Guide to using public biodiversity data in the private sector

Over half of global GDP depends on ecosystem services. As frameworks such as CSRD and TNFD take hold, businesses are under growing pressure to make biodiversity risks, dependencies, and impacts visible in decision-making. Many organisations cite a lack of usable biodiversity data as a key barrier. In reality, vast amounts of biodiversity and nature-related data already exist. These data are produced by research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, citizen science initiatives, and private actors, and are increasingly accessible through public platforms and tools.

The challenge is not scarcity, but usability: knowing where to look, what data is fit for purpose, how to interpret it, and how to apply it responsibly in a business context. Importantly, organisations do not need perfect or complete biodiversity data to begin acting. Many companies and financial institutions are already using available public datasets to identify priorities, inform decisions, and build internal capacity. Starting with fit-for-purpose data, and improving over time, is often more effective than waiting for ideal information.

This guide helps bridge that gap. It explains how companies and financial institutions can find, assess, and use public biodiversity data to inform strategy, operations, and reporting.