Involvement of Key Players
Industry and Business
Recommendation (dd). We are disappointed with the very limited involvement of industry in biodiversity matters. A much wider range of industries (particularly development and others which deal with significant areas of land) should aim to incorporate biodiversity into their operations and, if possible, draw up their own Biodiversity Action Plans. The Confederation of British Industry should be at the forefront of efforts to promote biodiversity in the business world. If industry cannot be persuaded to take biodiversity seriously, Government should take action to require them to do so. We note the Minister’s suggestion that companies could all be required to draw up environmental accounts and recommend that this is pursued.
Recommendation (ee). We recommend that the Champions scheme be relaunched with some new target ‘sectors’ involved (eg house-builders, grain/feed manufacturers, supermarkets). There should be a regional and local aspect to the promotion of the scheme and it should aim to raise the profile of biodiversity amongst the wider public.
The Government shares the Committee’s wish to see a wider range of companies incorporating biodiversity into their planning and operations. The Confederation of British Industry is represented on the UK Biodiversity Group and the Government agrees that it should be involved in promoting biodiversity to industry.
The Government has provided Earthwatch UK with an Environmental Action Fund Grant to assist the establishment of a Business and Biodiversity Rescource Centre providing information and advice to companies on how they can become involved in conserving biodiversity. On company environmental reporting, in his speech to the CBI/Green Alliance conference last October the Prime Minister challenged the top 350 UK companies to produce environmental reports voluntarily by the end of 2001. Also, the relaunched ‘Making a Corporate Commitment’ (MACC2) campaign, which helps companies take the first steps towards environmental management and reporting, specifically recommends that companies consider biodiversity as a key impact of businesses on the environment.
The Government believes that the ‘Champions’ scheme offers businesses and lead partner conservation organisations opportunities to conclude mutually beneficial sponsorship arrangements to support the conservation of biodiversity at both the national and local level. We will continue to promote the benefits of the scheme through the Business and Biodiversity Resource Centre, including at any regional or local business events.
Published 21 May 2001
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