The Role of Procurement in Combating Climate Change and Protecting Biodiversity

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Biodiversity is a technical term for all “life on earth” and its diversity (plants, animals, ecosystems etc).

Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat. It’s all interconnected and disappearing at an alarming rate!

Biodiversity loss is the decline in the variety of that life on earth. 1000’s of species and ecosystems are being destroyed by humans. We are over fishing for food, deforesting for logs and building materials, and over picking plants and vegetables for medicines.

We are experiencing a dangerous decline in nature and humans are causing it:

  • We are using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life and ecosystems cannot keep up with our demands.
  • One million of the world’s estimated 8 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction.
  • 75% of the Earth’s land surface has been significantly altered by human actions, including 85 percent of wetland areas.
  • 66% of ocean area is impacted by human activities, including from fisheries and pollution.
  • Close to 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited or depleted.
  • Our global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss with agriculture alone being the identified threat.
  • Agricultural expansion is said to account for 70% of the projected loss of terrestrial biodiversity

Biodiversity provides important ecosystem services, such as the pollination of crops, the purification of air and water, and the regulation of the climate, amongst many other things.  Therefore, the loss of biodiversity can have negative impacts on human health, food security/availability, and the overall well-being of societies.

The five main drivers of biodiversity loss today are:

  • habitat destruction
  • climate change
  • over-exploitation of species
  • pollution
  • and the introduction of invasive species (those that take over and destroy existing ecosystems)

These factors are causing a rapid decline in the variety of plants, animals, and other organisms on Earth, which is having serious consequences for ecosystems and the services they provide to humanity.  Habitat destruction, for example, occurs when natural habitats are converted for human use, such as for agriculture, urbanisation, or resource extraction.

Climate change, on the other hand, is the result of increased levels of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, which are causing the planet to warm.  These two issues are closely connected, as climate change can exacerbate biodiversity loss by altering habitats and making it more difficult for species to adapt.  The loss of biodiversity can also make it more difficult for ecosystems to cope with the effects of climate change.  It is therefore essential that we take action to address both of these issues in order to protect the future of our planet.

Over-exploitation of species, such as through over-fishing and hunting, can lead to their populations declining to the point of extinction.  Pollution can also have detrimental effects on biodiversity, by contaminating air, water, and soil, and affecting the health of plants and animals.

Finally, the introduction of invasive species, which are non-native species that spread and cause harm to native species and ecosystems, is also a major driver of biodiversity loss.

Therefore, biodiversity loss and climate change are two of the most pressing environmental challenges facing our planet today.  .

The impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change are far-reaching and profound..  For example, the loss of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, can impact the ability of plants to reproduce and can lead to declines in the production of crops.

As COP15 draws to a close this week, we look at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity which is a global treaty that aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.  This year, COP15 discuss developing a framework to reduce pesticides and plastic, human / wildlife contact and soil.

The key targets of COP15 this year are;

  • Protecting Earth – More then 100 countries are currently supporting a proposal to conserve 30% of land and ocean by 2030. The UK, France, Canada and Costa Rica are backing this and is framed as the “biodiversity 1.5c target”.  However, this is facing a significant pushback from some Indigenous communities who claim this could justify land grabs as well as human right violations.
  • Pesticides – Across the world, insect populations are falling. Heavy use of pesticides that are designed to kill insect life but are essential to healthy ecosystems everywhere.  During COP15, countries are discussing how to reduce pesticide use by two-thirds.  The European Union has said it will aim to reduce pesticides by 50% by 2030.
  • Extinctions – 1 million species are facing extinction from human behaviour however some countries refuse to acknowledge this.
  • Government subsidies – Every year $1.8tn on subsidies driving the annihilation of wildlife and a rise in global heating. Governments are spending fortunes on environmentally harmful policies.  These funds can occasionally be spent for the good of preventing poverty, but many countries want to include a target to reduce or repurpose at least $500bn a year by 2025.
  • Plastic pollution – In March, a legally binding treaty on plastic waste was agreed to by world leaders.  Any targets agreed at COP15 will be centred around the ongoing treaty.
  • Invasive Species – Japanese knotweed as an example of an invasive species is a plant that has been spread by humans and have caused havoc. During COP15, leaders will draft a target that proposes greater efforts to eliminate invasive species and reduce the spread by half.
  • Nature Restoration – It is expected that world leaders will agree to expanding protected areas and restore at least 1bn hectares of degraded terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems.

How can Procurement help?

Procurement teams can mitigate and prevent biodiversity loss by procuring goods, works and services that are sustainably sourced and produced.  This means choosing suppliers that use environmentally friendly production methods and materials that aren’t harmful to the environment or biodiversity.

Procurement can take a lead on creating awareness and driving action through their contracts under supplier commitments. This can include protecting and restoring habitats, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting the development of renewable energy sources.  By working together, we can help to protect the planet and its inhabitants for future generations.

They can also work with suppliers to develop more sustainable products and services

Procurement must procure products that help reduce waste by purchasing products with minimal packaging and choosing suppliers that have a strong recycling and waste reduction policy.  This can help reduce the demand for resources and prevent habitation destruction.

The UK Government spends £300 million a year through their procurement function and the procurement bill makes no references to climate or environmental factors.  This is why we’re asking our community to sign a UK Government & Parliament petition to amend the procurement bill to enshrine positive environmental obligations – https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/621955