Biodiversity and Business

Transcription

1 Biodiversity and Business Challenges and Opportunities for Irish Industry Notice Nature Biodiversity and Business Seminar, Newbridge, Co. Kildare Tuesday, 23 rd October 2007

2 Biodiversity The variability among living organisms from all sources Terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part Diversity within and between species, of genes, habitats and ecosystems, and even landscapes.

3 Biodiversity People and human cultures are part of biodiversity too Humans are a driving factor in global environmental health Not usually a positive one

4 Ecosystem Services No organism can exist on its own People depend on biodiversity, as do all living organisms. Species upon ecosystems, ecosystems upon habitats, habitats upon ecological relationships. Life supports Life

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6 Support for Society and Industry Natural resources food, timber, fibre, fuel, medicines, clean and fresh water supplies, water quantity, healthy soil, healthy food Cultural services landscape features, traditional knowledge, tourism Break-down of pollution and wastes, flood prevention

7 Support for Society and Industry Amenity and recreation health and fitness, freedom from stress, spiritual value Physical health freedom from disease, medicinal resources, medical research Social health community relationships, cohesiveness, security and stability Overall Quality of Life

8 Is nature really that important?

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13 Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic plan to achieve, by the year 2010, a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity EU 2010 commitment halt biodiversity loss by 2010

14 The Ecological Footprint The Ecological Footprint = amount of biologically productive land and water a population requires for both the resources it consumes, and to absorb the waste it produces In 2001 the global population was utilising an average of 2.2 hectares per person, 20% more than is available on the planet.

15 The Ecological Footprint

16 The Ecological Footprint Ireland is 3 the 10 th most destructive out of 149 countries, using over 2 6 global hectares per head of population that s 1 equivalent to three planet s worth. 0 Arab Emirates Kuwait USA Australia Finland Sweden Estonia Canada Denmark Ireland Norway France New Zealand Greece UK

17 Biodiversity and Business Why bother? Six main interconnected trends affecting global ecosystems Water Scarcity Habitat change Overexploitation of Oceans Climate change Biodiversity loss Water Scarcity

18 Biodiversity and Business Why bother? Business interests, at all levels, are the major driver of ecosystem change in many regions The argument of the environment OR the economy is out of date Healthy economy is fully dependent upon a healthy environment Biodiversity conservation is a critical responsibility of all business sectors

19 Biodiversity and Business Why bother? Economic gains at the expense of environmental health cannot be sustained Human, plant and animal health, resource quality, resource availability, waste management Long term economic stability requires long term ecosystem stability

20 Biodiversity and Business Why bother? 66 per cent of the planet's ecosystem services are currently being degraded by human activity Businesses can play a significant part in biodiversity decline OR conservation.

21 Balance Sheet Ecosystem Services

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24 Climate Change Major threat to biodiversity and to the economy Many impacts on the economy will arise as a result of ecosystem change, habitat loss, invasive species, extinction etc.

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27 Biodiversity and Business Why bother? If we can t provide ecosystem services for ourselves here at home, we must get them somewhere else Over dependence upon foreign biodiversity resources is extremely risky growing competition for dwindling reserves Protect our assets vs. squander our assets Global significance of local actions

28 Nature conservation Sustainability Economic growth Social development

29 The Irish situation Imported services Food, fuel, fibre, timber, water, medicines, disease regulation, air quality, fisheries, global climate regulation Internal use Food, fuel, fibre, timber, water, disease regulation, air quality, fisheries, local climate regulation Exported services Food, fibre our green image (?) The balance?

30 Ecosystem Degradation & Business Risk Operational increased scarcity / cost of raw materials Regulatory new government policies, incl. taxes Public reputation (NGOs, consumers) Access to capital restrictions as financial community becomes more rigorous

31 Opportunities Development of new business, new products, new services that are eco friendly Development of new businesses, new products, new services based upon sustainable exploitation and conservation of natural capital New business that restore, enhance, deliver, maintain ecosystem services.

32 Opportunities Public image - Stewardship Environmental certification Reduce exposure to regulatory limitations or impacts Avoid or offset costs significant potential E.g. Water and energy conservation, waste minimisation

33 Taking the first steps Assess impacts and dependence upon ecosystems Explore and pursue new business opportunities Reduce impacts, scale-up solutions Make links with wider community- public, NGOs, regulatory bodies

34 Business and Ecosystems Issue Brief Ecosystem Challenges and Business Implications

35 Thank you Thanks to Lorraine Fitzgerald and colleagues at Notice Nature For further information, booklets, support, contact Go to