The French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) and the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) have just unveiled ACT Biodiversity. This new methodology aims to assess the credibility and robustness of companies’ biodiversity strategies, thereby fulfilling a commitment set out in the National Biodiversity Strategy (SNB3).
The result of three years of research, methodological development, consultation with stakeholders and pilot schemes with major French companies, ACT Biodiversity aims to become a benchmark framework to support economic actors in the conservation of biodiversity.
The following links allow you to view the full methodology (PDF), the report on the field trial carried out with 13 participating companies (PDF) and to register for the introductory webinar, organised by ADEME and OFB on 30 June at 1.30 pm, to learn about the method alongside teams from both agencies.
A methodological framework inspired by ACT climate assessment methods
Inspired by the ACT (Accelerate Climate Transition) method, which has already been adopted by more than 3,000 companies, ACT Biodiversity applies this approach to the management of nature-related issues.
The methodology is set against a rapidly evolving regulatory and standards-based landscape. In particular, it meets the requirements of the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and aligns with the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15 in Kunming-Montréal. It also takes into account recognised voluntary frameworks, such as the TNFD (Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) and SBTN (Science Based Targets for Nature).
This method is primarily aimed at organisations that have already developed a biodiversity strategy based on an analysis of their impacts and dependencies.
Measuring organisations’ alignment with scientific objectives
The aim of the methodology is to assess the extent to which a company contributes to reducing the main drivers of biodiversity loss identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
- land-use change;
- the exploitation of natural resources;
- climate change;
- pollution;
- invasive alien species.
In addition to analysing the commitments made, ACT Biodiversité also assesses the credibility of its action plan and the results achieved. The approach is designed to be both comprehensive and operational, incorporating the upstream value chain, from direct activities right through to raw material suppliers.
A sector-based approach for the activities with the greatest impact
Although applicable to all sectors, the method incorporates specific indicators for four key sectors: agriculture, construction, chemicals and energy.
To assess the level of ambition of the measures implemented, teams from ADEME and OFB carried out a major scientific and bibliographic review. This enabled the creation of sector-specific best-practice frameworks, which serve as the basis for evaluating the operational measures implemented by companies.
The aim is twofold: to support businesses in a structured process of collecting and analysing data relating to their impact on biodiversity, whilst promoting actions that tangibly reduce the pressures on ecosystems.
Furthermore, this assessment will serve as a key stepping stone towards gaining recognition under the OFB’s ‘Businesses Committed to Nature’ (EEN) programme.
A methodology developed collectively
The development of ACT Biodiversity has brought together a wide network of experts and economic stakeholders. Alongside ADEME and the OFB, a technical working group comprising, amongst others, WWF, BL Evolution, I Care, Utopies and CDC Biodiversité contributed to the development of the framework.
A public consultation held in 2025 also enabled input to be gathered from a number of external experts.
The methodology was finally tested as part of a full-scale trial conducted by the consultancy EVEA involving thirteen major French companies, including Bouygues, Carrefour, Cooperl, Eiffage, ENGIE Solutions, Michelin, Pierre Fabre, RATP, Renault, Veolia, WPD France and Yoplait. This pilot phase enabled the framework to be refined and its relevance confirmed prior to its official publication.