Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of all living things (plants, animals and people) and the places in which they live. Biodiversity is fundamental for maintaining the balance which helps the planet to function properly; it provides the clean air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink.
We enjoy immense economic benefits from many aspects of biodiversity. A healthy biodiversity provides us with crops, medicines, building materials, fuel and tools. In Wales, we depend on our beautiful landscapes for leisure, recreation and tourism which are increasingly important to the local economy. Biodiversity has an educational and aesthetic value and so enriches our quality of life; people value biodiversity and want it conserved.
The natural world is increasingly threatened and many species and habitats are declining at an alarming rate. The protection of biodiversity calls for a response from all sectors, from national and local government, voluntary organisations, community groups and business.
Most organisations have an effect on biodiversity. Companies’ most obvious biodiversity impacts are building or developing on land that they own, but the consumption of natural resources can also adversely influence biodiversity (for example by using timber sourced from tropical rainforests). Business can also affect biodiversity indirectly through, for example, the use of energy which contributes to climate change or the production of wastes which are potentially harmful to the environment.
ARENA Network can provide more free information on biodiversity and your business. We offer practical support, advice and training to enable you to understand your business’s impacts and help you to start taking action to improve your performance.
More information is available from www.businessbiodiversitywales.com
or contact your local ARENA Network Contact
All organisations have obligations in relation to biodiversity and legislation exists to protect certain sites and species. It is important to realise that by getting involved in biodiversity initiatives you can achieve direct business benefits such as:
- Improved reputation with customers, investors, regulators, planners, interest groups and local communities
By addressing activities that impact on biodiversity with practical solutions, you can demonstrate your environmental commitment to both regulating agencies, and the community which uses your services or purchases your products. - Increased efficiency and reduced costs
For example, managing for nature conservation in terms of grounds maintenance will often provide simpler and cheaper solutions in the long-term. - Improved business environment for your staff, customers and for wildlife
The immediate environment of a business gives an impression to customers about the business, and a good environment can engender in its staff a sense of pride in the business. - Team building for staff
Working together to resolve environmental problems, or to implement a biodiversity project, can bring together staff who do not normally meet or discuss important business practices, procedures and/or performance.
Taking action has the potential to bring benefits throughout your operations, to staff and customers, as well as to nature conservation.
