Define purpose
This step involves defining the main purpose and expected outcomes of the assessment, as well as identifying who would benefit from and apply the results. This step should ensure the legitimacy of the assessment process by investing in approaches that are inclusive, transparent, credible, equitable, and culturally sensitive, as well as making the process and its assumptions clear and accessible. A legitimate and participatory framing process increases the likelihood that the outcomes will be trusted, accepted, and acted upon. Additionally, the step can include fostering a vision of transformative change, especially where long-term system shifts are needed to address the root causes of nature loss.
SELINA Guidance
Relevant non-SELINA material
Justice
Link to Justice
The purpose-setting step directly shapes legitimacy: whose interests are prioritised, whose knowledge counts, and whether outcomes reflect shared priorities or only those of powerful actors.
Dimensions addressed
Recognitional: acknowledge distinct perspectives, values, worldviews, especially from marginalised groups; address historical/contextual inequities.
Participatory: engage stakeholders transparently with mechanisms that let them shape the purpose and goals.
Distributive: identify who benefits/loses under current and future regimes of ecosystem access, condition, or services.
Contextual: be sensitive to socio-political and ecological context, recognising how past injustices influence current engagement capacity and trust.
Why this matters
Establishes legitimacy, credibility, and inclusiveness of the whole process.
Ensures outcomes reflect diverse and vulnerable groups, not just powerful stakeholders.
Builds trust and creates space for transformative change.
Stakeholder Engagement
Placeholder
Crosslink toTNFD’s LEAP Framework
Fits with the scoping phase of the LEAP framework. This scoping phase largely draws on gaining internal high-level support of management and aims to identify relevant aspects of business models and value chains in addition to setting parameters.