Whatling Derek R , Hedges Peter, Fermor Philip

An Assessment of Attitudes to Biodiversity within Company Supply Chain Management

Whatling Derek R **, Dr Hedges Peter *, Dr Fermor Philip **
* Environmental Systems and Safety Management Research Group - School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University Birmingham.
** Middlemarch Environmental Ltd, Birmingham Road, Coventry

Abstract

Biodiversity provides industry with the means to develop new products and technologies. However natural resources, which underpin sustainable business, continue to be used unsustainably or degraded by development. Businesses invariably have an impact through their supply chains with direct, indirect or cumulative local, national or international effects on biodiversity. The way companies deal with these impacts down their supply chains varies and may often depend on the industrial sector, knowledge of biological diversity, or level of understanding of the interdependence between biodiversity, economic growth, and social issues. A review of the literature on defining biodiversity and sustainable development is made along with current thinking on biodiversity decline and what may be driving and influencing attitudes to change in business. An example of best practice in company biodiversity policy in regard to suppliers is taken from three companies. This study will inform the development of a methodology to incorporate biodiversity impact assessments in company supply chains into their environmental management systems.

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