How can businesses take nature into account? Corporate nature action just became easier

Biodiversity loss poses significant risks to companies, for example through raw-material supply chains. At the same time, tackling biodiversity loss opens up new business opportunities for companies. But how does a company get started?

In many companies the work is already under way, but often the practical implementation feels fragmented and burdensome. Support is needed particularly in interpreting the numerous frameworks, accessing relevant data, and in how nature is brought into strategy and day-to-day decisions.

Sitra’s memorandum, Operational model for corporate nature action and sectoral biodiversity roadmaps in Finland, provides a comprehensive overview of how corporate nature action progresses and the role that sectoral biodiversity roadmaps play in supporting it.

At the heart of the memorandum is a journey with four steps: assess, commit, transform and disclose. This approach helps companies make use of international frameworks such as TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) and SBTN (Science Based Targets Network).

“Corporate nature action is a strategic choice for companies. When it moves from individual initiatives to consistent practice, risks turn into opportunities. This can strengthen security of supply, open new markets and enhance long-term competitiveness,” says Sitra specialist Samuli Puroila.

The memorandum was prepared with funding from the EU Technical Support Instrument in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Practical examples open the door to change

The memorandum is based on company and industry interviews conducted in autumn 2025. In the interviews, companies called for clear examples and easy-to-adopt tools. Small and medium-sized enterprises value simplicity, a practical approach and concrete support, while large companies seek help with interpreting standards and developing sector-specific solutions.

Sectoral biodiversity roadmaps, which the Government Programme also encourages sectors to draw up, can serve as a fast track for companies. At their best, roadmaps provide a shared situation analysis, prioritised actions, indicators and a phased timeline, and support implementation through means such as training, workshops and peer learning.

The training programme piloted by Sitra and the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (CFCI) in 2025 demonstrated that a strong roadmap creates a good foundation for putting practical measures into action.

The memorandum also recognises that the content of the roadmaps varies and that they need to be developed further to improve comparability and impact.

A shared direction brings clarity and support for everyday choices

The memorandum offers four recommendations for supporting corporate nature action and strengthening biodiversity roadmaps:

1. A clear national framework is needed to guide corporate nature action.
2. Sectoral biodiversity roadmaps should be updated and expanded through a coordinated, ministry-led process.
3. Implementation support should be strengthened through capacity building, practical tools and peer learning.
4. Nature data and the knowledge base should be strengthened to support assessment, monitoring and disclosure.

The work is linked to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and to the EU Technical Support Instrument (TSI), which supports member states in preparing biodiversity finance plans.

contact

Samuli Puroila

Specialist, Programmes

Eero Jalava

Senior Lead, Foresight and Training