EnviroDNA enabling shift towards nature-related disclosures
The Taskforce on Nature Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) recommendations were released in September 2023 to guide organisations across the globe towards integrated nature assessment and corporate reporting.
A list of early adopter has been established, indicating growing momentum for the global biodiversity movement where companies will be expected to voluntarily disclose their nature-related risks and impacts (similar to climate-related disclosures).
EnviroDNA welcomes these developments in Australia with great expectations. A shift towards nature accountability and transparency is a necessary step for a nature-positive future. As our economic landscape considers how to best engage, we are enthusiastic about exploring the possibilities of using innovative technologies such as eDNA in Australia to support meaningful impact.
For businesses looking to harmonise with nature, a critical component is understanding business impact and dependencies on nature and measuring the effectiveness of positive nature-related action. While there are many nature databases available for organisations to learn aspects pertinent to them, the most accurate way to understand nature is to directly measure it. When it comes to measuring biodiversity, eDNA offers arguably one of the most powerful solutions to do so at a site and landscape level.
Transformative methods for biodiversity monitoring
eDNA methods provides a revolutionary opportunity for establishing biodiversity baseline data and ongoing monitoring to guide management of natural capital and help maximise biodiversity outcomes.
Conventional monitoring biodiversity survey techniques such as trapping, electrofishing, visual and audio surveys are labour-intensive, costly, stressful for wildlife and pose safety risks in the field. These challenges often restrict the scale and frequency of surveys and therefore limit the information available for decision-making. eDNA requires simple sampling with fast turnaround to produce astounding nature data and insights.
eDNA sampling can be undertaken efficiently over large temporal and spatial scales, reducing field days. For example, Lugg et al. (2018, Methods in Ecology & Evolution 9, 1049) demonstrates it is more efficient to collect two eDNA water samples to achieve a 95% chance of accuracy of detecting a platypus, as opposed to 6-10 platypus fyke net surveys.
These techniques allow for broad-spectrum monitoring of organisms, spanning mammals, birds, fish, decapods, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, plants, bacteria, pathogens and more, producing consistent and comprehensive data that can be easily summarised, analysed, and visualised for stakeholder reporting – an important factor for TNFD engagement.
Lugg et al. (2018, Methods in Ecology & Evolution 9, 1049) demonstrates it is more efficient to collect two eDNA water samples to achieve a 95% chance of accuracy of detecting a platypus, as opposed to 6-10 platypus fyke net surveys.
New chapter for nature
All around the world eDNA is helping organisations understand nature impact, solve complex environmental problems and measure success of outcomes. This may be by providing better data to help improve business operations or to measure the success of nature positive activities.
In Australia, the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) engaged EnviroDNA to undertake an extensive assessment of biodiversity for a long-term initiative to develop a comprehensive environmental account of natural assets in the region. Under the Accounting for Nature framework using eDNA to support large scale monitoring, BMRG established high quality baseline biodiversity data to inform management.
EnviroDNA is also pleased to see in the TNFD recommendations, the inclusion of human rights policies and engagement activities, with respect to Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, affected and other stakeholders, in an organisation’s assessment of, and response to, nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities.
“This is a core-part of what we do at EnviroDNA, and since the release of our Traditional Owner eDNA Training and Certification Program, we have shared our vision on importance of Indigenous-led biodiversity monitoring on Country to ensure meaningful engagement and a two-way knowledge exchange, using methods that are culturally and ecologically sensitive and leave legacy value for our Indigenous communities”, EnviroDNA Service Delivery Lead, Sarah Hale.
How we can help you
- Empowering Traditional owner engagement with eDNA training program
- Biodiversity baselines and species detection at site or landscape level
- Collaborating with other data providers and data portals
If you have any questions about opportunities using eDNA, please contact Sarah Hale: shale@envirodna.com
Further information
This article draws on information from the TNFD Global website. Visit the website for more information about the recommendations: https://tnfd.global/