Nature is indeed recognized as a "silent stakeholder" in the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This term implies that, although nature cannot actively voice its concerns, it remains a critical component of sustainability reporting due to its fundamental role in sustaining life and economic activity. ESRS emphasizes that organizations must consider their impacts on nature, ecosystems, and biodiversity as part of their sustainability disclosures.
This recognition aligns with the concept ofdouble materialityembedded in the ESRS framework, which considers both the financial impact on an organization and the organization's impact on environmental and social matters. The ESRS explicitly integratesbiodiversity and ecosystems (ESRS E4)as a key topic, reflecting the need to account for the effects of business activities on nature, even if nature itself cannot actively advocate for protection.
Thesilent stakeholderconcept reinforces theduty of carethat organizations hold in assessing and mitigating their impacts on biodiversity, land use, pollution, and natural resources. This aligns with theUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)and theEU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, both of which emphasize the protection and restoration of natural ecosystems.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772 of 31 July 2023(ESRS E4 - Biodiversity and Ecosystems).
EFRAG Guidance on Stakeholder Engagement– Highlights nature as an affected stakeholder in sustainability matters.
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030– Emphasizes that economic activities must integrate ecosystem preservation and restoration.
Official References:This confirms that the statement istrueunder ESRS standards.
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