8 tips on how companies can protect biodiversity

A few weeks ago, the first major law on the protection and restoration of biodiversity was passed in the European Parliament. Biodiversity - an issue without which Europe's climate targets would be unthinkable to meet, which, contrary to many claims, also strengthens the economy and which every company can actively support.

More than 80 percent of European ecosystems are in poor or very poor condition ¹. Species survival is also dramatically poor: about 30 percent of all species are already extinct or threatened with extinction ². Nevertheless, the Commission's proposal to restore nature was trembled and debated for almost a year, and the EU Restoration Act was in danger of failing.

Policy goals for the protection of our ecosystems

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 30 to 50 percent of carbon-rich ecosystems such as forests and peatlands need to be restored in order to limit global warming to below two degrees Celsius. This has also been recognized by policymakers, who have set themselves the goal of protecting at least 30 percent of the land area and 30 percent of the marine areas in the EU with the EU biodiversity strategy presented in 2020. In addition, damaged ecosystems are to be restored and the use of pesticides reduced by 50 percent ⁴.

Why the protection of biodiversity is important

Ecosystems and biodiversity are critical to the well-being of our planet and all living things. As natural carbon sinks, forests, for example, play a key role in addressing the climate crisis. It is essential for food security, clean drinking water, clean air, protection against natural disasters such as floods or landslides, and provides a habitat for many species. At the same time, we all know how relaxing a walk in nature is and the impact time spent in the forest or by the water has on our health. In short, without intact ecosystems and the associated biodiversity, our livelihoods are threatened.

The economy also benefits significantly from greater protection of biodiversity:

1. Half of the global economic power depends on the services of nature ⁵. 
2. By 2030, a new natural economy could create more than $10 trillion in annual enterprise value and generate 395 million jobs ⁶.
3. Every euro invested in restoring nature yields a benefit of between 8 and 38 euros through drinking water or clean air ⁷.

CO₂ footprint vs. handprint from companies

Companies not only benefit from protecting biodiversity, they can also actively work to do so. Looking at the footprint on the one hand is important. On the other hand, however, companies also have the opportunity to make an even greater, positive contribution to our environment.

The CO₂ footprint describes a company's negative impact on the environment, primarily in the form of greenhouse gas emissions. But it also includes water consumption, waste production and the use of natural resources in general. The larger the footprint, the greater the impact on the environment, nature and our climate.

The Handprint, on the other hand, can do all the more good for our planet, because it refers to the positive measures taken to protect our environment. This includes all active efforts for nature with a focus on the protection of biodiversity. The promotion of social projects and the support of climate protection projects to reduce CO₂ emissions also fall under a company's Handprint.

Companies can contribute to the protection of biodiversity and promote their handprint

There are many effective measures that companies can take to increase their handprint and thus their positive impact on nature. The goal should always be to have a larger handprint than footprint. These measures help to protect biodiversity:

1. Planting flowering meadows: Flowering meadows provide important food sources for insects and pollinators and thus promote biodiversity.

2. Construction of insect hotels: Insect hotels create habitats for beneficial insects and support the pollination of plants.

3. Nature-oriented design of the company grounds: A near-natural design creates habitat for native species and promotes biodiversity.

4. Support for nature conservation projects: Financial support for nature conservation projects such as forest and moorland protection contributes to the preservation of endangered species, habitats and entire ecosystems. 

5. Green roofs: Green roofs provide additional habitats in urban areas and promote biodiversity and the urban climate.

6. Promoting reforestation: Planting trees helps restore habitats and promote biodiversity.

7. Sustainable procurement: Products from ecologically sound sources reduce pressure on endangered ecosystems and species.
   
   
8. Reduction of chemical pesticides: Eliminating pesticides protects insects and other animals from extinction.

Footprint and Handprint in one holistic solution

With the help of our Sustainability-as-a-Service solution, we enable companies to understand the extent of their footprint. By calculating the CO₂ balance, CO₂ hotspots can be identified and individualized measures for internal reduction can be identified. 

At the same time, companies can have a positive impact on their handprint with Planted. By supporting global climate protection projects, unavoidable emissions can be offset and, at the same time, the social life of the people on site of the projects can be supported. In addition, we plant mixed forests in Germany with our own climate forester and protect forests locally.

Planted enables companies not only to minimize their environmental impact, but also to actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of nature and create sustainable ecosystems for us humans and all living things.

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Sources:

¹ State of European nature still not good - [GEO]

² One third of all species extinct or threatened - BUND e.V.

³ Saving nature by law - Tagesspiegel Background

⁴ BMUV: Biodiversity in Europe

⁵ World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

⁶ 400 million new jobs through focus on sustainable development | Moneycab

⁷ The EU #NatureRestoration Law (europa.eu)

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