C 3–1 Primary Checklist for general biodiversity friendly supply chain arrangement

Introduction
Consider the following tips as a starting point for a general, biodiversity friendly supply chain set-up.
C 3–1–1 General considerations for your supply chain with regards for the impacts on biodiversity.
Analyse your supply chain. Define the stations along it, which interact with biodiversity. During your evaluation, ask questions such as: Where are the products originally coming from? How have the products been processed or refined? What kinds of substances / materials were used to process them? Where did these substances / materials come from?

Applicable / Feasible?

Run the “lifecycle analysis” / “product lifecycle management” tests on your products or services. These tests can be helpful in defining the processes involved in the raw materials, the procurement process, the processing practices, the distribution habits, as well as consumption trends and disposal issues. Through this analysis there can be a connection drawn with biological diversity. (Cf. Checklists C 5 and C 8).

Applicable / Feasible?

Get information from the local/regional nature and environmental organisations, where your company procures its raw materials and preliminary products. Research the impacts on the environment through these activities.

Applicable / Feasible?

Regarding your biodiversity impact, check if your raw materials and preliminary products come from biodiversity hotspots. Compare the results with other similar products from other regions.

Applicable / Feasible?

Consider the disposal methods used in the procurement of the raw materials and preliminary products. Give favor to products, which are part of agreements to limit waste production and use as many biodegradable and or recyclable materials in the processing cycle.

Applicable / Feasible?

Make sure to coordinate and regularly align the actions concerning environmental issues engaged in by purchasing, product development and manufacturing.

Applicable / Feasible?

C 3–1–2 Reduction of biodiversity impacts through dialog and constructive cooperation with preliminary product suppliers of all kinds.
Arrange with the manufacturers and suppliers in your supply chain a clear code of conduct set to protect biodiversity. This allows for clarity and transparence regarding biodiversity and environmental standards.

Applicable / Feasible?

You should principally favour suppliers that regularly maintain an environmental and biodiversity certification checked by a third party.

Applicable / Feasible?

Arrange for greater transparency and accountability with your suppliers of primary materials by organising audits and checks by third party consultants regarding biodiversity preservation.

Applicable / Feasible?

Cooperate with other purchasers and/or principals to attain a biodiversity friendly supply chain, through which you are able to support the demand for the corresponding biodiversity proof / certification.

Applicable / Feasible?

Arrange with your suppliers sustainable environmental agreements. Examples of this are free returns and recycling of one-way containers or switching to re-usable products. Set up with all suppliers from your entire preliminary supply chain clear standards regarding biodiversity-preserving modes of operation. Arrange for all of your suppliers mandatory packaging as well as waste management policies. Offer through extensive dialog incentives to maintain these standard, especially to your small suppliers.

Applicable / Feasible?

Require your suppliers to deliver regular reports on their biodiversity-friendly construction, demolition and production processes. This can be in the form of product brochures, information about the environment or also their certifications.

Applicable / Feasible?

Motivate your suppliers to pass on the standards agreed upon with your company to their suppliers.

Applicable / Feasible?

When acquiring preliminary products abroad, get information about industry associations and / or environment partnerships that take into account biodiversity criteria. Make an effort to cooperate with suppliers in such groups.

Applicable / Feasible?

For the case that you are currently not purchasing products from verified suppliers, or your suppliers are not part of any associations, show them the advantages and possibilities of doing biodiversity conscious business. Certain producers (especially in developing and newly industrialised countries) may need help in implementing and fulfilling biodiversity-preserving criteria. To aid this transition process you can offer technical support, working groups, joint workshops or even capacity building workshops. Working together with local NGOs and educational institutions will help in the process.

Applicable / Feasible?

Make an effort to also cooperate with local initiatives and groups in the supply country to ensure effective capacity building.

Applicable / Feasible?

Create supply chain partnerships as a way to quickly and effectively distribute new information. This will help you further the development of your biodiversity-friendly arrangements. The Trickle-Down-Effect of knowledge and competences throughout your supply chain will benefit all.

Applicable / Feasible?

Consider starting local co-ownership-programmes to develop and maintain a consistent biodiversity strategy. Possible areas for such programmes include, sharing stakes in production facilities, plantations or other raw material extraction regions.

Applicable / Feasible?

Additional Tips
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Helpful Links und Organisations for Detailed Checklists C 3–1 , C 3–2 and C 3–3

undefinedwww.biodiversityhotspots.org

The biodiversityhotspots.org webpage is an initiative of the US non-profit organisation Conservation International. Its goal is to preserve the biodiversity of plants, animals and landscapes around the world. They place a particular emphasis on “biodiversity hotspots” – land and ocean areas with rather high diversity of species.

undefinedwww.ethos.org.br

The Brazilian non-profit organisation, Ethos, exemplifies a network focused on responsible businesses in newly industrialised countries, as these are often the country of origin for many raw and preliminary materials.

undefinedwww.icmm.com

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) is an initiative, which represents many other large international mining and steal production enterprises as well as regional and national organisations. It plays a crucial role in spreading “good practices” around and improving industry standards. It is also an industry and stakeholder platform focused on overcoming the new challenges surrounding the principles of sustainable development.

undefinedhttp://lcinitiative.unep.fr

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) have started the Lifecycle Initiative with the goal of better implementing various aspects of a product’s lifecycle in practice. This also includes developing helpful tools, data sets and indicators for product manufacturers of all industries. This information will be made available through an online webpage. The webpage provides additional information about regional networks. 

undefinedwww.netzwerk-naturschutz-le.at

The Austrian Netzwerk Naturschutz (Nature Protection Network) presents transparent information on its website about nature conservation measures and implementation issues in rural development. This site supports a standardised interpretation as well as an important transnational platform for exchanging experiences.  DOC MISSING

undefinedwww.unglobalcompact.org

The UN Global Compact is a strategic initiative for businesses are committed to act and develop strategies according to ten universally recognised principles, to which environmental issues belong.

undefinedwww.wbcsd.org

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has a database of case studies and best practice examples from businesses in many branches.  They also give good examples for supply chain programmes. You will also find a number of links and resources about environmental initiatives. 

undefinedwww.unep-wcmc.org

The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre provides a lot of information about biodiversity, endangered species and their protection.  This information is visually integrated into the website with a number of interactive maps showing where endangered species can be found worldwide.

How the Checklists work

With the checklists' various fields of action you will be able to assess your company's situation.  For each field of action, there is a quick check along with multiple other detailed checklists.  Fill in the relevant checklists one after the other.  At the end you can print out and send or email us the completed questionnaire.

Note:

The entries are meant to aid you in your self-evaluation and will not be saved or used by us or any other third party organisation.

 

 

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