Zeroboard Research Institute is seeking participating companies for the Natural Capital Research Group's 2026 program.

From "understanding" to "implementing" TNFD compliance: Realizing Nature Positive Management through Collaborative Learning

Zeroboard Inc.(Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Michitaka Tokeiji; hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), which supports corporate sustainability management, is now accepting applications from companies to participate in the 2026 (third term) "Natural Capital Study Group," hosted by the Natural Capital Team of Zeroboard Research Institute, a think tank under its umbrella.
This research group has been held continuously since its establishment in October 2024, throughout fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Starting with the LEAP approach advocated by TNFD(Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures), it aims to implement natural capital responses into corporate management through collaborative learning among corporate practitioners.

Background of the research meeting

Following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP15) in December 2022, addressing nature loss and achieving "nature positivity" have been set as international goals, and the global shift towards "nature positivity" is accelerating. The final recommendations of the TNFD , published in September 2023, require companies to identify their dependence on and impacts of natural capital, as well as the risks and opportunities, and to explain them in a financial context.

On the other hand, while Japanese companies are making progress in understanding the concept of TNFD and gathering information on other companies' case studies, they are facing practical obstacles such as "not knowing where to start," "what specifically to disclose," "how to implement it in their own strategy," and "difficulty in explaining it internally and building consensus."
The Natural Capital Research Group is a collaborative learning platform for practitioners facing these Issue.

Reports on the results of Phase 1 and Phase 2

https://www.zeroboard.jp/service/zri/#naturalcapitalresearchgroup

Event Guidelines (Phase 3)

The research group consists of lectures by experts, workshops (exercises), fieldwork, and a presentation of results. The third term has been changed to a two-part structure: first and second semesters. Participation in the second semester requires completion of the first semester.

* The Contents provided is subject to change and is based on the schedule as of the announcement date. Each session also has a minimum number of participants required. The latest event information will be provided to participating companies as it becomes available.

■First Semester "Understanding and Exploration"June to end of September 2026

Target Audience: Company representatives preparing for the full-scale implementation of TNFD reporting.
Objective: To Create a draft of your company's TNFD compliance plan while learning from other companies.
Contents (planned):
Session 1: The Concept of Natural Capital and an overview of the TNFD Recommendations
Session 2: Fundamentals of DIROs (*) Analysis Tools and Case Studies of TNFD Disclosure
Session 3: LEAP Approach Quick Session (Workshop)
On-site visit and retreat training: Scheduled for late July 2026 (Visit location: Chateau Mercian Wanko Vineyard / Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture) *Participants are responsible for round-trip transportation costs from their home/ Company to Ueda Station.
Online individual consultation: Individual responses to questions regarding the lecture Contents(30 minutes per session, one session only)

*DIROs: Abbreviation for Dependencies, Impacts, Risks, Opportunities. Refers to a company's dependence on, impacts on, risks to, and opportunities in relation to nature.

■Second Term "Strategy and Engagement"November 2026 - End of March 2027

Target audience: Corporate representatives who want to stay informed about the latest trends and implement TNFD disclosure as a strategic approach.
Contents(planned):
Session 4: Case Study (Disclosure and Goal Settings)
Session 5: Identifying Risks and Opportunities and Scenario Analysis
Session 6: Developing a Transition Plan Sharing of the Latest Trends Report (Key Points and Latest Information on International Standards such as TNFD, SBTN, and CSRD)
Online Individual Consultations (30 minutes per session, up to 2 sessions)
Presentation at the results presentation (optional): Scheduled for March 2027. Participation requirements:
Participation in the second semester requires completion of the first semester's course.
Participants in the first (2024) and second (2025) terms of the Natural Capital Research Group can also participate in the second term only.

Voices from past participants

• Through lectures by experts and group work with others, I was able to deepen my understanding of the vague concept of "corporate initiatives regarding natural capital" and begin to see it as something relevant to my own life.
• Because it was a workshop format, I was able to realize whether or not I understood the material.
• I was able to learn the entire procedure for handling this within the company, and also gain insights into trends and new information.

Experts' speaking engagements in FY2025 (by organization, listed in alphabetical order)

Axelspace Corporation, Solidaridad Japan, The Nature Conservation Society of Japan , Forest Stewardship Council Japan(FSC Japan), Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, Resona Asset Management Co., Ltd., and others.

how to apply

Companies interested in this opportunity should contact us using the form below. We will then send you the recruitment guidelines and application form.
Application deadline: End of May 2026 Form
URL: https://forms.gle/rC7yiNsnqrgUAzzSA
Secretariat: Zeroboard Research Institute, Zeroboard Inc. , Natural Capital Team (Contact: Ishimori, Nabeshima)

About the Zeroboard Research Institute's Natural Capital Team

Zeroboard Research Institute is a think tank established within Zeroboard , aiming to be a "future-oriented think tank" that provides insights into the Issue Issue Japan and the world, and proposes and disseminates solutions based on scientific judgment. Members with expertise and practical experience in various fields conduct research and studies on sustainability, as well as make policy recommendations.
zeroboard

<Natural Capital Team Members>
[Senior Fellow Masako Ishimori] Has experience in ESG information disclosure and evaluation, and sustainability management in the Manufacturing/technology sector and other areas. At Zeroboard Research Institute, she is responsible for research on natural capital information disclosure.

[Analyst Mizuki Nabeshima] Since 2017, she has been affiliated with an environmental NGO, where she is in charge of Education and outreach, membership management, finance and accounting, and general affairs. She joined Zeroboard in October 2023. At Zeroboard Research Institute, she is in charge of research on natural capital information disclosure.

[Visiting Researcher Keiichiro Fujiwara] For 18 years, he has worked in the Manufacturing/corporate sector, supporting certification acquisition for raw material production sites and handling ESG compliance such as CDPs, TCFD, and TNFD. Since September 2024, he has been a visiting researcher at Zeroboard Research Institute, where he is in charge of natural capital information disclosure research.

Company Overview

Company name: Zeroboard Inc. Inc. (https://www.zeroboard.jp/ )
Location: 10 floor, Sumitomo Fudosan Tokyo Mita South Tower, 3-5-27 Mita Minato -ku, Tokyo
Representative: CEO Michitaka Tokeiji
Established: August 24, 2021
Service: Development and provision of ESG information centralization solution "Zeroboard Sustainability Platform" / Consulting on sustainability management / Operation of Community "All Aboard""All Aboard!"

Overview of Zeroboard Sustainability Platform

This comprehensive cloud solution supports the collection, management, and disclosure of ESG-related data. With a wide range of products, it seamlessly supports the processes required for sustainability management, including ESG disclosure.

• " Zeroboard " - a cloud Service for calculating GHG (greenhouse gas) emission amount and managing environmental items
• ESG legal disclosure cloud Service"Zeroboard ESG"
• Dataseed SAQ: A platform for streamlining survey distribution and response.

With these products as a core, we provide industry-specific products, various optional functions, and consulting for compliance with regulations and complex calculations, thereby supporting corporate sustainability management.

[Webinars for businesses are currently being held]
Our company holds monthly webinars for businesses on decarbonization management. These webinars cover the latest trends in decarbonization both domestically and internationally, as well as how to utilize "Zeroboard." Please register to attend. For more details, please visit the events page on our website.

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