Why Biodiversity Matters for Your Net Zero Strategy

When businesses think about climate action, carbon dominates the conversation. But a growing body of evidence -- and a new wave of global frameworks -- is making it clear that you cannot tackle net zero without addressing biodiversity. At our panel event 'Your Net Zero Journey and The Team You Need', experts explained why nature must be central to any credible climate strategy.

Getting Out of the Carbon Tunnel

Paul Coverdale from Business Declares put it bluntly: everyone needs to get out of the carbon tunnel. You cannot think about decarbonising without thinking about nature, because until we have technological means of removing carbon from the air at scale, we are relying on natural systems -- soil, forests, oceans -- to do it for us. If you are not thinking about biodiversity, you are missing half of the equation.

Emma Littlewood from Compare Your Footprint reinforced this point with a cautionary tale: when governments mandated diesel cars to reduce greenhouse gases, they overlooked the toxic air pollution effects on human health. The same tunnel vision risk applies to corporate climate strategies. If you just look at carbon, you are missing the point.

New Frameworks for Business

Several major frameworks are emerging to help businesses integrate nature into their strategies. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), established alongside the existing climate-focused TCFD, is developing a global framework for businesses to assess and disclose their nature-related risks and impacts. Science Based Targets for Nature is also in development, including the FLAG (Forestry, Land and Agriculture) project for land-dependent sectors.

The numbers are stark: more than 50 percent of the world's entire economic output -- estimated at 44 trillion dollars -- is either moderately or highly dependent on nature. Supply chain disruptions from climate events are not just theoretical. As Emma noted, the combination of Brexit, COVID, and the war in Ukraine has already shown how fragile supply chains can be.

Practical Examples: What Businesses Are Doing

Paul shared findings from a Business Declares member survey revealing over 70 specific nature actions already being taken. These fall into three categories: making pledges and starting internal conversations about nature; donating money to nature restoration projects; and taking direct practical action.

Pukka, the B Corp tea company, has pursued Fair and Wild certification for its organic farms. These certified farms are 50 percent more biodiverse -- meaning 50 percent greater variety of insects, birds, and other animal and plant life -- compared to conventional farming.

Triodos Bank, having already reduced their scope 1 and 2 emissions significantly, is now actively investing in projects and partnerships that restore nature. Brands has partnered with Kingsdale Head Farm in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where 400 of the farm's 600 acres are peatlands -- a fantastic natural carbon sink. The partnership is unlocking funding to ensure the farm can properly manage and protect these environments over three years.

Rutherford Organics took a different approach, partnering with a consultancy to build their own biodiversity assessment tool. They found it complex -- having to balance costs, returns, community input, biodiversity impact, and sequestration -- but ultimately decided not to wait for accredited frameworks. If there is scientific evidence that a practice benefits soil health, just get on with it.

Soil, Seagrass, and Carbon Sinks

Soil is one of the biggest carbon sinks in the world. Not tilling land and maintaining soil health is directly connected to both biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Healthy soil supports a more biodiverse range of plants, which in turn supports insect populations and broader ecosystems.

Marine environments are equally important. Wildlife Trusts around the UK are running seagrass restoration projects -- such as the one in the Solent -- and are beginning to reach out to businesses to get involved. These nature-based solutions speak well to staff and customers, provide genuine environmental impact, and often exist right on your geographic doorstep.

Climate Risk and Nature

Emma urged businesses to embed climate risk into their culture at the same level as other business risks. Even office-based companies have value chain vulnerabilities. If your business relies on a raw ingredient to make a product, that supply chain can be disrupted by a catastrophic climate or biodiversity event at any point. The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) is widening its net, and more companies each year are required to report climate risk in their annual filings.

Do Not Wait -- Start Now

The consistent message from the panel was clear: do not wait for global frameworks to tell you what to do. The Soil Association can help assess nature-based solutions. Local Wildlife Trusts have projects you can support. Think about the geographic footprint of your own business -- there will be something near you. These actions are good for nature, good for your staff, good for your customers, and increasingly good for your bottom line.