- Ornamental plant production burdens biodiversity: high resource consumption and invasive species harm the environment
- Publication offers solutions: New recommendations show ways to more sustainable production
- Certification as a key lever for biodiversity: clear standards can specifically promote the protection of biodiversity
Bonn, July 03, 2025: A bouquet of flowers on the table, a green oasis in the garden – plants brighten up our everyday lives. But what many people don’t know: Industrial production often has far-reaching consequences for nature and the environment. High consumption of peat and water, the use of chemical pesticides and invasive species endanger biodiversity. At the same time, there are more sustainable ways of cultivating plants that conserve resources and are more biodiversity-friendly.
The English-language publication “Recommendations for Managing and Enhancing Biodiversity in Floriculture Production” from the “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” project is the first to highlight the ecological challenges facing the industry – and the solutions that already exist. It is primarily aimed at standard setters and certifiers for cut and potted flowers. The publication also contains specific recommendations for producers and retailers.
In summary, the publication shows that decisive action to protect biodiversity in ornamental plant production is essential for nature, the economy and society. Only in this way can the industry fulfill its ecological responsibility and secure its future viability.
How the report was created:
Standard setters, associations, brands from the DIY and food retail sectors, market gardeners from various countries and representatives from science and civil society were consulted at four round tables in order to identify key challenges facing the sector in terms of biodiversity. Interviews, discussions and a public feedback phase allowed for further input before the recommendations were finalized by the project team. The aim is to sensitize standard setters, companies and producers to the importance of biodiversity and to identify concrete approaches for more sustainable production.
An economic factor with ecological side effects
Ornamental plant production is a global business worth billions. In the EU alone, flowers worth around 15 billion euros are imported every year – a large proportion of which comes from countries such as Kenya, Colombia and Ecuador. The intensive production brings challenges with it: the water consumption for just one rose is estimated at seven to 13 liters. In addition to the high water consumption, it is above all pesticides, the loss of natural habitats and the high CO₂ emissions from heated greenhouses that have an impact on the environment.
Nevertheless, there are already promising alternatives. More and more producers are turning to more environmentally friendly plant protection methods, sustainable substrates and water-saving irrigation systems. Some insect-friendly and local product ranges are also already being advertised in markets. The publication compiled by the Global Nature Fund (GNF) and the Lake Constance Foundation shows how these positive developments can be specifically promoted – and what role certifications play in this.
Ways to make ornamental plant production more biodiversity-friendly
In order to reduce the negative influence of the industry, ten certification standards of the ornamental plant industry relevant to the German market were examined in the brochure. The focus of the analysis was on four of the five main drivers of biodiversity loss, which the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) classifies as particularly crucial: Changes in land use, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution and the spread of invasive species. The study shows ways in which biodiversity can be actively protected and promoted – including through training, monitoring, reduction of pesticides, fertilizers and peat, as well as targeted biodiversity action plans.
The analysis shows that certifications are an important lever for biodiversity conservation. However, to be truly effective, they must establish clear criteria for the conservation of natural habitats, the protection of genetic diversity, the avoidance of invasive species and the sustainable use of resources. In addition to adapting certification standards, economic incentives are also needed for producers to make environmentally friendly methods practicable. Specialty stores also need to develop and market native and insect-friendly product ranges in a more targeted manner.
What happens next?
The publication with lots of helpful information and links is available to download free of charge from the UBi (Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt) website: Click here
The “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt” project team continues to advise standard setters in the ornamental plant industry on the further development and revision of their standards with regard to ambitious biodiversity criteria. Interested stakeholders are invited to contact the Global Nature Fund or the Lake Constance Foundation.
Further information:
Details and further content on the Round Table for Ornamental Plants can be found here: Biodiversity in plant production
Further information on the sector check for DIY and home improvement stores: Global Nature Fund | Biodiversity Check
About “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi”
The aim of the “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” project is to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) and to activate companies for the topic of biodiversity. The project is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) as part of the Federal Biological Diversity Program with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).
Both the recommendations for biodiversity criteria in ornamental plant production and the biodiversity industry check for the DIY sector were developed as part of the UBi project by the Global Nature Fund.
Other project partners are: The Lake Constance Foundation, ‘Biodiversity in Good Company’-Initiative e.V., DIHK Service GmbH & Collaborating Center on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP).
www.unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de
About the Global Nature Fund (GNF)
The Global Nature Fund (GNF) is an international foundation registered in Germany with many years of experience in the implementation of water projects. The GNF is committed to sustainable global development within planetary boundaries through worldwide nature and environmental protection projects. The aim is to promote a healthy planet and intact biological diversity as the basis of life for people and nature. The GNF focuses on nature conservation, climate protection, water protection and economy & sustainability.
About the Lake Constance Foundation
The Lake Constance Foundation is a private environmental and nature conservation organization based in Radolfzell on Lake Constance. The foundation works on a project-oriented basis for greater sustainability and nature conservation in the international Lake Constance region and beyond. It works in the four fields of action of energy transition, agriculture & food, nature & water protection and business & biodiversity with different focal points. To the website of the Lake Constance Foundation
Contact us
Global Nature Fund
Tina Feil
Communications & Marketing Manager
Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4
78315 Radolfzell
Phone: +49 7732 9995 874
Email: feil@globalnature.org
Website: www.globalnature.org
Bodensee-Stiftung
Sven Schulz
Program Manager Enterprise & Biolog. Diversity
Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4
78315 Radolfzell
Phone: +49 7732 9995 441
Email: sven.schulz@bodensee-stiftung.org
Website: www.bodensee-stiftung.org
Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production gGmbH (CSCP)
Katrin Hüttepohl
Communication Manager
Hagenauer Straße 30
42107 Wuppertal
Phone: +49 202 459 58 – 17
E-mail: info@unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de
Website: www.cscp.org