Biodiversity Management Practice Handbook (only german)
24. September 2024
How do companies succeed in integrating biodiversity requirements into their processes? The “Biodiversity Management Practice Handbook” provides an answer to this question. This handbook provides companies in the food industry with practical approaches for integrating biodiversity management and also incorporates the tools developed in BioVal. The practical handbook also contains examples from the real laboratory companies Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG, the Seeberger Group and FRoSTA AG, and shows how companies can identify biodiversity risks and take advantage of opportunities. The handbook guides you step by step through the processes, from analysis to the derivation of concrete measures and monitoring, in order to integrate biodiversity into corporate processes.
The ecoregion map: a building block in the risk analysis
24. September 2024
Not all biodiversity is the same. According to experts, the value of ecoregions varies greatly. However, this also means that there are regions where impacts on biodiversity are more severe than in others or, conversely, that you can achieve many good things for biodiversity with good management. In BioVal, we have developed a digital ecoregion map that you can use to obtain an initial assessment of the value of the various potential sourcing regions. The map is also used in the biodiversity footprint assessment using the BVI method. Click here to access the ecoregion map (https://bvi-method.org/ressourcen/ressourcen-fuer-lca-praktikerinnen/). Further information can also be found in the Biodiversity Management Practice Handbook.
Assess suppliers with regard to biodiversity using supplier questionnaires
24. September 2024
Impacts on biodiversity occur primarily at the origin of the raw materials. The supplier questionnaires developed in BioVal help to assess the performance of suppliers on biodiversity and thus also contribute to raising awareness of the issue. As part of BioVal, the supplier questionnaires - like all management approaches developed - were tested by the real laboratory companies and companies from the Biodiversity Working Group. The questionnaires can also be combined with the other approaches developed, such as the ecoregion map for analyzing the biodiversity value of cultivation regions and the biodiversity footprint. The questionnaires can be sent directly to suppliers. However, the questions can also be integrated into existing sustainability performance questionnaires. The following questionnaires are available:
Supplier questionnaire on aquatic biodiversity (fisheries, aquaculture)
24. September 2024
Supplier questionnaire on agriculture biodiversity
24. September 2024
Supplier questionnaire on agriculture biodiversity including assessment
24. September 2024
Biodiversity footprint as a basis for corporate decision-making
24. September 2024
The BVI method can be used to estimate the biodiversity impact of a company's own products. This works in a similar way to the CO2 footprint, which is already common practice in order to make the climate impact measurable. The biodiversity footprint makes it possible to measure the impact of one's own products along the supply chain on biodiversity and thus makes them controllable. Companies benefit from this analysis: without data, all they would have to do is guess. Possible applications include, for example, using the respective biodiversity footprints to compare different origins of the same product in terms of their impact on biodiversity. Another possibility is to calculate the biodiversity footprint for several scenarios in which, for example, the yield, the use of fertilizers or the fishing method are varied, in order to identify starting points for reducing negative influences on biodiversity and to derive targeted, effective measures for biodiversity protection. In this way, effective protection strategies can be derived that strengthen both the environment and the resilience of supply chains. The BVI method is also tried and tested and can be used even if the data on your own specific supply chains is not yet available. Curious? Click here to access the BVI method dashboard (https://bvi-method.org/ressourcen/ressourcen-fuer-lca-praktikerinnen/). Further information on the method can also be found in the Biodiversity Management Practical Handbook .
Building block for the Code of Conduct on Biodiversity (only german)
24. September 2024
Companies are not only required to manage biodiversity along the supply chain, they must also ensure that their suppliers are committed to biodiversity. One building block for this is to integrate biodiversity into the Supplier Code of Conduct. As part of BioVal, we have developed a more detailed and a less detailed module for you, which you are welcome to use. These modules were also developed together with the real laboratory companies.
Raising employee awareness and motivation for biodiversity (only german)
24. September 2024
Management tools can create the framework that helps to successfully integrate biodiversity into companies. However, this framework must be filled and the management tools must actually be used. And this is not possible without the employees. Accordingly, an important step towards successful integration is the development of knowledge within the company. Training for employees is an effective way of doing this. As part of BioVal, we have developed an exemplary set of slides for internal training courses to help companies explain to employees what is meant by biodiversity, why biodiversity is important for companies and what biodiversity has to do with their own supply chains. The training presentation also provides an outlook on how biodiversity can be managed in companies.
Presentation of results “Communicating corporate commitment to biodiversity conservation” on 15.05.2024 at the fifth Biodiversity Working Group (only german)
29. July 2024
As part of the online event series “Biodiversity Working Group” for companies in the food industry, key results of the second representative consumer survey with 1,500 respondents were presented on May 15, 2024. The survey was conducted by the Center for Technology and Society (ZTG) at the Technical University of Berlin. Using a conjoint analysis, sample products from the project partners Alfred Ritter GmbH&Co KG, FRoSTA AG and Seeberger GmbH were used to determine which design and statements on biodiversity protection are preferred by consumers and how these communication messages affect their willingness to pay for food produced in a biodiversity-friendly way.
