Nature Positive Role of the Technology Sector 2025

Criteria for determining materiality ratings TABLE A2 Nature-loss driversRating criteria Low Medium High Water management Water abstraction and use as inputsIndustry has low demand or alternatives to minimize use, with minimal to no impact on local resourcesConsistently utilized for industry growth, but alternatives to minimize use exist; has a noticeable impact on water resources but can be managedNecessary for industry growth with few alternatives; creates significant impact on local water systems, impacting ecology and communities Pollution and waste Land, freshwater, and ocean pollution from storage & disposal of by-products, exhausts and wastesPollution and waste are minimal; any remaining outputs are consistently handled through an established processesPollution and waste are common by-products, but recycling and management practices exist and can be adoptedSubstantial pollution and waste are produced, with costly solutions and low rates of formal management GHG Release of GHG emissionsOperations produce little to no GHG emissions or emissions exist in a closed system that enable full capture and mitigationModerate GHG emissions are produced, with opportunities to manage through a combination of efficiency, carbon capture or other methodsSubstantial GHG emissions are a by-product of core operations, with limited or no ability to mitigate Land use Land clearance and exploitation for inputs and space for facility developmentLittle to no impact on land and local flora and fauna, with operations able to fully or almost fully coexistFacilities require developed land but impact on local systems can be managed to minimize disruptions and coexistOperations are dependent on irreparable land degradation with loss of local ecosystems and biodiversity Electricity use Electricity inputsDaily power draw provides no strain on typical and existing energy infrastructure or is provided fully through onsite sourcesIndustrial levels of power requiring moderate upgrades to local energy infrastructure, utilizing a mix of sourcesSubstantial power draw required, requiring major upgrades to local energy infrastructure; regulators may limit new developments to manageMateriality matrix The sector-average assessment of the top drivers of nature loss shown in Figure 9: Materiality matrix was developed through qualitative assessment, as shown in Table A2 below and supported by the UN Environment Programme’s initiative Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure (ENCORE).231 This output was tested with business, civil society and academic industry experts via interviews and consultation workshops and the final ratings were adapted based on the feedback provided. Note that e-waste is captured under Hardware/ electronics in the Pollution & waste row. Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector 65