| |
International standard of the International Organisation for
Standardisation (ISO) which provides guidance on and verification
of Environment Management Systems (EMS) |
Does not contain specific biodiversity criteria or focus,
relying on the identification of biodiversity as a significant
aspect of a company's impact. |
| EMAS
|
The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is a management tool
designed to evaluate, report and improve company environmental
performance |
No specific biodiversity focus, although biodiversity can
be incorporated into the EMS and therefore become an indicator
of performance. |
| BS7750 |
A British standard for specifications for an EMS. It is compatible
with EMAS and ISO14001 |
No specific biodiversity focus although the standard requires
an Environmental policy to be in existence and supported by
management. Biodiversity can be encorporated into this and the
company's EMS. |
| BS8555 |
A British standard established in 2003 which provides guides
to phased implementation of an EMS including environmental performance
evaluation. This standard is of particular interest to SMEs
as it is in a staged process. |
No specific biodiversity focus although environmental impacts
are assessed so biodversity can be incorporated into an EMS. |
| Green
Dragon EMS |
A stepped standard produced by the Arena network and Groundwork
in Wales offers an environmental management system relevant
to the specific needs of the company. Each stage is certified
leading to an easy to follow environmental management system
which is especially appropriate for SMEs. |
No specific biodiversity focus although environmental impacts
are assessed so biodversity can be incorporated into EMS in
order to acquire the standards. |
| Wildlife Trusts
Biodiversity Benchmark |
Developed by Middlemarch Environmental, a wildlife trust consultancy
(UK), the scheme sets out 10 stages through which companies
can demonstrate incorporating biodiversity into the EMS. |
System sets out 10 stages for biodiversity engagement including:
1) commitment 2) surveys 3) assessment 4) measurements 5) partnerships
6) reviews. Impacts on biodiversity are identified and efforts
made to reduce these impacts. |
| WHC's
Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification/International Accreditation
Program |
Developed by Wildlife Habitat Council in the USA this scheme
provides step by step guidelines for employees and employers
to establish, develop and manage a wildlife program on their
site. |
The standard has a specific biodiversity focus. Elements of
the scheme include; restoration, creation, protection, waste
reduction and enhancement of habitat and individual species
management. |
| Marine Stewardship Councils
(MSC) |
An internationally recognised set of environmental principles
for evaluating fisheries to assess if they are managed in a
sustainable way. |
MSC has developed environmental standards based on three
principles: 1) condition of fish stock 2) impact of fishery
on the marine environment 3) fishery management systems. Sustainable
mangagement means protecting the biodiversity of the sea. |
| BREEAM |
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
(BREEAM) has been developed as a set of guidelines for the construction
industry setting out minimum standards for office, home and
industrial developments. |
The standard covers ecological value conservation and enhancement
of the site, materials, environmental implication of building
materials, including life-cycle impacts, operational energy
use and water pollution issues |
| EU
eco-label |
European-wide labelling scheme aimed at certifiying goods
and services (not food, drink and pharmaceuticals) which have
met strict environmental criteria. |
No specific biodiversity focus but certifies goods and services
produced in ways where the environmental footprint has been
reduced relative to other comparable products. Uses life cycle
analysis to assess environmental footprints |
| Green
tourism business scheme |
The Green Tourism Business Scheme is a Visit Scotland accreditation
for tourism businesses in the UK relating to environmental good
practice. The criteria follow a standard that provides environmental
advice to enable tourism businesses to reduce their environmental
impact. |
The criteria establishes tools and training in order to fulfill
the standards. Standards take into account business issues,
destination issues and product related issues. Criteria relating
to biodiversity are Wildlife, Waste Water and Energy standards. |
| Sustainable
Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC) |
Proposed global accreditation body for sustainable tourism
and ecotourism certification programs. Standards and criteria
for certification are still in the process of development. |
Certification criteria currently under development. |
| Green Globe 21 |
Australian-based international benchmarking, certification
and improvement system for sustainable Travel & Tourism.
Encompasses four separate standards. |
The standards identify different 'key performance areas' for
companies to addresss: Ecosytem Conservation and management,
Management of freshwater resources, Land use planning and management,
as well as other enviornmental issues. |
| Rainforest
Alliance agricultural certification |
Global standards for sustainable farming in rainforests |
The standards provide guidelines for the protection of wildlife
and forests and other valuable habitats in and around farms. |
| Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC) |
Sets global standards for responsible forestry management,
leading to certification of timber and timber products with
an FSC stamp. |
According to the standard forest management must; conserve
biological diversity and its associated values, protect rare
and endangered species and habitats, control erosion and minimize
forest damage during harvesting. The standards provide guidelines
to implement sustainable forest management and have been developed
into national level schemes. |
| Chain
of Custody certification |
Part of the FSC scheme, this certification verifies that products
from FSC certified forests are not mixed with products from
uncertified forests at any point in the supply chain. |
See FSC |
| SFI Sustainable
Forestry Initiative label |
Set standards for forest management and products designed
by American Forest & Paper Association industry. System
of principles, objectives and performance measures developed
by professional foresters, conservationists and scientists in
the USA. |
The standards help manage the quality and distribution of
wildlife habitats. They also contribute to the conservation
of biological diversity by developing and implementing stand
and landscape-level measures that promote habitat diversity
and the conservation of forest fauna and flora. |
| Program for Equivalency
in Forest Certification (PEFC) |
Formerly the Pan-European Forest Certification System, applicable
standard for sustainable forestry and products. |
Standards and rules developed to promote sustainable forest
management there by benefiting biodiversity within the forest.
|
| Soil
Association Certification |
Standards for the production and processing of organic materials.
From farming practices to the retail of beauty products in the
UK. |
The standards comply with the EU regulations EC (2092/91).
Farming and Forestry standards encourge the development of a
healthy environment and promote conservation of wild plants
and animal species. |
| LEAF
Marque |
Certification standard for UK farms to promote responsible
farming |
Standards set out regulations in areas such as organisation
and planning, soil management and crop nutrition, pollution
control and waste management, energy and water efficiency, wildlife
and landscape. These standards aim to promote the production
of food in a sustainable way. |
| Conservation
Grade Farming |
Standards produce a farming system that slows the decline
in wildlife on farmland. Manufactureres which use conservation
grade farming products use the logo on their packs. |
Farm management methods encourage a diversity of wildlife
on the land; chemical usage is kept to a minimum; crop rotation
methods are used; planting of trees and hedgerow protection
is implemented. |
| IFOAM's Basic Standards
and Accreditation Criteria - International Federation of Organic
Agriculture Movements |
International guidelines for organic agriculture, only cotton
which has been inspected and certified by IFOAM standards is
entitled to carry the label ‘organic’ |
IFOAM criteria are based on ISO 65 criteria. The standards
promote development of biodiversity on the land through elimineation
of chemicals and measures to promote habitat diversity and conservation. |
