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A survey to assess how much nature-related data forestry investors and companies have has been launched by the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC) to help streamline nature investing.
The 'Nature Measures' survey will consider how nature is quantified across 35 different countries and forest types as part of a first step in "creating standardised systems of natural capital accounting and reporting".
Olli Haltia, chair of the ISFC's nature survey committee, said: "Nature accounting is [held] back by differences in definitions, metrics and KPIs, which make it challenging for investors to compare 'apples with apples'."
While a 'best-in-class' approach is sought after by forestry companies, they often apply different labels to similar initiatives, Haltia said.
He added: "If we can move even one step towards a more common lexicon it will be a leap forward for the creation of an investable Natural Capital asset class."
Ross Hampton, CEO of the ISFC, said: "As more and more investors seek to evolve their portfolio of investments towards more 'nature positive' outcomes, the forestry sector will have an important role to play."
The survey will be carried out by the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI).
The ISFC's 15 member organisations, collectively manage around 16.5 million hectares globally. It includes some of the world's largest forestry investors including New Forests, Gresham House and France Valley Investments.