Businesses

BUSINESS AND BIODIVERSITY

"The preservation of biodiversity is not just a job for governments. International and non-governmental organisations, the private sector and each and every individual have a role to play in changing entrenched outlooks and ending destructive patterns of behaviour"

- Kofi Annan, 2003, speaking on on the 2003 International Day of Biological Diversity

Companies who make environmental and social concerns part of the core of their business are finding that this is having a multitude of positive impacts and contributing to their lasting commercial success. Over recent years, there has also been an upsurge in the number of companies who recognise that acting in a socially and environmentally responsible way is something that all reputable businesses should do.

Over the last generation, there have been great strides forward made in the areas of pollution, waste management and energy efficiency. However, there are some areas of environmental responsibility that have been less well developed. Tackling issues such as biodiversity and ecosystem management often seems outside the scope of what a business should take responsibility for: companies are used to the idea that they need to manage their discharges to water, but the idea that they should also look at how their site is managed for wildlife can seem a bit daunting or even irrelevant. This is not the case and those companies who have tackled the biodiversity agenda and brought wildlife into the heart of their business practises are reaping a number of rewards.There are many benefits that managing land for wildlife brings to a business and many organisations that can support and advise a company on how to go about it.

This section of the Wales Biodiversity Partnership website provides information about the important role that biodiversity plays for businesses: both the benefits of getting it right and the consequences of getting it wrong. There are case studies to show how the private sector impacts on wildlife and nature, both positively and negatively, and examples of best practise.

Earthwatch has produced a Business and Biodiversity Handbook that introduces the concept of ‘biodiversity’ and explains why and how businesses should address biodiversity.

Earthwatch also host the Business and Biodiversity resource centre which provides information about the important role which biodiversity plays for businesses. Case studies are used to illustrate how the private sector impacts on wildlife and nature, and what companies are doing to help conserve and manage biodiversity.

Reasons for Business to Engage with Biodiversity

Business depends on biodiversity. It helps to stabilise the climate and provide clean air and water, services vital for a stable operating environment. It provides raw materials, technology and business opportunities. There are many reasons for business to engage with biodiversity including legal compliance, corporate social responsibility, reputational enhancement and staff retention. For detailed analysis on how biodiversity engagement benefits business, click on the link below.

10 Reasons for Business to Engage with Biodiversity