Businesses continue to face difficulties incorporating nature-related risks into commercial decision-making, particularly when assessing financial exposure, building a business case for action and understanding potential supply chain impacts, according to a new report from Biodiversify and Little Blue Research.

The report, based on a survey of 229 sustainability professionals, examines progress in integrating nature into business processes and the barriers practitioners encounter. Its findings provide a snapshot of respondents’ experiences rather than a comprehensive assessment of corporate activity.

Some 72% of respondents said their organisations had started integrating nature into business processes, up from 64% in 2024. However, just 16% reported full integration.

Building a business case for action was identified as a major challenge by 53% of respondents. Meanwhile, 49% cited difficulties quantifying nature-related risks and opportunities, while 42% reported challenges assessing potential impacts on supply chains.

Concern over raw material costs was also a reported driver of action, cited by 48% of respondents, compared with 34% in 2024.

Dr Michael Burgass, co-founder and director of Biodiversify, said: “Businesses have a much clearer understanding of climate change than they do of nature loss. Boards recognise the commercial risks of rising temperatures, droughts and extreme weather, but there is less understanding of how the natural environment can help businesses manage those risks.

“Healthy soils, reliable water supplies and functioning ecosystems all play an important role in helping businesses withstand disruption.”

Dr Stephanie Hime FISEP, managing director of Little Blue Research, added: "The findings show how far the corporate nature agenda has developed since our first survey in 2024. Practitioners increasingly have the tools and frameworks to identify nature-related impacts and dependencies, but quantifying what these mean financially remains a significant challenge.”

Published ahead of COP17, which takes place from 19 October 2026, the survey also found that 55% of respondents were looking for greater business incentives and support to help translate nature commitments into action.

---