The Future Direction of Biodiversity Engagement

It is the Government's belief that the pursuit of a more sustainable economy involves all sectors of the community, including business. The UK Biodiversity Steering Group envisages that business and industry "will have a vital role in supporting local [biodiversity] projects" and views them as key players in LBAP partnerships. While there are no legal obligations for business to contribute to the UK's biodiversity strategy, the Government wishes to see a wider range of companies engaging with biodiversity. The UK BAP provides a mechanism to enable them to do so. In May and June 2000, the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee (ETRAC) conducted an enquiry into UK Biodiversity policy. On industry's involvement, ETRAC concluded:

"A much wider range of industries (particularly development and others which deal with significant areas of land) should aim to incorporate biodiversity into their operations and, if possible, draw up their own Biodiversity Action Plans. The Confederation of British Industry should be at the forefront of efforts to promote biodiversity in the business world. If industry cannot be persuaded to take biodiversity seriously, Government should take action to require them to do so."

The Government response to the ETRAC report, published in March 2001, shared the Committee's wish to see a wider range of companies incorporating biodiversity into their planning and operations. It also agreed that the Confederation of British Industry, which is represented on the UK Biodiversity Group, should be involved in promoting biodiversity to industry. The response drew attention to the challenge issued by the Prime Minister in October 2000 to the top 350 UK companies to produce environmental reporting voluntarily by the end of 2001. It also drew attention to the re-launched 'Making a Corporate Commitment' (MACC2) campaign, which helped companies take the first steps towards environmental management and reporting, and which specifically recommends that companies consider biodiversity as a key impact of business on the environment.

The report and proceedings of the ETRAC is available from HMSO or on the website of the Committee here. The Government response to the ETRAC report is available from HMSO.

In future we can expect to see increasing concern from governments, lending institutions and society as a whole for companies to manage their impact on biodiversity in a responsible manner. This is reflected in the recent addition of questions on biodiversity to the Business in the Environment (BiE) Index survey. BiE's annual Index is widely recognised as the leading benchmark of corporate environmental engagement for top UK listed companies. FTSE 350 companies with a combined market capitalisation of £1.1million, together with sector leaders from the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index, participate in the Index. Information on the Index can be found here.

Photo Credit: Peter Wakely/ English Nature