Attribution Protocol Consultation.

Help shape the future of credible environmental attribution.

Our approach.

Accounting for Nature is developing an Attribution Protocol to support credible, transparent and evidence-based attribution in environmental accounting to support Environmental Account Holders and environmental markets.

As demand for reliable nature-related information grows, it is increasingly important to understand how environmental outcomes are attributed to management actions or interventions, what evidence supports attribution claims, and how the limitations and uncertainties associated with those claims should be communicated.

Accounting for Nature is inviting stakeholders to contribute to the development of the draft Attribution Protocol. Consultation feedback will help inform the Protocol's scope, requirements and practical application.

Your input will help shape the Protocol before it is finalised.

About the Attribution Protocol.

The draft Attribution Protocol aims to establish a clear and consistent approach to environmental attribution within the Accounting for Nature® Framework to support credible, transparent and evidence-based attribution in environmental accounting.

It has been developed through a collaborative process, with the University of Oxford as co-author and contributions from The Biodiversity Consultancy. A series of workshops in the UK and Australia with key stakeholders has also informed its development, bringing together broad perspectives and expertise to help shape the proposed approach.

This work aims to strengthen the integrity of environmental reporting through a scientifically robust, practical approach to attribution, clarifying what can reasonably be attributed to actions, the evidence required, and how uncertainty, contributing factors and limitations should be addressed.

Building on this work, we are now inviting broader stakeholder feedback through a formal public consultation. This next stage of consultation will provide an opportunity to test the proposed approach, identify areas for improvement and ensure the Protocol is relevant, practical and credible across different Environmental Account applications and contexts.

The Consultation Paper and draft Protocol outline the proposed approach to attribution and identify the key areas where stakeholder feedback is sought. The feedback received will inform the refinement of the Protocol before it is finalised.

Why your input matters.

Developing a credible attribution approach requires input from a broad range of perspectives, including science, environmental management, assurance, policy and environmental markets.

Accounting for Nature welcomes feedback from anyone with an interest in environmental accounting and attribution, including:

  • Scientists and technical experts.

  • Environmental Account Holders, Accredited Experts and Auditors.

  • Environmental market participants, investors and businesses.

  • Government agencies and policy organisations.

  • Standards organisations and research institutions.

  • Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

  • Other organisations and individuals with relevant expertise or experience.

Feedback will help Accounting for Nature assess the scientific rigour, practical application and clarity of the proposed requirements.

Consultation documents.

Consultation Paper

Draft Attribution Protocol

Draft Attribution Protocol: sets out the proposed principles, approach, requirements and considerations for application of the Protocol.

Consultation Paper: explains the purpose, scope and proposed approach, and outlines the key questions for feedback.

Consultation Response Form

Consultation Response Form: provides a structured way to submit comments and recommendations.

How to participate.

Stakeholders are invited to review the consultation documents and provide written feedback during the consultation period.

Submissions may address the consultation questions or provide comments on specific sections of the draft Protocol. Respondents are encouraged to identify any practical challenges, unintended consequences, gaps or opportunities for improvement, and to suggest alternative wording where appropriate.

You can participate by:

  1. Reviewing the Consultation Paper and draft Protocol.

  2. Completing the Consultation Response Form or preparing a written submission.

  3. Submitting your feedback using the details provided below.

Consultation period: 22 October 2026 – 26 February 2027

Submit feedback: written submissions emailed to feedback@accountingfornature.org or complete the Consultation Response Form.

Register: for a Consultation Webinar session to hear more about the proposed Protocol, ask questions and provide feedback.

Consultation webinar sessions:

Session 1 - UK, Europe & North America
Date: Thursday 3 December 2026
Time: 2pm - 2:45pm (GMT)

Session 2 - Asia pacific region
Date: Tuesday 8 December 2026
Time: 2pm - 2:45pm (AEST)

Register to attend

Complete the registration form below to reserve your place. Webinar access details will be sent to registered participants ahead of the session. Your participation will help inform the development of a credible, practical and evidence-based approach to environmental attribution.

Webinar Registration

What happens next?

Accounting for Nature will review submissions and consider the feedback received when refining the Attribution Protocol.

Material feedback will be assessed through the relevant technical and governance processes including the Independent Science Committee and the Standards and Integrity Committee. Following consultation, Accounting for Nature intends to publish the final Protocol alongside a summary of the consultation process and how feedback informed its development, subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements.

The final Protocol will be published following the required review and approval processes. Further information about its commencement and implementation arrangements will be communicated in due course.

Have your say.

Accounting for Nature welcomes constructive feedback from stakeholders across science, industry, government and the broader environmental community.

Your contribution will help inform the development of a credible and practical approach to environmental attribution.

Help shape a more transparent and evidence-based approach to environmental attribution.

Submit Feedback

Meet the Attribution Protocol Design Team.

  • Professor Hugh Possingham

    CHIEF SCIENTIST

    Accounting for Nature

  • Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland

    UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

    Department of Biology

  • Dr Molly Grace

    UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

  • Dr Malcolm Starky

    THE BIODIVERSITY CONSULTANCY

  • Edward Pollard

    ACCOUNTING FOR NATURE

  • Dr Laura Sonter

    THE BIODIVERSITY CONSULTANCY

  • Dr Edwin Pynegar

    THE BIODIVERSITY CONSULTANCY

  • Dr Elise Verhoeven

    ACCOUNTING FOR NATURE

  • Chrissy Elmer

    ACCOUNTING FOR NATURE

  • Dr Amanda Hansson

    ACCOUNTING FOR NATURE

  • "The draft Attribution Protocol builds on Accounting for Nature’s science-based approach to environmental accounting by addressing a critical next question: what can the available evidence tell us about the relationship between actions and environmental outcomes?"

    — Professor Hugh Possingham

  • "Developing a transparent approach to attribution is important if nature-related investment is to be supported by credible evidence rather than assumptions. This consultation is an opportunity to examine how attribution can be approached rigorously, while being clear about uncertainty and the limits of what can be claimed.”

    — Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland

  • "The ‘causal revolution’ has transformed the practice of attribution in ecology and conservation science. This ground-breaking protocol brings this science to a business and finance audience, giving them a practical but robust means of attributing positive ecological outcomes to their actions, demonstrating return on investment, and building the business case for further action."

    Dr Malcolm Starkey