Accounting for Nature appoints Andrea Della Mattea to board

Accounting for Nature has appointed Andrea Della Mattea to its board, adding the former Microsoft Asia Pacific and ASEAN president to the environmental accounting group.

Della Mattea joins as the organisation expands its use of digital tools to support environmental accounts under its framework. Her background includes artificial intelligence, software and business transformation.

Chair Peter Harper said the appointment comes as the group develops digital systems to support wider adoption of environmental accounting.

"Andrea brings an exceptional combination of global technology leadership, strategic thinking and experience driving transformation at scale. Her understanding of AI, enterprise technology and the way organisations use data to make better decisions is particularly relevant to Accounting for Nature as we look at how environmental accounting can become more accessible, scalable and useful," Harper said.

He added that technology will play a central role in turning environmental information into material that can guide decisions.

"Nature accounting is ultimately about turning complex environmental information into something that can inform decisions. Technology has an enormous role to play in that transition, and Andrea's experience will help us think ambitiously about what is possible," Harper said.

Technology push

The appointment coincides with work on a beta version of a software application for managing environmental accounts under the Accounting for Nature Framework. The system is intended to help users set up environmental accounts, manage data, report results and oversee accounts over time.

The software forms part of a broader digital strategy to support use of the framework across organisations, landscapes and jurisdictions. The platform is designed to make administrative processes more consistent and connected while maintaining the rules and assurance structure behind the framework.

Chief Executive Officer Adrian Ward said the organisation sees technology as a practical layer alongside scientific standards.

"Environmental accounting needs to be both scientifically credible and practical to implement. The Framework provides the rules, methods and assurance architecture; technology can provide the infrastructure that makes managing that process more efficient and scalable," Ward said.

He also referred to the forthcoming platform in a separate comment.

"Our new environmental accounting platform, coming soon, will improve the Accounting for Nature user experience while maintaining the integrity and consistency that are fundamental to trusted environmental accounts," Ward said.

Board role

Della Mattea said she is joining at a time when data and environmental measurement are moving closer together in business decision-making. Her most recent executive role at Microsoft covered strategy and operations across Asia Pacific and ASEAN.

Before Microsoft, she held senior posts at Insight Enterprises and Software Spectrum across North America and Asia Pacific. She also serves on the boards of HSBC, the James Cook University Singapore Advisory Board and NSW Meals on Wheels, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

"Technology, particularly AI and advanced data capabilities, is fundamentally changing how organisations understand complexity and make decisions. I see enormous potential in applying those capabilities to environmental information and helping make nature more visible in the decisions that shape our economy and our communities," Della Mattea said.

She said the next phase for environmental accounting is to combine scientific standards with tools that make the process easier to run and scale.

"Accounting for Nature has built an important foundation for bringing rigour and credibility to environmental accounting. The opportunity now is to combine that scientific foundation with technology that makes environmental accounting easier to manage, scale and use. I'm delighted to join the board and contribute to this next chapter," Della Mattea said.

Wider context

Accounting for Nature describes itself as a not-for-profit focused on measuring, verifying and certifying changes in the state of nature through a science-based framework. Its model is intended to create environmental accounts that can sit alongside financial and other business information.

The organisation says better environmental data can help companies, governments and communities understand the condition of the natural assets on which they depend. The appointment reflects a push to connect that framework more closely with software and data systems as demand grows for measurable and comparable nature information.

Della Mattea has also been recognised by James Cook University as an Outstanding Alumna and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering for her contribution to engineering and service to the university. She has also received the Global Australians Inspiring Corporate Leader Award.