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Measuring the benefits of nature

RECOGNISE.

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First, we recognise our connection to a location in nature.

ACCOUNT.

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Then we use natural capital accounting to measure the benefits nature provides.

DECIDE.

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This information is used to support decision-making.

UNDERSTANDING NATURAL CAPITAL

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The Natural Capital Protocol defines natural capital as the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (e.g., plants, animals, air, water, soils,
minerals) that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.

Nature doesn’t exist in isolation; people and communities are connected to it.

Nature provides us with enormous benefits.

We can measure some of these benefits in a financial sense but nature also provides benefits beyond dollar amounts.

Natural capital accountants measure natural capital and the benefits it provides.

 

What we do

We use natural capital approaches to measure our connection to nature, leading to informed decisions and sustainable outcomes.

We work with governments, businesses and communities in Australia and around the world.

We use world-leading technology and methodologies to measure the benefits of nature for our clients and partners.

Global leaders in the natural capital space, Mark Eigenraam and Carl Obst, founded IDEEA Group in 2015.

We can help you use natural capital accounting to improve your business and inform stakeholders about the benefits you are creating for the community and the environment.

We work with you in a phased approach, tailored to your needs.

Our proven processes capture and present the benefits of nature in a cost-effective way.

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Advisory services

We design strategies for organisations to improve their management of natural capital. We ensure your business considers the latest developments in economics, accounting and science.

Read more about our advisory services

Environmental markets. We can assist with all aspects of environmental market design and operation. This creates new opportunities with your existing assets and drive economically efficient environmental management and resource allocation.

Sustainable finance. We support the design of products such as blue/green bonds and sustainability-linked financial products with our knowledge of market design and natural capital accounting.

Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures. The TNFD framework includes a four-pillar LEAP approach and provides principles for financial disclosure and assessing risks and opportunities concerning natural capital. We will help you prepare for and understand TNFD. Read more about our approach to TNFD here (PDF).

Environmental Social and Governance. We establish reporting, strategic and risk management solutions that are underpinned by data and demonstrate appropriate governance. This enables accurate reporting against targets and objectives, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Analysis and insights

We work with organisations to understand the way they use and rely on natural capital. We use data analysis and quantitative techniques to do this.

Read more about our analysis and insights services

Science-based targets. Using a natural capital approach, we work with you to establish rigorous, local scale carbon, water and biodiversity targets for land use and nature restoration.

Risk and opportunities. As nature declines, natural capital is put at risk and nature’s capacity to produce ecosystem services is reduced. The way that an organisation relies on these ecosystem services will translate into financial risks for the organisation but, equally, there may be opportunities from investing in ecosystems.

Scenario analysis. We analyse standard and custom-tailored scenarios that incorporate physical and transition risk to enable an understand your risk exposure, strategic objectives, and the interplay between climate change and nature.

Supply chain analysis. We provide a comprehensive view of risks and opportunities in supply chains by mapping the flows of environmental inputs to standard supply chains, describing environmental footprints and carbon balances, supporting extended input-output and CGE modelling, and analysing productivity.

Co-benefit analysis and reporting. Co-benefit analysis enables an understanding of habitat and species indicators, ecosystem health indicators, ecosystem service valuation and the measurement of Gross Ecosystem Product.

Certification. Gain comfort over the data and reporting requirements for entry into key markets to ensure your social license to operate.

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Accounting services

We compile natural capital accounts for private and public sector organisations.

Read more about our accounting services

Natural capital accounts for governments. We work with organisations to create a set of accounts that use the United Nation’s global standard, the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), and include measures of natural capital wealth, enhancement and degradation.

Corporate Natural Capital Accounts. We build a register of environmental assets as the basis for a natural capital Balance Sheet and Income Statement. We apply relevant corporate guidance including the Natural Capital Protocol, British Standards Institute (BS 8632) for Organisations and the Biodiversity Protocol.

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Data services

We provide a complete range of natural capital data services. We assess natural capital related information systems and data. We provide advice for improving natural capital information management and develop business information standards. We also offer training in natural capital data management and accounting.

Read more about our data services

Data management and transformation including sourcing information from geospatial and satellite technology.

Ecosystem services modelling and valuation that builds on an understanding of asset condition.

Framework and systems design to suit an organisation’s needs.

Data quality assessment and assurance to give you peace of mind that your data is effectively measuring the benefits of nature.

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Tools

We provide tailored software and tools for you to organise natural capital data and create information products that inform decision making. Find out more at www.data4nature.com.au.

 

Who we are

GETTING TO KNOW US

IDEEA Group are world leaders in natural capital accounting. We provide best-practice policy, strategic advice, methods and tools for the management of natural capital.

We apply an ecosystem-based spatial approach to support the management of natural capital. This is in line with the United Nations global standards on natural capital accounting described in the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (UN SEEA).

We’re a group of economists, data scientists and environmental accountants who understand natural capital accounting through and through.

We’re based in Melbourne, Australia, but we work with organisations around the globe.

Want to know more?

Meet our experienced team.

 

Our news

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We’re looking forward to PLC24

We’re looking forward to attending and exhibiting at the Private Land Conservation conference (PLC24) in…

Capitals Coalition launches new Beta Framework for Integrated Decision-Making

The Capitals Coalition has announced the launch of the new Beta Framework for Integrated Decision-Making…

How effective is your environmental storytelling?

In her recent Quarterly Essay, titled Highway to Hell, author and climate change scientist Joelle…

How do we measure ecosystems at risk?

So many of our ecosystems are at risk, reflecting changes in biodiversity and ongoing decline…

Filter

European forest accounts handbook

After months of hard work, we’re excited to celebrate the release of the 2024 edition…

Updates to the document underpinning the global economy

The System of National Accounts (SNA) underpins the global economy. The SNA describes the agreed…

Can you use the SEEA at a site level? The answer is yes.

It’s quite common to think of the System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA) as a…

Australia’s Nature Positive laws

Some important laws about nature are currently working their way through the legislative process in…

OUR CLIENTS AND PARTNERS

Our clients come from sectors involved in natural resource management all around the world, and each faces unique opportunities and challenges.
In parallel to our client work, we deliver enormous value to the research sector in Australia and around the world. We develop papers, theories and approaches in collaboration with partner institutions.

Forico

AWS

NCC

Infrastructure Victoria

Irland EPA

SANBI

UNDP

United Nations

The World Bank

OECD

Australian Government