Tools: Supplier evaluation
Supplier evaluations use selection criteria to help the company choose the best suppliers. Such selection criteria allow for ecological standards to be integrated into the supplier selection process.
Management Cycle Stages
Using a systematic management “plan-do-check-act” cycle to implement a corporate biodiversity management process allows for proper business orientation, for example, as is used when part of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) or ISO 14000.
Finding the business-specific relationship between company and biodiversity is, however, made more difficult by the complexity and extent of biodiversity (ecosystem, species, and genetic pool). The criteria “rareness” and “endangerment” of species and habitats act as a point of orientation. Aids in determining such threats to biodiversity such as the “Red List”, the European Union’s Habitats Directive along with the EU’s Birds Directive and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Scientific expertise is often required in cases where specific plans are made. This is an area where local environment and nature conservation groups can provide businesses with technical know-how, representing an opportunity to deepen the cooperation with regional NGOs.
Screen - S
Screen and identify fields of action
Check - C
Measure success
Fields of action
Fields of action in can be identified and set by analysing where a company’s activities have a either direct or indirect influence on biodiversity. The spatial relation to biological diversity is intuitively connected to the sites and facilities field of action. Corporate activities influence biodiversity in other ways though as well.
Supply chains, commodities and materials
The types of commodities and raw materials used also impact biodiversity. For example the acquisition of minerals, energy, agricultural products, fish, wood, medicinal herbs or plants – genetically modified or not – impacts regions that often do not belong to the businesses benefiting from them. Such unintended consequences can be reduced or avoided altogether by implementing the appropriate supply chain management. The supply chain management is the starting point for regulating extraction methods as well as the quantity and quality of purchased materials. Similarly, this approach is applicable to the service sector. To a great extent this industry also uses raw materials such as paper and goods whose production can positively or negatively impact biodiversity.
Best Practice Examples: Otto Group – Supply chain management
The Otto Group shows how commercial enterprises can have a positive impact on raw material production. For example, the company promotes the sustainable production of cotton in Africa by controlling its product line and ecologically managing their supply chain. In addition, for the production of furniture, the Otto Group procures its wood using a strategy that hinders the use of endangered wood species and timber illegally logged from forests.
Additional information about Supply chains, commodities and materials
