Electricity networks recognise the need to address the environmental impacts of their global supply chains now more than ever.
The NATURE project, led by Accenture in partnership with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and SP Energy Networks (SPEN), analysed nature and biodiversity risks in supply chains by bringing together purchasing data, scientific approaches and location-based analysis.
The project team developed an innovative and replicable tool that can help identify nature-related risks and opportunities, laying the groundwork for more sustainable purchasing and stronger engagement with suppliers across the transmission sector.
The Challenge
As electricity networks pursue net zero, they must also consider their impact and dependency on nature; the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) set out targets for businesses and nations to align ambition on addressing their biodiversity risks and dependencies.
Despite this, questions remain around the nature-related risks in electricity transmission supply chains, including material extraction and manufacturing, plus transportation, that are affecting ecosystems across the world.
With guidance from frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), networks could be unprepared for future reporting requirements without adequate understanding of their nature-related supply chain impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities.
The NATURE project responded to this urgent need by co-creating a methodology and interactive dashboard to map and assess supply chain impacts on biodiversity. It identified key procurement categories and geographies with the highest nature risks, helping partners make more responsible, informed decisions.
Crucially, the work also established a collaborative, pre-competitive foundation for joint industry action, enabling the networks to use their purchasing power to drive sector-wide improvements in supply chain sustainability.
The Journey
Phase one:
- Co-created a methodology and tool, plus mapped existing scope 3 carbon / procurement data to standard industry classifications
- Conducted input output modelling and analysis of nature and biodiversity datasets (eg the Natural History Museum’s Biodiversity Intactness Index and the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Aqueduct), and prioritised categories, suppliers and geographies (at a country-level) for action
- Produced partner-specific interactive dashboards highlighting the most material upstream nature and biodiversity risks and opportunities, along with action plans to mitigate risks and capture opportunities
Phase two:
- Extended the analysis to the state-of-nature at the Nth tier of NGET’s supply chain (ie locations of mine sites) and provided specific recommended actions
- Calculated a business case for action to justify investment on initiatives that build supply chain resilience
- Refined the dashboard to include the new findings and improved it for business as usual (BAU) use by procurement teams
- Designed infographics to support internal and external engagement.
The Resolution
The project created a replicable, science-informed approach to evaluating nature-related risks and opportunities in electricity transmission supply chains. Through a combination of procurement data, readily available global nature and biodiversity datasets and geospatial analysis, the project produced actionable insights and an interactive dashboard for each partner.
Environmental benefits include identifying critical nature and biodiversity dependencies, enabling targeting of actions that can reduce upstream habitat degradation, water stress, and pollution. The methodology helps networks embed nature-positive strategies into procurement and material sourcing.
Financial benefits arise from improved supply chain resilience through better risk management and more strategic supplier engagement, which in-turn can reduce costs through lowering instances of nature-related supply disruptions which can create commodity price increases.
Social benefits stem from enabling collaborative and pre-competitive action across the sector and improving transparency. The work fosters early alignment with evolving regulatory frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and supports internal education for teams across procurement, risk, and sustainability.
The project has already strengthened engagement between the networks and externally, forming a practical basis for broader nature-positive procurement practices across the UK’s electricity infrastructure.
What’s Next?
The project outputs will be embedded into procurement strategies and supplier engagement programmes. Key priorities include improving supply chain resilience to reduce costs, driving supply chain traceability and transparency, integrating nature and biodiversity metrics into tendering, and sharing findings with the wider industry.
Partners will also work toward collective action in high-impact categories, expand data granularity, and use the tool and its insights to inform long-term sustainability and risk planning. This work sets the foundation for TNFD-aligned reporting and drives progress towards Target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Businesses Assess, Disclose and Reduce Biodiversity-Related Risks and Negative Impacts.
Why NIA Funding Was Essential
Project NATURE addressed a sector-wide gap by developing the first nature and biodiversity-focused supply chain methodology tailored to electricity networks. This work required significant innovation, including advanced data mapping, stakeholder coordination, and development of a flexible, transferrable tool.
NIA funding enabled pre-competitive collaboration between transmission operators – an essential but rarely feasible approach in commercial environments. It also supported work at a low Technology Readiness Level (TRL), beyond the scope of routine procurement or ESG reporting.
Without NIA support, the depth of analysis, cross-sector alignment and delivery of practical tools would not have been possible. The funding allowed partners to build internal capabilities and contribute towards meeting the goals of the TNFD and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Most importantly, it ensured that electricity networks are equipped to meet the rising expectations for environmental disclosure and performance, in ways that drive business value, and that are technically robust and environmentally meaningful.