Work with other organisations on biodiversity
Working with other organisations involved in biodiversity action planning will help you understand the main issues and priorities in your local area.
Local organisations
In Northern Ireland
A key method of delivering local action for biodiversity in Northern Ireland is through Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP). You can find information on LBAP priorities and projects on the Ulster Wildlife website.
Co-ordination within Northern Ireland is carried out by the Local Biodiversity Action team within the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You can find out more about Northern Ireland LBAPs on the NIEA website.
NIEA: Local biodiversity action plans
In Scotland
For information on biodiversity action plan (BAP) priorities and projects in your area, the Scottish Wildlife Trust is a good first port of call. You can find local biodiversity information on the Scottish Wildlife Trust website.
There are around 150 local biodiversity action plan groups across the UK. If your business has a single site, it will be easy for you to network with one of them.
NatureScot: Local Biodiversity Action Plans
National organisations
In Northern Ireland
The NIEA is the lead government organisation on conservation of the natural environment. The NIEA leads on environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of soil, air and water and has a duty to conserve and enhance the natural environment. You should consult with the NIEA if you intend to carry out development work that could affect protected or priority areas or species.
In Scotland
NatureScot is the lead government organisation on conservation of the natural environment. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) leads on environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of soil, air and water and has a duty to conserve and enhance the natural environment. You should consult with these organisations if you intend to carry out development work that could affect protected or priority areas or species.
UK-wide
Nature UK and Wild About The British Isles are two online community forums on wildlife, environment and conservation.
International organisations
If your supply chain is international or your business operates in several countries, international conservation groups can help you to develop appropriate environmental management systems for each country your business is involved in.
- Birdlife International: Business Partners
- Earthwatch International: Become a corporate partner
- Flora and Fauna International: Business and biodiversity
- Plantlife International: A global strategy
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Corporate partnerships
International partnership organisations address specific conservation problems associated with global business. These include:
- The Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program (BBOP), a partnership between companies, governments and conservation experts. Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program
- The Energy and Biodiversity Initiative (EBI), which integrates biodiversity conservation with oil and gas exploration, extraction, refinement and transportation.
Energy and Biodiversity Initiative - The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), a membership organisation of mining companies with good performance in sustainable development, reporting and assurance.
International Council on Mining and Metals - The International Finance Corporation (IFC), which invests in business models that are protective of nature and socially and economically beneficial.
International Finance Council: Biodiversity for the private sector