Take Action - Business

Why is Biodiversity important for business?

Every aspect of life is linked to biodiversity, and business is no exception. First and foremost the majority of businesses depend on the earth's biological resources as essential components and services for the operation of their day-to-day activities, such as clean water and raw materials. It is therefore important that there is an ongoing supply of these resources to ensure the viability of the business.

Depending on the activity or location of a particular business, biodiversity or an aspect of biodiversity may be threatened in which case a business must comply with legislation that has been put in place to protect biodiversity. Companies also need to be aware of environmental legislation, which may come online in the near future and start taking action regarding this now.

Many companies have large sites containing various habitats and are therefore responsible for the protection of any habitat on their site. The processes and operations of a particular business may also be having an influence on the biodiversity of the local area outside of the immediate site. It is important that businesses are aware of any such impacts.

With ever more stringent planning conditions and policies in place to protect habitats, scope for development of sites may change. This may have a direct impact on business, especially those starting up or looking to develop further.

Involvement in biodiversity improvement and protection, especially in the area surrounding one's business location, can be an important part of a company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  programme. There are a variety of different actions that can be taken to include a biodiversity project in the CSR programme.

How do Businesses impact Biodiversity?

Depending on the type of business, there can be many different effects on biodiversity.

• On-site - the most important thing a business can do for biodiversity is to choose an appropriate location. Where the business is located can affect the biodiversity on-site or in the immediate locality. This usually starts with the construction phase of the building where habitats can be destroyed, thus resulting in the loss of certain species of flora and fauna from the immediate area. In many cases these native plants are replaced with exotic species doing little to retain the native fauna. On the other hand businesses have an opportunity to influence the habitats on-site by doing everything possible to replace habitats that have been lost and linking in with local groups to ensure that the biodiversity of the area is protected.
  
  
• Local eco-systems: Many businesses will have either a direct or indirect effect on the local eco-systems. This can be positive or negative, for example many businesses will use large amounts of water for a particular process. If this water is not consumed in a sustainable manner or is not treated properly before discharge back to a water source it may have a detrimental affect on aquatic habitats. It is important that businesses are aware of the potential impacts that their activities may have on the local biodiversity and ensure that at the very least they are complying with the prescribed legislation that ensures its protection.
  
  
• Supply chain - indirectly companies can affect the biodiversity in other areas through the types of raw materials and products that they are using, for example companies may be using a raw material which is being over-used or threatened. This can be counteracted by obtaining supplies from sustainable sources.

What are businesses doing to protect biodiversity?

As companies become aware of their environmental and social responsibilities many companies are becoming involved in biodiversity projects through a variety of programmes. These include:

Environmental Management Systems (EMS): EMS is a system designed to manage the environmental aspects of a business, the most common being ISO 14001. Together with waste, energy and water many companies are now including the management and improvement of biodiversity both directly and indirectly as part of their EMS.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): CSR is becoming an important part of a company's interaction with the local community and environmental projects often take the lead. More and more businesses see biodiversity as a way of interacting with the local community and protecting the habitats in the local area.

Corporate Policies: Companies, in particular multinationals, may have a corporate policy in place, which compels them to take action on environmental issues such as biodiversity.

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Why should I protect biodiversity?

• To ensure a continued supply of resources: In some way your business relies on biodiversity in terms of the raw materials and products that you use. In order to maintain a sustainable business it is important that biodiversity is protected to ensure a continued supply of these resources.
• To comply with legislation and prepare for new legislation coming online: Compliance with environmental legislation is important for the smooth operation of your business. The protection of biodiversity is central to a lot of the environmental and planning legislation from both Ireland and the EU and may also form part of your overall company policy or a licence to which you must adhere. Failure to comply can result in fines, delays to business operations, bad publicity and poor local public relations for your company.
• Reflects good Corporate Social Responsibility: CSR is an important part of your company's relationship with your local community. Biodiversity is a worthwhile and visible way to contribute positively to increased interaction with communities on this issue, will increase and develop relationships with the local people and will put your company in a position of trust within the community.
• To manage risks associated with biodiversity impacts: If all aspects of biodiversity are well managed and protected and if there is compliance with legislation and licensing the extent of risks and liabilities with regard to biodiversity can be greatly reduced.
• Being involved in biodiversity projects is satisfying and motivating: Participation in biodiversity projects will be of particular interest to some of your staff and will most likely result in satisfaction and enthusiasm for these projects from the majority of staff.
  

What action can I take?

Put in place an Environmental Management System (EMS). This will help you to manage all environmental aspects including biodiversity. In addition to the increased likelihood of compliance with legislation and policy an EMS demands continual improvement, thus giving you the impetus to enhance the biodiversity associated with your business. An EMS can help to reduce risk and maximise opportunities in a planned way.

Even if you do not choose to go down the route of an EMS it makes good sense to put in place a Biodiversity Action Plan with objectives and targets that enable you to protect your current level of biodiversity, continually improve biodiversity over a number of years and comply with regulations regarding biodiversity.

Form relationships with local groups that are already engaged in halting biodiversity loss. Such groups could include Tidy Towns or Tidy Districts groups, environmental groups and other community groups with such an interest. Contact some of the NGO’s in our links section to see any of these are getting involved in biodiversity protection projects. Alternatively, get in touch with your local authority environmental or biodiversity conservation officers for advise. (see appropriate local authority links by clicking on your county on the Notice NatureMap). Getting employees involved in such a project can be a worthwhile team-building exercise and can improve your corporate environmental reputation.

Enhance the habitats that already exist on your site or create new habitats that will encourage native flora and fauna. Examples include creating a wildlife garden, planting native species of trees instead of exotic species, putting a bird table or bug box in place to encourage the presence of bugs and birds in the area.

If you do not have an area on-site that you can enhance or develop it may still be possible for you to have an influence on biodiversity in the vicinity of your business. Investigate if your company can sponsor a biodiversity project such as a wildlife garden in your local school or in the village / town centre.

Ensure that your raw materials and products are coming from sustainable sources that protect biodiversity. Do this by investigating your supply chain and ensuring that you know your source.

Increase staff awareness of biodiversity issues by actively involving them in activities around biodiversity and giving them support in terms of suggestions that they put forward.

Develop a Corporate Social Responsibility Project that promotes local biodiversity.

Who can I ask for help?

There are a number of individuals / organisations who may be of help to you as you and your company strive for excellence in biodiversity:

• Find out about Species Action Plans from the NPWS

• Notice Nature info@noticenature.ie

• The Environment / Heritage section of your local authority

• Your local Chamber (can provide information on Corporate Social Responsibility)