Environmental guidance for your business in Northern Ireland & Scotland
Biodiversity - the variety of living organisms - is declining, mainly due to human activity. Clearing vegetation for example, can result in the loss, degradation or break up of habitats, which impacts on the species that live in those habitats.
Your business's impact on biodiversity can be positive as well as negative. How you manage your business will determine the scale of that impact both in your local area and further afield.
If your business consistently operates in environmentally responsible ways, you will attract ethical consumers and investors.
Many people now consider the environmental performance of businesses and their impact on biodiversity when buying their products, services or making investments. You are more likely to attract customers if you can show that your business methods protect and enhance biodiversity and the natural environment.
If you apply for planning permission you may need to get an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for your proposed development. EIAs consider the social, environmental and economic impacts of the development, including any effect on biodiversity or designated conservation areas.
NIEA: NI Consultation update to Environmental Impact Assessment
Scottish Government: EIAs and planning
Your planning application may also need public consultation. A good record of environmental management will help you to approach the public with confidence during the consultation.
British Standard 42020 aims to integrate biodiversity into all stages of the planning and development process. It is of relevance to professionals working in the fields of ecology, land use planning, land management, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture, forestry, arboriculture, surveying, building and construction.
BSI: BS 42020 Biodiversity. Code of practice for planning and development.
If you apply to the NIEA or SEPA for a permit, licence or other authorisation for any aspect of your business' activities, they will consider your impact on the natural environment and biodiversity. This could be in the immediate area of your intended activity, or further afield, depending on the nature of your application.
If your proposed activity could affect a designated conservation area, your application may take longer. The NIEA or SEPA will consult with the relevant conservation body if your application affects:
See the page in this guideline: Protected sites and priority habitats.
You must apply to the NIEA In Northern Ireland, or NatureScot in Scotland, for a wildlife licence if you carry out an activity that is prohibited by wildlife legislation. This includes if you kill or take certain protected species, disturb or damage the habitat of protected species or carry out certain surveys or conservation work.
Northern Ireland:
Planning NI: Local Council offices
Scotland:
Scottish Government: Local planning authority contact details
How conservation and biodiversity relate to your business
How businesses rely on natural resources and services
Protected sites and priority habitats
Protected and priority species
Environmental damage to biodiversity
Managing biodiversity: Establish the baseline
Managing biodiversity: Create a site action plan
Managing biodiversity: Measure performance
Groundwater in Northern Ireland, DAERA have produced a leaflet to raise awareness about this untapped resource
EU Exit, EU Exit useful information
View our latest videos & subscribe to our channel.
Free monthly email newsletter with environmental updates for Northern Ireland and Scotland