Presentation "How can biodiversity be implemented in sustainability management?" at the LZ-Summit "Packaging & Sustainability" on 11.06.2024 (only german)
11. June 2024
The LZ Summit "Packaging and Sustainability" took place in Frankfurt am Main on June 10-11, 2024. Dr. Ulrike Eberle (ZNU, Project Manager BioVal) and Isabell Schäfer (Seeberger GmbH, Sustainability Officer) presented the results of the BioVal project. Dr. Ulrike Eberle explained the promotion of biodiversity along the food value chain and the BVI method for quantifying biodiversity effects, which works in a similar way to calculating a climate footprint. Isabell Schäfer reported on how Seeberger GmbH integrates biodiversity into the supply chain, raises awareness among suppliers and evaluates them. The aim is to firmly anchor biodiversity in supplier management. The challenges here are the diversity of products, suppliers and procurement regions as well as the price sensitivity of consumers.
Focus group discussion with consumers: Need for information on biodiversity when buying food (only german)
19. April 2023
Based on the results of the representative consumer survey of June 2022, a focus group discussion was conducted in February 2023 in order to deepen the need for information on biodiversity in food purchasing. In the online discussion round, it was discussed which information is important to consumers, how detailed they want to be informed, whether differences are made between different product groups, how consumers want to be informed about measures to protect biodiversity and when information is perceived as reliable. The explorative study serves as a basis for a further planned representative survey on the willingness to pay for biodiversity-friendly food.
Biodiversity and Food Production - Consumer Awareness, Attitudes and Willingness to Act (only german)
27. October 2022
In order to determine the attitudes of consumers towards biodiversity and their behavioral intentions when buying food, the Center for Technology and Society (ZTG) of the Technical University of Berlin conducted an online survey with 1,028 people between 18 and 75 years of age in June 2022. The main topics of the survey are knowledge about biodiversity, awareness of the impact of food production on biodiversity, and related attitudes and prioritizations of the respondents, e.g. according to benefit considerations. Furthermore, the willingness to act for the conservation of biodiversity (e.g. by buying biodiversity-friendly products) and the expectations of consumers regarding biodiversity conservation towards food producers were surveyed.
Biodiversity in Life Cycle Assessment, Factsheet for corporations
7. October 2022
Impact Assessment of Land Using Processes on Biodiversity This factsheet gives a brief insight into the underlying methodology - in the BioVal project - for assessing biodiversity impacts, which was created for the target group of companies.
BioVal living lab Seeberger: Vision on the social effects (only german)
7. October 2022
The company Seeberger GmbH has been part of the research project BioVal - Biodiversity Valuing & Valuation since 2021. The BioVal project aims to develop a scientific method on the biodiversity impacts of food production and to support companies in anchoring the protection and promotion of biodiversity in their management. Seeberger was already working with a questionnaire prior to the BioVal project, with which they evaluated the sustainability performance of their suppliers. In the course of the project, this questionnaire will be revised so that the protection and promotion of biodiversity can be recorded in a differentiated manner. In addition, Seeberger is conducting a risk analysis to better address the ecological risks of the various suppliers. As part of the formative evaluation of BioVal, the scientific team discussed with Seeberger at the beginning of the project which output and social effects should be achieved with the transdisciplinary cooperation in the BioVal project.
BioVal living lab Ritter Sport: Vision on the social effects (only german)
4. August 2022
Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG has joined the BioVal research project as a practice partner in 2021 and is pursuing the goal of finding out what demands the company should make on its raw material procurement in order to be able to contribute to the preservation and promotion of biodiversity in the supply chain. Specifically, the impact of individual raw materials on biodiversity is to be mapped in order to integrate this information into the procurement process. The initial focus is on the raw materials cocoa, milk and palm oil. As part of the formative evaluation of BioVal, the scientific team together with Ritter Sport discussed at the beginning of the project what output and social effects should be achieved with the transdisciplinary collaboration in the BioVal project
Consideration of biodiversity in companies of the German food industry (only geman)
5. March 2022
The white paper "Consideration of biodiversity in companies of the German food industry" has examined the status quo of biodiversity management in companies of the German food industry: Is biodiversity considered in the management of companies? Which measures are implemented? How is the effectiveness measured? What are the opportunities and challenges? Which stakeholder groups are involved in the alignment of biodiversity measures? The authors Lynn Alber from fjol GmbH, Verena Timmer and Julius Wenzig from the ZNU - Center for Sustainable Corporate Management at the University of Witten/Herdecke show that the protection of biodiversity is generally considered relevant in the German food industry. This is because food systems are highly dependent on functioning ecosystems. Nevertheless, biodiversity has not yet been prioritized, especially in operational processes, and has not been implemented via already established procurement instruments.
