Biodiversity - a GRI Reporting Resource - Global Reporting Initiative

impacts, organizational practices can also
be adjusted to strengthen positive effects.
Examples of such adjustments include:
• Planting native flora species around an
existing agricultural production location
to serve as a buffer zone; and
• Planning activities and land use based on
the condition of land and the potential
for habitat restoration.
Using influence in the supply chain
Supply chain partners depend on one another
to varying degrees. To some organizations,
the loss of a particular supplier or purchaser
would force it to cease operations, while
others who are less dependent on this
supplier/purchaser would only note a minor
effect on its everyday activities.
Organizations with significant influence in
the supply chain are often closely scrutinized
for the activities of their business partners.
From a reporting perspective, the boundaries
of their reporting will also extend to include
disclosure on performance within the supply
chain. In practical terms, this might involve:
• including biodiversity as a selection criterion
when awarding a contract;
• requiring existing suppliers to adhere to
certain standards or apply certain processes
(e.g., not accepting certain ingredients or
raw materials); and
• requiring certification verifying biodiversityfriendly
operations.
In addition, influential organizations may use
their power to raise standards in the industry
in which they take a leading position. A market
leader paying attention to biodiversity and
communicating the same to its stakeholders
often forces competitive organizations to follow.
The end result of using such influence may
be reduced negative impacts on biodiversity.
Researching and developing new
processes and technologies
Increased attention to biodiversity in
production processes over the years has
fuelled research and development in the area
of biodiversity-friendly practices. Research
and development can play an important role
in bringing about change in an organization’s
activities or in the development of new
techniques aimed at diminishing impacts
on biodiversity in the supply chain. Some
examples include:
• converting to water-saving drip irrigation;
• soil-conserving harvesting techniques;
• water recycling methods;
• fishing techniques reducing bycatch; and
• catching and processing production
emissions.
Using labels, guidelines, and codes of
conduct
Labels, guidelines, and codes of conduct that
deal adequately with biodiversity issues can
enhance biodiversity when they are used to
direct an organization’s production and/or
purchasing policy. Certification by third parties
ensures credibility and can save an organization
the effort of ensuring that standards
are being observed. The use or production of
certified (semi)manufactured products can
be a credible and practical strategy for
attracting consumers and satisfying the
demands of other stakeholders as well.
Providing resources to support biodiversity
protection efforts
Apart from revising production processes or
supply chain partners, biodiversity can be
enhanced by organizations in many other
ways such as:
• financially supporting conservation
organizations;
• investing in existing biodiversity funds or
establishing a new biodiversity fund (e.g.,
a fund that is specifically tailored to an
organization’s sector);
• supporting the management of existing
conservation areas;
• funding biodiversity-related research; and
• providing opportunities for employees to
do environmental-related volunteer work.
R e p o r t i n g o n B i o d i v e r s i t y
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