NbS Triple Win Toolkit: Biodiversity Indicators in Context 27 Indicators are measurements across space and time that are used to report the state or identify change in a variable of interest, such as biodiversity29. Indicators can be useful to summarise trends and communicate data to a wide range of audiences. They are not designed to incorporate all information possible about the variable of interest but are intended to be indicative of wider changes30. Indicators can be used to monitor progress against targets and to communicate results from monitoring or evaluation exercises. Good indicators should be scientifically valid (widely accepted and based on reliable data), responsive (picking up on changes within the variable of interest), easy to understand (both conceptually and in terms of presentation and interpretation), based on data (sampled/observational data or modelling) that are already available or are feasible to collect (which will allow for regular production of the indicator over time) and relevant to the needs of those who will use them31. In the context of the triple win of providing benefits to climate, society and biodiversity, funders such as ICF already have good representation of indicators for the first two objectives, but biodiversity is not yet well represented. Without indicators for monitoring progress, no conclusions can be drawn as to the level of contribution to biodiversity the funded programmes are having. A particular need for this is evident in the common assumption that certain practises (or a focus on specific ecosystem service flows or delivery) are beneficial for biodiversity, but with no evidence to support this. For instance, sustainable land management (SLM) is defined by the UN (and ICF KPI 17) as: Aims of biodiversity indicators “the use of land resources, including soils, water, animals and plants, for the production of goods to meet changing human needs, while simultaneously ensuring the long-term productive potential of these resources and the maintenance of their environmental functions” This definition aims to protect the resource and ensure continuedprovision of ecosystem services, but does not focus on biodiversitydirectly. Afforestation and reforestation are a form of SLM, howeverthis could include for example the planting of a non-native or low tree diversity plantations. This forest would contribute towards climate objectives (carbon sequestration) and could be a source of timber to support local livelihoods, and may even have further ecosystem service benefits such and soil erosion or flood prevention. However, it would have little biodiversity value, and may even be detrimental to biodiversity. In contrast, if the planting included a diverse range of native tree species, the same climate and societal benefits would be achieved, but with the added value of a significant contribution to biodiversity. The inclusion of biodiversity indicators helps to focus on the biodiversity impact of the projects or programmes, monitors the benefits to biodiversity explicitly,and puts biodiversity priorities on a par with climate and societal objectives. Indicators are an essential tool for measuring and reporting achievements against objectives or towards targets. In the context of biodiversity, it is not realistic to assume that a holistic understanding of biodiversity is possible to capture, but the aim is that any indicators chosen should indeed be indicative of the status or changes in the environment. If this cannot reflect the environment as a whole, itmust be clearly communicated as to the purpose and foci of the indicator or indicator suite.