pollution has already increased by 21% since the original 2020 analysis. However, the report outlines that an 83% reduction in annual plastic pollution is achievable through full system transformation across the value chain. Transformative actions include reducing production, redesigning materials, and expanding waste management. The article emphasises that none of these solutions are possible without transparency and that accurate disclosure is essential for effective policymaking, supply chain risk management, and investment in circular economy innovation.
Natural Infrastructure Plan launched(Opens in a new tab/window)
Aotearoa Circle launched(Opens in a new tab/window) the Natural Infrastructure Plan at the New Zealand Parliament. Aotearoa Circle drafted the Plan with more than 200 contributors. The Plan states that wetlands, forests, dunes, waterways and soils should be treated as productive infrastructure that underpins economic activity. The plan aligns with the Infrastructure Commission’s call for a shift from short-term thinking to long-term value in its National Infrastructure Plan. While much future infrastructure funding will be absorbed by maintenance, equating to 60 cents in every future dollar, natural systems often require significantly lower financial upkeep yet deliver multiple co-benefits.
The Circle’s plan includes six case studies that demonstrate measurable financial returns, risk reduction, job creation and environmental and social gains. The plan also includes an investment decision toolkit to aid evaluation of nature-based solutions alongside traditional infrastructure options.
Nature-related risk and directors’ duties(Opens in a new tab/window)
Norton Rose Fulbright’s article explains(Opens in a new tab/window) that while corporate sustainability regulation remains fragmented globally, there is a growing recognition that climate change and nature loss are tightly interconnected. This is increasing the expectations on boards. It highlights that 4 legal opinions from New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Canada conclude that directors already have a positive obligation under existing corporate law to identify, assess and manage material nature‑related risks. The article underscores that nature‑related risks are systemic, with significant portions of global GDP and financial systems exposed to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Norton Rose Fulbright recommend that directors identify and assess nature-related risks, undertake monitoring and trend analysis, and build competency and capacity. It concludes that directors who fail to identify, assess and manage nature-related risks are increasingly exposed to the risk of breaching their duties. Proactive governance, informed by the latest legal, scientific and market developments is essential to safeguarding the long-term interests of companies.
Mercer's private nature market research(Opens in a new tab/window)
Mercer undertook(Opens in a new tab/window) a research study of private nature markets between January 2024 and July 2025. It gathered responses from 70 managers covering 89 private market nature strategies (closed and fundraising). The research found that 71% of funds surveyed are focused on land, indicating that this is currently the most mature and accessible area for nature investment (particularly for biodiversity impact), and that 63% of funds consider carbon and/or biodiversity credits as revenue drivers.
IBA launches ‘Nature-Intelligent Legal Services’ series(Opens in a new tab/window)
The International Bar Association (IBA) is the global voice of the legal profession. The IBA has launched(Opens in a new tab/window) the Nature-Intelligent Legal Services series(Opens in a new tab/window), an initiative designed to help lawyers and law firms understand, assess and respond to nature-related risks and opportunities arising from the accelerating biodiversity and ecosystem crisis. The series is structured around three components. These components includes a business case guide that highlights why legal service providers should act, a nature-intelligent legal services toolkit to provide practical tools on how to assess nature exposure, and guidance on embedding nature considerations into legal advice, transactions and contractual drafting.
Watch the launch of the nature-intelligent legal services here.(Opens in a new tab/window)