In line with the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework, the ENCORE knowledge base defines the term ‘pressure’ as the use of a measurable quantity of a natural resource or release of measurable quantity of substances, physical and biological agents. The pressures trigger the mechanisms causing change in state of nature (i.e., ecosystems and their components). Some initiatives, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) or the Natural Capital Protocol, refer to pressures as “impact drivers”.
Below is a list of pressures used in ENCORE and their definitions, which are based on the list of impact drivers from the Natural Capital Protocol but further refined for clarity.
Natural Capital Coalition, 2016. “Natural Capital Protocol”. (Online) Available at: (www.naturalcapitalcoalition.org/protocol)
Area of freshwater use
Freshwater area is used for the activity. Examples of metrics include area of wetland, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers or peatland necessary to provide ecosystem services such as water purification, fish spawning, areas of infrastructure necessary to use rivers and lakes such as bridges, dams, and flood barriers, etc. Impacts include hydrological changes, freshwater geomorphology and fluvial processes.
Area of land use
Activity uses land area. Example metrics include area of agriculture by type, area of forest plantation by type, area of open cast mine by type, etc.
Area of seabed use
Seabed area is used for the activity. Examples of metrics include area of aquaculture by type, area of seabed mining by type, etc. Impacts include hydrological changes, freshwater geomorphology and fluvial processes.
Disturbances (e.g noise, light)
Activity produces noise or light pollution that has potential to harm organisms. Examples of metrics include decibels and duration of noise, lumens and duration of light, at site of impact.
Emissions of GHG
Activity emits GHG. Examples include volume of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), etc.
Emissions of non-GHG air pollutants
Activity emits non GHG air pollutants. Examples include volume of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter (PM10), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), mono-nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2, commonly referred to as NOx), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Carbon monoxide (CO), etc.
Emissions of nutrient pollutants to water and soil
Activity emits nutrient pollutants that can lead to eutrophication. Example metrics include volume discharged to receiving water body of nutrients (e.g., nitrates and phosphates).
Emissions of toxic pollutants to water and soil
Activity emits toxic pollutants that can directly harm organisms and the environment. Examples include volume discharged to receiving water body of toxic substances (e.g., heavy metals and chemicals).
Generation and release of solid waste
Activity generates and releases solid waste. Example metrics include volume of waste by classification (i.e., nonhazardous, hazardous, and radioactive), by specific material constituents (e.g., lead, plastic), or by disposal method (e.g., landfill, incineration, recycling, specialist processing).
Introduction of invasive species
Activity directly introduces non-native invasive species into areas of operation.
Other abiotic resource extraction
Activity extracts abiotic resources. Examples include volume of mineral extracted.
Other biotic resource extraction (e.g. fish, timber)
Activity extracts biotic resources including fish and timber. Examples of metrics include volume of wild-caught fish by species, number of wild-caught mammals by species, volume of timber by species, etc.
Volume of water use
Water is used for the activity. Example metrics include volume of groundwater consumed, volume of surface water consumed, etc.