Environmental impact is becoming increasingly important for organisations looking to improve the efficiency of their business and reduce waste and costs.
One aspect of environmental impact which still remains relatively unclear to businesses is biodiversity.
However, biodiversity is rapidly becoming a business imperative. From legislative shifts like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) to the growing power of green prescribing, protecting and enhancing nature is now interwoven with business sustainability, wellbeing, and even bottom lines.
What is Biodiversity and why should you care?
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth and underpins everything we depend on: food, clean water, air quality, and climate regulation. Yet it’s in crisis. Globally, wildlife populations have plummeted by nearly 70% since baselines were established in 1970, and the UK sits as one of the most naturedepleted countries in the world.
Businesses are both impacted by and are contributors to biodiversity loss. Whether you’re a landowner, supplier, builder, retailer, or office-based service, your operations rely on functioning ecosystems in one way or another.
Speaking with Biodiverse Consulting
One organisation leading the way in placing biodiversity at the heart of environmental action is Biodiverse Consulting. Their mission is to ensure that infrastructure and development projects meet compliance standards, as well as actively contributing to nature’s recovery.
Founder and MD, Vicki Mordue, said, “We’ve reached a point where biodiversity can no longer be treated as an afterthought. It’s an environmental issue with business implications affecting risk, reputation, and resilience. We help organisations see biodiversity not as a constraint, but as an opportunity to lead, innovate and create lasting value for both people and planet. We genuinely believe businesses and biodiversity go hand in hand.”
Enter Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
BNG is now a legal requirement in England for most major new developments. Developers must leave the natural environment in a better state than they found it, ensuring a 10% biodiversity uplift through on- or off-site habitat creation.
Landowners, local authorities, ecologists, and corporate land managers are now being asked to demonstrate biodiversity improvements, often creating new revenue streams or risks for those who aren’t prepared. Businesses can seize this as an opportunity to show leadership, partner with developers, and embed biodiversity into their environmental reporting.
Speaking about BNG, Vicki shared: “BNG is more than a policy, it’s a mindset shift. It challenges us to think beyond compliance and ask how development can actively restore nature. When done well, it’s not just good for biodiversity, it’s good for communities, climate resilience, and longterm business strategy.”
The Business Benefits of Boosting Biodiversity
Here are just a few ways engaging with biodiversity can connect to your commercial goals:
Access to funding and contracts: projects that enhance nature score well in social value assessments.
Employee engagement and retention: nature-based initiatives are a fantastic way to involve staff in sustainability and wellbeing programmes.
Customer and stakeholder trust: biodiversity projects show tangible, placebased impact to consumers who want to support businesses that tread lightly on the planet.
Climate resilience: green infrastructure like living roofs or hedgerows help manage flood risk, reduce urban heat, and support pollinators, and future proof your business.
You don’t need acres of land or a big budget. Start with simple steps like planting native wildflowers, shrubs or trees; or collaborate with wildlife trusts, conservation charities or local nature organisations.
Environmental accreditation frameworks like Investors in the Environment (iiE) can help you identify nature-based actions relevant to your business, track impact, incorporate them into your environmental strategy, and ultimately receive recognition for your efforts.
Biodiversity isn’t just a nature issue; it’s a business one. By protecting and enhancing the ecosystems around us, we strengthen our communities, support our staff, and secure the natural foundations of our economy.
Want to get started on your biodiversity journey or learn how iiE can help? Visit genee.org.uk or send us an email jo@genee.org.uk, or contact Vicki at vicki.mordue@biodiverseconsulting.co.uk