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Business and industry have an enormous influence on land-use and resource consumption. Sustainable development and careful use of resources are increasingly accepted as the way forward for business, and biodiversity is a core indicator of sustainable development. The health of the natural environment is essential to sustained economic prosperity, and essential to all human activity. Biodiversity conservation should be integrated into all business management systems.

Key ways to help biodiversity at the workplace:

  1. Include biodiversity in the job of site or environmental managers.

  2. Produce a sustainable development strategy and biodiversity action plan for your business.

  3. Develop a green purchasing policy and buy products that are produced sustainably and locally.

  4. Manage landholdings to support wildlife.

  5. Work in partnership with a wildlife organisation to fund biodiversity projects.

  6. Become a 'champion' for a habitat or species at risk.

  7. Sell the idea of biodiversity to suppliers and customers.

  8. Encourage staff to carry out environmentally-friendly practices at the workplace such as reducing waste and energy use.

  9. Encourage the use of car pools, cycling and public transport.

Contacts:

Essential reading for business and industry can be found at www.businessandbiodiversity.org . The website explains why biodiversity is important to business and how to create a company biodiversity action plan. Download 'Business & Biodiversity: The Handbook for Corporate Action' from the Biodiversity Economics Library. Free publications on business and biodiversity are also available from Earthwatch.

The Wildlife Trusts Biodiversity Benchmark Scheme offers businesses a new way to assess their impact on the natural environment.

The Sustainable Development Commission advocates the integration of sustainable development across all sectors in the UK. Their work programme for business highlights key elements that should be incorporated into a sustainable development strategy.

Contact the Countryside / Biodiversity officer of your local council for advice on ways to incorporate action for biodiversity into business.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Partnership acts as an information exchange for businesses on all aspects of sustainable development.

 

Commercial timber cropPond in office courtyardCoastal vegetation at fawley