Derek Whatling

Managing the Impact on Biodiversity of Supply Chain Companies: Assessing the Business Risks and Opportunities Relating to Biodiversity Aspects in the Company Supply Chain Derek Whatling

Industrial development has had a major role in creating the situation where bio-diverse materials and services essential for sustaining business are under threat. A key contributory factor to biodiversity decline comes from the cumulative impacts of extended supply chain business operations. In order to contribute to stopping this decline, the industrial world needs to form a better understanding of the way it utilizes the business and biodiversity agenda in its wider operations. This thesis investigates the perceptions and attitudes to biodiversity from government, society and a wide cross-section of industry. The research includes the extent of corporate attention to and use of environmental business tools and guidelines in reporting on biodiversity issues. A case study of three companies from different industrial sectors is undertaken to observe procurement and related environmental management of their supply chains. The outcome is a methodology for incorporating the assessment and management of the potential risks and opportunities involving environmental impacts on biodiversity of supply chain companies.