CEBDS brought together experts to discuss the Brazilian Business Commitment to Biodiversity, launched a year ago in October last year. The topic was discussed at the workshop Biodiversity Performance: How to calculate Net Positive Impact on Thursday (10/29).
The goal of enhancing conservation and recovery actions in the regions where the company operates, seeking a net positive impact on biodiversity, is one of the nine goals established in the commitment. The event was opened by Henrique Luz, technical advisor at CEBDS. Luiz Sanchez, full professor at the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo; Malcolm Starley, from the Biodiversity Consultancy; and Alice Alexandre, from the Life Institute.
Measuring the impacts of biodiversity is complex because it is necessary to calculate changes in different links in the chain: species, diversity within species themselves, and ecosystems. But Malcom Starley explains that without measurements, it is impossible to calculate damage or establish feasible goals and commitments. The difficult part, as shown, is choosing a metric that is faithful to reality.
Case studies were presented showing the advantages and disadvantages of some metrics. Maria Alice, from Instituto Life, detailed the methodology developed by the company, which is based on three steps: 1) Diagnosis of the company's situation and identification of conservation priorities, characterization of the landscape. 2) Measurement of business pressure: what is the organization's biodiversity pressure index, minimum performance to offset residual impacts. 3) Response: action plan in relation to biodiversity, policy, and assessment of the supply chain.
Luiz Enrique Sanchez, author of the book “Environmental Management Assessment: Concepts and Methods”, explained how a large business project can achieve zero or positive impact: “Biodiversity components must be included in the project implementation phase. If we are going to achieve zero net loss or positive net gain, we need tools, but also government regulations and specific cases.”
Brazil is home to the greatest biodiversity on the planet, with more than 20% of the total number of species. Due to its position, the country has a special contribution to make in meeting national and international biodiversity protection goals.
