A3-01 Development of methods for assessing the impacts of the utilization of biomass resources on natural capital

Principal Investigator

KADOYA Taku (National Institute for Environmental Studies)

Research and Development Overview

The Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework requires companies to report and mitigate various nature-related risks inherent in their supply chains.

This research aims to establish a TNFD-compliant assessment framework by refining the methodology for evaluating the impact of biomass resource use, including biomass plastics, on natural capital. Specifically, the goal is to facilitate the evaluation of biodiversity impacts through the development of biodiversity indicators, supply chain analysis, and mapping of agricultural and livestock production, particularly those typically used as biomass resources.

To achieve this, information will be reviewed regarding the status of initiatives and assessment methods related to the evaluation and disclosure of impacts on natural capital in response to the TNFD. Utilizing this information, tools for a global-scale assessment of the natural capital impact inherent in the biomass resource supply chain, including agricultural crops, will be developed, especially concerning biodiversity, which is expected to be significantly affected by agricultural production activities among the natural capitals.

Furthermore, we will collaborate with companies directly or indirectly involved in the biomass resource supply chain to develop impact assessment methods on a company-by-company basis. Through these efforts, we aim to develop an assessment method that aligns with the TNFD framework in sectors related to biomass resource use, ultimately contributing to the establishment of a circular economy system by facilitating its implementation.