Beehives on the roof, only organic products in the canteen and a well-thought-out bin sorting system. What do these projects have in common? These are three examples of corporate biodiversity projects. Biodiversity is a subject that is not always identified by companies as a priority. However, all companies, regardless of their size or field of activity, are concerned. Biodiversity provides so-called “ecosystem” services to companies. In return, these have an impact (very often negative) on biodiversity. This can take the form of waste or pollution (atmospheric, soil, etc.). To better understand the interdependence between biodiversity, business and the economy, many free and quality resources exist today. Some also tell you the right questions to ask yourself to initiate a biodiversity initiative.
There are also benchmarks that can help you better position yourself on biodiversity. Two of the most applied standards today in France are that of AFNOR and the one edited by Sciences Based Targetan ambitious initiative to fight against the degradation of our environment.
Biodiversity is another action and performance lever for companies. However, it is not always easy to identify concrete projects to implement. Discover in this article three examples of a project centered on biodiversity in French companies. If these examples inspire you and you want to think about the most relevant projects for your business, contact Nicomak today. We have been supporting and training our clients since 2009 on all subjects related to CSR and sustainable development.
Danone: A more sustainable supply chain management
In 2018, Danone launched its project “ One Planet.One Health“. This project seeks to include their suppliers in creating and maintaining a more sustainable, greener and better for biodiversity supply chain. For this, suppliers are required to meet the criteria defined by Danone. These same criteria come from different reference systems such as BCorp or the Science Based Targets initiative.
Danone bases its approach on three main pillars:
- Regenerative agriculture. By working with local farmers and suppliers, Danone seeks to foster farming practices that promote animal welfare, soil restoration, water retention and biodiversity enhancement. Fewer chemical fertilizers and greater crop diversity are two examples.
- The protection and restoration of natural ecosystems. Various actions are implemented with a horizon of 2025 and 2030. These actions include practices to exclude deforestation or reconversion. Encouraging the restoration of ecosystems must also benefit the living conditions of producers.
- Packaging compatible with the circular economy. Innovation is at the center of Danone’s efforts to create packaging that is reusable or compostable and completely decoupled from fossil resources.
Vivaqua: Reducing the amount of chemicals in drinking water
Vivaqua is a Belgian company in charge of supplying drinking water to several million people, particularly in the Brussels region. Since 2018, Vivaqua has implemented a project that aims to significantly reduce the use of chemicals to make water drinkable. Gradually, the chemicals traditionally used to purify water (chlorine, chlorine dioxide, etc.) are being replaced by a biological process called “advanced oxidation”. Micro-organisms naturally break down certain contaminants. The first tests are conclusive and Vivaqua aims to apply this new way of doing things to its entire network before 2030.
A French company, Aquamonts, uses a similar process to treat wastewater.
Wiseed and the LPO: Investing for the protection of birds and biodiversity
Wiseed is a crowdfunding platform. In connection with the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), Wiseed has launched a project to raise awareness of biodiversity issues but above all of financing. Thanks to its platform, Wiseed highlights biodiversity preservation projects carried out by companies (or by associations in other cases). Individuals can then directly support these projects identified by the LPO and which include, among other things, actions to preserve the habitats of certain endangered species or the reintroduction of key species into ecosystems.
Beyond this project, the LPO has set up support for companies on biodiversity. This support can take several formats but is always adapted to the specific problems and the context of the company. Many companies participate in this project; EDF and RTE, for example, are part of it.
Conclusion
Integrating biodiversity-related projects into your CSR strategy gives it a new dynamic. What may seem quite complex usually becomes quite obvious once an expert has looked into it. If you would like to be accompanied on the subject of biodiversity in business, contact our specialized consultants on the subject today. Many years of experience allow them to quickly identify the levers for action within your context and your company. Biodiversity brings significant opportunities to your business. It’s time to grab it!
