New biodiversity tool revealed

A new tool for assessing the scale of biodiversity risk and opportunity within an organisation has been jointly developed by sustainability consultancy Two Tomorrows and ecological consultancy Biocensus.


A new tool for assessing the scale of biodiversity risk and opportunity within an organisation has been jointly developed by sustainability consultancy Two Tomorrows and ecological consultancy Biocensus.

Based on a set of risk and opportunity indicators, the desk-based assessment comprises a screening of the company’s portfolio of sites, whether located in one country, a region or dispersed internationally.

Mark Line, executive chairman of Two Tomorrows, explains, “Biodiversity issues present both risks and opportunities for business, yet few companies understand what they are and fewer still have begun responding properly through their strategies and practices.

“Our approach takes account of the types of process being used at an organisation’s sites, their size and the relative proximity to areas of high conservation value. We’ll look at the likelihood that priority species will be present in the vicinity of these sites, the approach to environmental and estate management and the pre-existence or quality of relationships with relevant conservation organisations.”

Tim Hounsome, managing director of Biocensus adds, “This new service has been developed as an initial, cost effective tool for those wishing to assess the scale of biodiversity risk and opportunity in their organisation. The results of the assessment provide clients with a relative ranking of biodiversity risk and opportunity in a format compatible with a corporate risk register. The screening process enables companies to decide whether a more detailed investigation is warranted and if necessary to set the priorities for further work.”

Two Tomorrows and Biocensus also offer a complementary tool that assesses the relative maturity of a company’s, or a site’s approach to biodiversity management. This may be particularly helpful for companies pursuing an approach of continuous improvement. It enables biodiversity management arrangements to be integrated properly into existing arrangements such as a site or corporate EMS.

Combining forces earlier this year to offer a service assisting businesses to incorporate biodiversity into planning and operations, Two Tomorrows and Biocensus believe that few companies are yet to fully understand the risks and opportunities of biodiversity.

Mark Line continues, “There is a compelling business case for the incorporation of biodiversity into business planning and operations. Companies are increasingly aspiring towards long-term social and environmental sustainability for ethical reasons and in the interests of financial success, legislative compliance and risk management. The link between the health of the environment and the health of our economies is becoming clearer. However, although biodiversity issues present many opportunities and risks for the commercial sector, they have not been widely adopted into business thinking.”

Two Tomorrows and Biocensus will be joining business leaders and experts from around the world at the first Global Business of Biodiversity Symposium being held at Excel International Business Centre in London on 13th July 2010.

For more information, and for a download of the briefing paper Biodiversity and Business, written by Two Tomorrows and Biocensus, visit www.twotomorrows.com and www.biocensus.co.uk

Ends

For further information, contact:

Mark Line, Two Tomorrows, Tel: 01225 731 332

Tim Hounsome, Biocensus, Tel: 0845 459 4810

Issued by Penny Adair, Forsyth Websper, Tel: 0117 9040173 and

Nicki Websper, Forsyth Websper, Tel: 07789 980663

Notes to editors

Two Tomorrows is a leading sustainability consultancy with a global network of consultants and associates based out of offices in Europe, Asia and North America. Two Tomorrows believes in creating a sustainable future. This means working towards a world that is more just, prosperous and less polluted. Two Tomorrows helps companies to understand their sustainability challenges, allowing them to make informed decisions about doing business in a sustainable way, so performing better and creating value. Combining years of hard-won experience with sharp thinking, Two Tomorrows understands the issues of industry and provides strategic advice and hands-on practical support.

Biocensus is an ecological consultancy based in the UK. It provides advice to commercial clients, NGOs and government departments on the ecological impacts of their activities and methods of mitigation. The company has extensive experience of international conservation issues, including provision of advice on biodiversity issues to national governments and to multi-nationals in support of their corporate responsibility strategies.

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