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Assessing your progress
Best practice: 10 indicators of biodiversity engagement
The following key features of best practice have been derived from
consultation with companies throughout the UK. Each theme is illustrated
in "Case Studies in Business & Biodiversity", produced
by Earthwatch, and available on the Publications
page. The themes may be used as broad indicators of a company's
commitment to biodiversity and the successful integration of biodiversity
into its environmental management system: |
1. Achieving understanding of biodiversity
Internally, a company recognises there is no dividing line
between biodiversity conservation and what a company is trying
to achieve through a standard environmental management system,
because both are integral to overall protection of the environment.
2. Developing a BAP
A company develops a BAP or biodiversity strategy both for
its own landholdings and to enable it to contribute to biodiversity
conservation beyond its own sites
- a company sets priorities, based on thorough consideration
of its impact on biodiversity
- a company regularly monitors the biodiversity on its
sites or on which it has an impact by establishing baseline
data and monitoring change; having established a baseline
the company identifies specific targets for biodiversity
3. Integrating a BAP
A company's own biodiversity plan has clear links
to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan or to the Local Biodiversity
Action Plan.
4. Environmental partners
A company delivers its biodiversity action plan through
partnership with relevant national and local conservation
groups.
5. ISO 14001/EMAS integration
Biodiversity considerations are integrated into a
company's ISO 14001 standards, so that they are monitored and
assessed alongside the other areas of the EMS.
6. Senior management support
A company's commitment to biodiversity is indicated
by support at board level and a public statement relating specifically
to biodiversity.
7. Qualifications of environmental managers
A trained ecologist is employed as part of the environmental
management team or as a consultant.
8. Employee involvement
Employees are involved in the biodiversity strategy
through internal communication, involvement in the company's
own activities, or as volunteers with the company's environmental
partners.
9. Funding biodiversity action
Beyond the immediate impact of its own operations,
a company engages in the national biodiversity plan by sponsoring
conservation groups to help fulfil national and/or local priorities.
10. Communication
A company communicates its involvement in biodiversity
action:
- a company seeks to inform and influence its stakeholders
on the issue of biodiversity by communicating its activities
and priorities.
- a company's overall contribution to biodiversity conservation
is measured and reported on, either internally or externally.
Reports on environmental performance include action for
biodiversity. A company might also wish to consider external
verification of its progress reports.
Photo Credit: JL Castner 'Spiny
Devil' Katydid
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