What’s new for nature: Global developments and UK updates
Nature is increasingly recognised as a globally material economic and security risk to businesses and nations.
The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2026, UK Nature Security Assessment, and the IPBES Business & Biodiversity Assessment have independently cited the fundamental risks that nature degradation and biodiversity loss poses to resilience and security, and the critical need for businesses and states to act to address their nature-related dependencies and impacts.
Global attention will turn to progress on halting and reversing nature degradation and biodiversity loss at COP17 in October, with the Conference conducting the first global review of progress towards 2030 targets.
Nature-related reporting is moving beyond purely voluntary frameworks to enter the regulatory landscape.
With reporting under the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards on the horizon as early as 2027 for listed entities and a mandatory requirement for private companies due to be consulted on later this year, now is the time for UK businesses to start understanding their material nature-related risks and opportunities. The BRC has reiterated that any reporting requirement must be proportionate, phased, aligned, and accompanied by clear guidance.
Environmental due diligence is becoming increasingly regulated across the UK. Following a further delay and simplifications, the EU Deforestation Regulation is likely to apply to Northern Ireland by the end of 2026. The BRC continues to inform and support members on whether and to what extent EUDR will apply and convenes a regular forum to support retailers prepare in the face of uncertainty.
An imminent outcome is also expected on whether Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) will be recommended as part of DBT’s review of Responsible Business Conduct. The BRC has strongly called for the introduction of mHREDD and vertical measures on deforestation, if delivered with the required pace and adjustments.
Global frameworks and standards are continuing to evolve towards formalising nature-related disclosures, with a global nature standard based on TNFD under consideration by the ISSB and the first global standard on biodiversity in strategy and operations published by the ISO last October.
Private investment in nature recovery is increasingly under focus by UK Government.
Defra has published a summary of responses and the Government response to the call for evidence on the role of the private sector in nature recovery. Coinciding with the Government response, BRC attended a roundtable led by the Defra Secretary of State on private investment in nature recovery and emphasised the importance of Government leveraging policy and reporting levers to build the confidence necessary for investment.
National nature plans have been updated in view of upcoming national targets.
The revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) published by Defra last December outlines a roadmap for full environmental restoration in the UK. In March, Government also published the long-awaited Land Use Framework for England. The BRC has welcomed the rapid review of the EIP and inquiry into land use and nature by the EFRA Committee, and looks forward to engaging with Government further on the delivery of the plan and the retail-relevant policies.
Retailer action on nature: BRC’s Nature Positive Plan
Year 1 of the Plan for Nature culminated in the launch of the BRC Nature Positive Plan, the first industry plan to drive targeted action on nature. Developed in partnership with RSK Group, the Nature Positive Plan will help retailers take practical, confident and coordinated action to address nature loss and climate change together.
Find out more about the case for action on nature and what we’ve done to support retailers so far.
The BRC will support retailers to implement the Plan across three pillars of activity:
Education: Supporting members on their nature journey by upskilling on how to get started and building the business case internally
Data: Encouraging standardised approaches to nature disclosures and data collection and improving supplier engagement on nature
Policy: Advocating for workable policies that enable business action on nature
How to get involved: BRC’s Plan for Nature 2026
Retail Workshop: Building Buy-in for Nature | Thursday 7 May | BRC HQ | Register
In partnership with RSK Group, this in-person workshop is designed to support retailers in building buy-in for action on nature in tandem with wider climate and human rights considerations.
Through expert insight, real-world retail case studies and a practical workshop, attendees will learn how to communicate confidently about nature-related risks, impacts, and opportunities, and explore how to turn nature commitments into action across internal governance structures and supply chains through engaging colleagues, suppliers, local partnerships, and industry peers.
Retail Nature Peer-to-Peer Group | Starting Summer 2026 | Online | Email Lou to register interest
To support retailers to take confident, coordinated action on nature, we are setting up a Nature Peer-to-Peer Group for retailers of different sizes and sectors to come together and discuss common challenges, ask questions, and share learnings.
Initial sessions will focus on topics including Nature Reporting (TNFD), Nature Definitions, Frameworks & Metrics, and Supplier Data Collection.
EUDR Working Group | Monthly | Online | Email Lou to register
The EUDR Working Group is a pre-competitive forum for retailers to hear updates from the BRC on engagement with Government regarding EUDR application in NI and GB-equivalent regulation, and discuss common concerns, questions, and challenges related to the Regulation with peers.
