What happens if you want to mine in a protected area? How can you avoid over-fishing in international waters? What do you do if a highly endangered species exists within your factory fence? As part of its new Business and Biodiversity Programme, the environmental charity Earthwatch has developed a new publication for UK businesses operating internationally. The fifty-two-page booklet was launched by Michael Meacher at the Darwin Initiative Award Conference on 17th June.
The recent Global Biodiversity Forum in the Hague recommended that governments should encourage the corporate sector to implement the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as agreed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. With Biodiversity named by the UN Secretary General as one of the five key areas for discussion at this year's World Summit in Johannesburg, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to show governments, investors and the public that they are engaging with biodiversity issues and developing Biodiversity Action Plans.
Based on research from over twenty UK-based companies, Business and Biodiversity : A Guide for UK-based Companies Operating Internationally provides a practical guide to help businesses integrate biodiversity issues into their strategy, and forms part of Earthwatch's extensive Business and Biodiversity programme. In November 2001 a new Business and Biodiversity website was launched, managed by Earthwatch, and funded by Innogy and the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as part of their commitment to meet the aims of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP). Since its launch, nearly 6000 people have visited the website and the funding has recently been extended and increased to £25,000 a year for three years, to continue the work and to develop the potential of the Business and Biodiversity Resource Centre.
Emma Wilson, Innogy's Environmental Manager, said: "As the Corporate Partner of the BBRC, we worked closely with Earthwatch to deliver the website. It has been a positive and rewarding partnership, reflecting Earthwatch's pragmatic and realistic approach to engaging business with biodiversity. Our work with Earthwatch has facilitated the delivery of a key facet of Innogy's Biodiversity Framework."
She continued: "Innogy ‘s work on biodiversity reflects our belief that as part of a wider programme of corporate social and environmental responsibility, engaging with biodiversity can make a positive contribution to a company's reputation with a range of stakeholders, and help deliver long-term shareholder value."
The current estimate is that species and habitats are disappearing at one thousand times the natural rate. The corporate sector has a huge impact on the environment and needs to be involved in contributing to a sustainable future.
In order to provide even more support for businesses, in February of this year Earthwatch created a new position, appointing an experienced project manager, Jo Zaremba, as a full time Business and Biodiversity Manager.
"Engaging with biodiversity can benefit companies in many ways, reducing the risk of unplanned external events impacting on their business and enhancing their environmental reputation," said Jo. "Customers and investors are looking much harder at companies' environmental performance as well as shareholder returns. Earthwatch's new publication lets businesses know about legislation, regulations and best practice so that they can integrate biodiversity in a way that most effectively benefits the environment and their organisation."
For more information on Earthwatch's Business and Biodiversity programme or for copies of publications contact:
Joanna Zaremba, Business and Biodiversity Manager on 01865 318800 or email jzaremba@earthwatch.org.uk.
Website: www.businessandbiodiversity.org/
For press information, interviews and images from the launch contact:
Sally Cordwell, Press Officer on+44 (0)1865 318852 or email scordwell@earthwatch.org.uk Website: www.earthwatch.org/europe
Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.