Nature Policy Bulletin - October 2025
Catch up on nature policy news from around the world.
Countries prepare for the first Global Biodiversity Framework stocktake to take place at COP17
Countries prepare for the first Global Biodiversity Framework stocktake to take place at COP17
A year from now, countries will gather in Armenia for Biodiversity COP17 for the first Global Biodiversity Framework stocktake since its adoption in 2022. The stocktake will answer important questions: Is the world on track to meet the 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework? And how can we accelerate progress?
A key milestone in the stocktake process is the meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA). At this meeting in Panama City in October, delegates agreed on the backbone of the COP17 discussions next year, creating a draft outline of the first GBF progress report.
The progress report will provide a critical assessment of collective progress toward the global targets. It will review national implementation through National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to identify remaining gaps. The report will also outline the necessary next steps to accelerate the delivery of all 23 targets.
Action supporting the Global Biodiversity Framework was also discussed at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress. Held in Abu Dhabi, it brought together governments, scientists and civil society to adopt nearly 150 resolutions and the Abu Dhabi Call to Action. This call emphasized science and finance, justice, inclusivity and the need for stronger multilateral efforts. Reflecting discussions at SBSTTA, the connection between biodiversity and climate was a key part of the IUCN resolutions, which will continue to be key theme at COP30 in November and COP17.
Although governments and organizations are laying the groundwork for the stocktake and are rightly considering the connection between nature and climate, they must not wait for the findings to take action. To speed up implementation, governments must strengthen the laws and policies needed to support large-scale business action, a level playing field, and a stable operating environment.
You can read more on how to accelerate the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework with Business for Nature’s policy recommendations.
EU sustainability rules hang in the balance
Uncertainty continues to define Europe’s sustainability agenda, with fast-paced backsliding on several key pieces of legislation opening the door to potential deregulation and leaving businesses scrambling to understand how the proposed changes will affect them.
Reopening of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – The European Commission has proposed amendments to the EUDR - the EU’s flagship anti-deforestation law, including:
Keeping the 2025 deadline for medium and large companies, with a six-month grace period and a one-year implementation delay for micro and small enterprises*.
Reduced reporting obligations for “downstream” operators like retailers and manufacturers, and for Micro and small enterprises from low deforestation risk countries, a move that risk creating loopholes and weakening the regulation’s integrity.
This is a disappointing development just a few months before the law was supposed to enter into force, with many businesses having spent millions preparing for compliance. The Commission’s proposal is causing immediate legal uncertainty for companies and affecting EU competitiveness. It erodes prior compliance investments, burdening responsible companies with extra costs, while rewarding those who ignored the rules.
Uncertainty also continues to loom over two of the EU's cornerstone sustainability regulations: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
In July, we explained that the Council of the European Union had already set its positions on the Omnibus Package and that the European Parliament was still discussing its own position to start the negotiations.
After months of discussions, the leading parliamentary committee reached a first compromise. This agreement, suggests significantly reducing the scope of the regulations - for CSRD by around 90%, and for the CSDDD by 70%. These cutbacks significantly weaken their potential to deliver on crucial sustainability goals.
However, in an unexpected turn, the full European Parliament rejected this compromise. The rejection came from a divided Parliament, with some arguing the compromise was too weak while others believed it went too far, leaving an uncertain path forward. A new vote for the entire Parliament to define its position is scheduled for 13 November where lawmakers could further weaken the directives, undermining the level playing field needed for credible business action on nature.
This ongoing uncertainty threatens to weaken both the response to urgent environmental issues like deforestation and long-term competitiveness. Repeated delays or further changes unfairly penalize leading companies that have already invested in compliance, while shrinking scopes do not necessarily lessen the reporting burden; they merely fragment it. For businesses, a clear and predictable sustainability framework remains essential for fair competition, boosting investor confidence, and supporting long-term planning.
Contact Business for Nature if your business is interested in engaging on this topic.
*Micro-enterprise: fewer than 10 employees, net turnover less than €700,000, and balance sheet total less than €350,000.
Small Enterprise: less than 50 employees and either net turnover less than €8 million or balance sheet total less than €4 million.
Rwanda updates its biodiversity strategy
In positive news from Africa, Rwanda has released its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligning national priorities with the Global Biodiversity Framework - becoming one of amost 60 countries to do so.
The strategy focuses on five key priorities: restoring degraded ecosystems; integrating biodiversity into development planning; mobilizing finance for nature-positive investments; improving information for better decision making; and promoting inclusive conservation that benefits local communities.
To implement the plan, Rwanda aims to raise USD 300 million over five years to support biodiversity projects, green business initiatives and enhanced environmental standards.
Chile launches national biodiversity certification scheme
Chile is pioneering a new way to connect business action with nature finance. The country has just launched its Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Certification System (SCB).
This new voluntary system allows companies to obtain official, verified certification for their activities, practices or sites that have positive impacts on nature. The certificates are designed to help mobilize new investment for conservation and restoration projects, turning credible nature action into tangible financial opportunities.
Caught up on October? Go back to the September Bulletin to catch up on previous nature policy stories from around the world.
Caught up on October? Go back to the September Bulletin to catch up on previous nature policy stories from around the world.