GRI Exam ESRS-Professional Topic 1 Question 6 Discussion

Nature is indeed recognized as a 'silent stakeholder' in the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This term implies that, although nature cannot actively voice its concerns, it remains a critical component of sustainability reporting due to its fundamental role in sustaining life and economic activity. ESRS emphasizes that organizations must consider their impacts on nature, ecosystems, and biodiversity as part of their sustainability disclosures.

This recognition aligns with the concept of double materiality embedded in the ESRS framework, which considers both the financial impact on an organization and the organization's impact on environmental and social matters. The ESRS explicitly integrates biodiversity and ecosystems (ESRS E4) as a key topic, reflecting the need to account for the effects of business activities on nature, even if nature itself cannot actively advocate for protection.

The silent stakeholder concept reinforces the duty of care that organizations hold in assessing and mitigating their impacts on biodiversity, land use, pollution, and natural resources. This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, both of which emphasize the protection and restoration of natural ecosystems.

Official Reference:

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772 of 31 July 2023 (ESRS E4 - Biodiversity and Ecosystems).

EFRAG Guidance on Stakeholder Engagement -- Highlights nature as an affected stakeholder in sustainability matters.

EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 -- Emphasizes that economic activities must integrate ecosystem preservation and restoration.

This confirms that the statement is true under ESRS standards.