The quest to measure our relationship with nature

A major shift is underway in how we measure our environmental impact. For decades, conservation has relied on metrics of destruction—carbon emissions, extinction rates, planetary boundaries—that primarily engage people through fear. Now, a new initiative led by the United Nations Human Development Office seeks to flip this script. Building on ideas published in a 2023 *Nature* paper, the UN is developing a Nature Relationship Index (NRI) set to launch in 2026. The goal is to create a national ranking system that measures the *quality* of human-nature relationships, focusing on positive engagement rather than just ecological damage.

Pedro Conceição, lead author of the Human Development Report, states the NRI is critical for 'challenging this idea that humans are inherent destroyers of nature.' The index will move beyond adversarial metrics, like simple agricultural land use, to assess more nuanced factors. While the final metrics are under wraps, the framework is built on three core questions: Is nature thriving and accessible? Is it being used with care? And is it being safeguarded? The aim is to provide a score that reflects a country's progress toward a symbiotic relationship with the natural world, where improvement has no upper limit.

The development follows a 2023 workshop in Oxford where scientists and philosophers grappled with quantifying a 'mushy' concept. They sought metrics that engage hope, not dread, acknowledging that humans can be a force for ecological good—from Indigenous fire management to urban wildlife habitats. The resulting NRI will offer a complementary narrative to traditional environmental indicators, designed to be aspirational and energizing for policymakers and the public alike.