CSRD and Biodiversity: Which Standards to Follow in 2025

Following the approval of the Omnibus package by the European Commission, the EFRAG (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group) has presented a detailed operational plan for the revision of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The initiative aims to lighten and simplify the regulatory framework of sustainability reporting while maintaining its consistency and quality, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal. The main goal is to provide a technical guide by October 31, 2025, aimed at those involved in drafting sustainability reports. This guide is intended to improve the usability and effectiveness of the ESRS, making them more accessible, particularly for SMEs, and more useful for both internal and external stakeholders of companies.

Clearly establishing the objectives of a biodiversity assessment is an essential step to properly guide the choice of methods, the scale of analysis, and the expected results. Depending on the context, the objectives may vary: supporting decision-making in land management, measuring the effectiveness of conservation interventions, assessing the environmental impacts of specific projects, or integrating biodiversity into corporate sustainability reports. Generally, three main types of objectives can be distinguished: descriptive, to provide a snapshot of the current state; predictive, to develop future scenarios; and decision-making, to provide a solid basis to support actions to be undertaken. The objectives help in selecting consistent indicators, engaging stakeholders in a targeted way, and ensuring that the entire assessment produces concrete, usable, and easily communicable results.

The CSRD introduces the principle of double materiality: companies must report both the impact of their activities on the environment and the risks that environmental changes pose to their own operational continuity. This approach requires evolved governance, with clear roles and responsibilities in sustainability management. Boards of directors must be involved in defining ESG strategies, overseeing objectives, and managing biodiversity-related risks. It is advisable to establish internal ESG committees, train staff, and integrate environmental criteria into decision-making processes. The materiality assessment must be dynamic and participatory, involving both internal and external stakeholders, to ensure a comprehensive and shared vision.

Integrating biodiversity into business strategy represents an opportunity for innovation and competitive advantage. Consumers and investors increasingly reward companies that demonstrate a commitment to protecting natural capital. Companies that anticipate the application of the CSRD standards and adopt transparent and verifiable practices can differentiate themselves in the market, access sustainable financing (e.g. green bonds, ESG loans), improve their reputation, and attract new talent. Additionally, biodiversity is directly linked to the security of supply chains, resource availability, and environmental risk management.

This article was created as part of the "Biodiversity services EU expansion" project (CUP: E43D22000480009) under the Lombardy Region call "PR FESR 2021-2027 – LINEA INTERNAZIONALIZZAZIONE 21-27", aimed at supporting the internationalization of Italian companies. 3Bee is the naturetech company that develops innovative technologies for monitoring, protecting, and regenerating biodiversity, supporting companies in defining customized climate strategies based on the analysis of their impacts and dependencies on nature. With a consolidated portfolio in Italy, Germany, and France and significant partnerships, 3Bee continues its expansion into international markets to create a tangible impact through technology.