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Biodiversity Benefit Accounting Report

Report

Global

Publication date: February 23, 2026

File format: PDF

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Surveys of Northwestern Pond Turtles in California’s Bay Area revealed low but widespread occurrence of Emydomyces testavorans, with pathogen loads far lower than those in Washington populations. Despite this low prevalence, turtles showed high rates of shell disease, underscoring the need to investigate other ecological or genetic factors driving disease in the region.

Subject Tags

  • Ecosystem management

Excutive Summary

BioBA provides companies with a structured, science-based framework to integrate biodiversity into corporate water stewardship projects. Addressing the gap in tools for measuring biodiversity benefits, the guidance aligns with global nature‑positive initiatives and complements existing water benefit accounting methods. BioBA supports practitioners through defining biodiversity objectives, planning and implementing aligned activities, selecting suitable indicators and metrics, and communicating results. It distinguishes between outputs—direct, tangible results of project actions—and outcomes, which reflect measurable changes in biodiversity such as ecosystem extent, condition or species. BioBA introduces a seven-step methodology to help companies determine the appropriate level of analysis, quantify benefits and evaluate outcomes when possible. Through this approach, BioBA enables organizations to prioritize biodiversity, improve transparency and strengthen the multi-benefit value of their stewardship investments.

Citation

Brill, G., R. Lo, L. Weintraub, M. Platz, W. Larson, J. Barnes, P. Lichtenthal, D. Carlin, A. Curwin, T. Dekker, N. Ofosu-Amaah, K. Vigerstol, R. Grossinger, M. Wheeler (2026). Biodiversity Benefit Accounting: Guidance for quantifying and evaluating the biodiversity benefits of water stewardship projects. Pacific Institute, United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate, LimnoTech, The Nature Conservancy, Second Nature Ecology + Design. https://ceowatermandate.org/biodiversity/guide

TNC Authors

  • Peter Lichtenthal
    Biodiversity & Nature Specialist. Corporate Engagement
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: p.lichtenthal@tnc.org

  • Naabia Ofosu-Amaah
    SR Corporate Engagement Advisor, Water & Resilience. Corporate Engagement
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: n.ofosu-amaah@tnc.org

  • Kari Vigerstol
    Dir. Water Security Science. Provide Food and Water
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: kvigerstol@tnc.org