Bridging business and biodiversity: An analysis of biodiversity assessment tools

Abstract

Corporate sustainability management is an increasingly emerging topic. Consequently, it is important for businesses to evaluate the impact of their activities on biodiversity and develop strategies to reduce their negative biodiversity impacts. This paper analyses 45 biodiversity assessment tools, proposed by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), that can be used by companies. The tools were analysed for the following characteristics: methods used in the tools, biodiversity topics covered, pressure and state biodiversity aspects, skill requirements, accessibility, user interface, integration of a map, developer group and assessment scope, and then compared using multidimensional scaling (MDS) to identify (dis-)similarities of the tools. Using qualitative analysis and MDS, we identified six main groups: software and web applications for biodiversity assessment, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools, Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) analysis tools, Geographic Information System (GIS)-based tools, index calculation methods and biodiversity related data repositories. Furthermore, the biodiversity related indicators in the tools differ greatly by scope, data and evaluation method. In view of the variety of methodological approaches, this study helps businesses to get an overview to subsequently select suitable biodiversity assessment methods. The study also presents a case study on the application of the tools for a wood-processing company and proposes a generalised biodiversity assessment approach for extractive industries. Future research should further explore the limitations of these tools, particularly regarding their practical application by different industry sectors. In the course of further tool development, concrete instructions for action to improve the state of biodiversity should also be integrated in the tools.