Biodiversity & Business

Biodiversity benefits business

Scotland's National Outcome for Business is "We live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place for doing business in Europe  ."   Incentives to attract business are important and Scotland's outstanding natural environment can be of them.  A view from an office can create a sense of wellbeing.  Living close to outdoor areas with recreational potential is a bonus.

Businesses can help employees and the public enjoy biodiversity by adding value to the work place, creating a green working environment. 

Business can help by contributing to Scotland's carbon emmission reduction targets  , reducing emmissions and working in an environmentally friendly way.  For example the Construction Industry Research and Information Association    provides guidance to its section of industry on environmental good practice.

Building better biodiversity on site

There are many things that a business can do for biodiversity.  Consider preparing a biodiversity plan or biodiversity strategy.  This can provide targets and engage staff.  A plan is something to be proud of.  If you have carried out positive works for biodiversity, you might be eligible for an award  to showcase your green credentials. 

Biodiversity offsetting - building biodiversity off site

Sometimes it is inevitable that biodiversity will be lost as a consequence of development. Where possible biodiversity offsetting is something to consider. The following definition of biodiversity offsets is from Defra's Natural Environment White Paper  and which provides biodiversity advice for England:

"Biodiversity offsets are conservation activities designed to deliver biodiversity benefits in compensation for losses in a measurable way.

 "Good developments incorporate biodiversity considerations in their design but are still likely to result in some biodiversity loss. One way to compensate for this loss is by offsetting: the developer secures compensatory habitat expansion or restoration elsewhere."