Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi

Background

The project Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi continues the initiative of the same name launched in 2013 as part of the Federal Programme on Biological Diversity.

"Companies need biodiversity as an indispensable economic foundation. However, biodiversity also needs the commitment of companies to a sustainable and nature-friendly use of our resources."

Sabine Riewenherm, President of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation

Project Goals

UBi aims to raise awareness of the issue of biodiversity among businesses, business and industry associations, and in this way also motivate businesses to give the issue high priority. One focus is on dialogue between business, politics and nature conservation. The protection of biodiversity should become an integral part of corporate management. In this way, negative impacts of business activities on biodiversity can be reduced and positive ones strengthened. The measures, initiatives and specific instruments developed for this purpose are intended to take the necessary change for the protection of biodiversity a big step forward.

You can also find detailed information at www.unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de

Project Measures

Dialogue & networking:
The project partner DIHK will disseminate the topic of biodiversity nationwide through various offers for the chambers of industry and commerce and network companies locally in alliances. Biodiversity roadshows will provide interested companies with basic knowledge; individual consultations and coaching round off the offer. In addition, regular meetings and public events bring business actors into dialogue with NGOs and politicians. Annual dialogue forums enable an exchange on current developments in the field of biodiversity and business.
Biodiversity criteria in standards and company labels:
In order to anchor the still neglected criterion of biodiversity in standards and labels, the project partners are revising criteria catalogues from three selected sectors. Here, too, dialogue with standard organisations and companies with their own labels plays an important role.
Biodiversity in corporate management:
Companies of all sectors and sizes are to be supported in taking biodiversity aspects into account in their environmental management. An online self-check is being developed for a low-threshold start. In addition, comprehensive guidelines for the integration of biodiversity into corporate biodiversity management (EMAS, ISO, Ökoprofit) will be developed and webinars offered.
Sector-specific biodiversity checks:
In order to sensitise companies more specifically to the issue of biodiversity, specific checklists are being developed for 5 selected sectors. They are intended to support the creation of individual biodiversity action plans.
Raising awareness in the financial sector:
Due to the large steering effect of the financial sector, it should be specifically motivated to take biodiversity into account when granting loans, investments and ratings. For this purpose, appropriate assessment criteria will be developed, individual consultations for financial institutions will be offered and a dialogue series will be launched.
Biodiversity in the food sector:
Food for Biodiversity e.V. is supported in testing its basic set of biodiversity criteria in pilot projects. An accompanying programme is being developed and a monitoring system implemented.
Mainstreaming near-natural company premises:
In order for biodiversity to become the norm on company premises, a label is to be awarded for appropriately designed outdoor facilities and an organisation working on the topic in the long term is to be established.