As we celebrate the 24th annual International Day for Biological Diversity (22nd May), it’s a good time for businesses to reflect on the part they can play in reversing the decline of biodiversity.
Whilst there is a lot of noise around the climate crisis and net zero targets, the sub-topic of biodiversity is often overlooked in corporate spaces or dismissed as the remit of industries such as agriculture. However, there are policies and initiatives that businesses of all sizes can introduce that may have tangible impacts.
Firstly, it’s worth addressing the elephant in the room: what’s the business case for biodiversity? How do we justify the additional spend of environmental practices?
Well, the reasons are substantial and, in fact, complement long term fiscal responsibility:
Matching consumer demand
Both the customers of today and tomorrow are environmentally literate and want to buy from brands that match their values. Research conducted by SAP1 showed that over half of those surveyed (55%) said they’d be willing to pay more for sustainable and ethically sourced products, a number that increases when considering 18–34-year-old shoppers (69%).
Cost savings
The decline of biodiversity leads to scarcity in raw materials and higher costs. Tackling the issue at its source not only shows willingness to be part of the solution but makes good financial sense.
Sustainable supply chains
The increase in extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, heatwaves and forest fires, drastically disrupts supply chains.
Knowing you need to act is half the battle. So, with a business case secured, we’d like to share a few tried-and-tested ways your organisation can play its part.
Bring your staff on the journey
Colleague engagement is vital to enact real change. As we can see from initiatives such as Hannah’s (above), one of the best ways to encourage a culture shift is education through participation.
Giving employees a volunteer day is another great way to encourage participation on their own terms. This could involve an organised litter-pick, tree planting or bug-house building, or employees volunteering independently with their choice of community project.
Less waste, more efficiency
Reducing waste is a doubly effective way of supporting biodiversity because it reduces emissions to air, land or water both in the production of resources and, at the other end, in waste disposal. Efficient use of resources reduces consumption and will also cut day-to-day running costs for your organisation. Here are just a few ways you can reduce waste going to landfill:
- Reuse materials, such as paper that has only been printed on one side
- Buy refillable for the office kitchen – source your office refreshments from refill stores or reduced-packaging suppliers.
- Food waste can be composted onsite (and used by that new employee Gardening Club!), or collected by a local organic waste company, reducing waste to landfill
- Recycling is not just for paper and plastics. Through collection services or seeking out local drop off points, your organisation can recycle printer cartridges, mobile phones, computers and even uniforms!
In January 2023 we introduced a mass clothing recycling policy that turned our team’s old PGL uniforms into refuse-derived fuel!
Review your procurement process
Use your power as a consumer to source sustainably, both in terms of the product and the supplier. The scale of this runs the gambit from choosing FSC paper to understanding the policies of your service providers.
In September 2024, PGL Beyond undertook a supply chain audit across roughly 3000 suppliers. The insights gleaned from this task informed an understanding of our footprint, where we can make improvements and how we can support our suppliers to move towards sustainability. Read more about these insights on our blog: Here’s what we learned from our supply chain audit.
PGL Beyond on its B Corp journey
Be a hub for birds and bugs
Making a habitat for birds and bugs doesn’t mean needing lots of green space. Bird houses and bug hotels are a great option for businesses with less space or in urban areas. Installing these small, but impactful, structures around the outside of your offices could serve a vital role in the local ecosystem.
Birdhouses provide shelter and nesting sites for birds who are finding it increasingly hard to nest in the UK, while bug hotels are designed to attract and house beneficial insects and other small creatures. Bug hotels can also serve as a haven for insects to hibernate or find refuge during poor weather conditions.
PGL Marchants Hill placed bird and bug houses across their centre
Hopefully you can see something among the above ideas that you could bring to your organisation, whatever your size, because the preservation of biodiversity is not just an environmental issue, but a business imperative, and the steps you take today will shape both your organisation’s impact and its reputation.
Feeling inspired, or have a different biodiversity initiative you’d like to shout about? We’d love to hear your story. Get in touch on [email protected].
About International Day for Biodiversity 2025, taken from Convention on Biological Diversity website.
The theme of the #BiodiversityDay 2025 is “Harmony with nature and sustainable development
Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth. It is fundamental to human well-being, a healthy planet, and economic prosperity for all people. We depend on it for food, medicine, energy, clean air and water, protection from natural disasters as well as recreation and cultural inspiration.
