Biodiversity: A priority issue for business ?

1. Biodiversity: A priority issue forbusiness?

2. Outline • What is biodiversity and what is the problem? • Why is it an issue for businesses? • What is an LBP? • Identify what business can do for biodiversity and what biodiversity can do for business

3. What is Biodiversity? • Biodiversity means the entire variety of life on Earth, • from mammals and birds to bacteria, plants, and fungi. • It covers the whole of the living world, from commonplace to • highly endangered species, and includes: • species • genetic variation within species • the ecosystems (habitats) within which species live

4. What is the problem? Human activities are directly responsible for current high rates of biodiversity loss, through: • Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation • Invasive ‘alien’ species • Over-exploitation of wild living resources • Pollution of atmosphere, water and soil • Global climate change

5. Convention on Biodiversity • In order to stop the decline on biodiversity the Convention on Biodiversity was established, in 1992, and signed by over 180 governments. • This commits countries to develop strategies and action plans to manage biodiversity and halt global biodiversity loss by 2010. • In the UK, implementation of CBD is through the UKBAP process and local action planning. (Other countries have different implementation strategies)

6. Why is it an issue for businesses? Companies rely on many of the ecosystems services which biodiversity provides. Mismanagement of biodiversity by themselves OR by others poses a RISK to the sustainability of businesses. • risk to reputation • risk of loss of materials for production • insurance risk • liabilities

7. Direct and indirect impact Companies impact on biodiversity directly and/or indirectly: • (examples in your area – (direct - mining, indirect - supermarket supply chain) • companies can also have a positive impact on biodiversity e.g. landholdings managed correctly

8. What is a BAP/LBAP? A biodiversity action plan (BAP) is a plan to conserve or enhance biodiversity. Developed in response to commitments made at the 1992 Rio ‘Earth’ Summit Global initiative to protect and enhance the world’s biodiversity UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) published in 1994.

9. The (input town/region) BAP/LBP A Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) outlines actions to be taken in a specific local area in order to conserve and enhance species and habitats identified in the UKBAP and/or of particular local importance. • What we do • How we do it

10. Biodiversity issues in your area • Insert issues in your area

11. What can business do forbiodiversity? Opportunities for engagement • As landowners • As purchasers • As employers • As funders

12. Case studies • Insert .. Work with businesses in their area

13. General Framework • Corporate policy or position statement • Strategies to implement policy • Action plans for business units, sites & suppliers; local partnerships to develop and implement • Strategic level partnerships with biodiversity organisations

14. What LBP can do with this company • Insert information and discuss

15. Benefits of working with biodiversity • Improve stakeholder and community relations • Risk management • Employee retention • Access to capital • Competitiveness • Operational efficiency • Licence to operate • Meet legal requirements • Commitment to CSR

16. Local Contacts/Who can help

17. Summary of key points • Biodiversity is a key indicator of sustainable development • There are a variety of actions to benefit biodiversity and business, however it is essential to get commitment at a senior level • Working for biodiversity doesn’t have to be rocket science - help is out there

18. Framework for business • Making the business case • Assessing operations and impacts • Set Biodiversity policy • Plan action and set targets • Implement BAP • Monitor & Report