Introduction

As biodiversity loss accelerates, organizations must acknowledge their role and responsibility in protecting ecosystems. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of how businesses impact biodiversity and equips professionals with the tools to manage biodiversity risks and opportunities. By integrating biodiversity management into corporate strategies, organizations can enhance sustainability, meet regulatory requirements, and future-proof their operations.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in corporate sustainability.
2. Identify, assess, and mitigate biodiversity-related risks in business operations.
3. Develop and implement biodiversity action plans tailored to organizational needs.
4. Navigate and comply with international biodiversity frameworks and reporting standards.
5. Explore innovative solutions for biodiversity conservation, including nature-based solutions and technology-driven approaches.
6. Foster partnerships and collaborations to amplify biodiversity conservation efforts.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals
• Sustainability managers and officers
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals
• Environmental impact assessment consultants
• Supply chain managers
• Policy-makers and regulators
• Anyone interested in corporate sustainability and biodiversity management

Advanced 5-Day Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Biodiversity in the Corporate Context

• Session 1: The Role of Biodiversity in Sustainable Development

  • What is biodiversity, and why is it critical?
  • Links between biodiversity and ecosystem services

• Session 2: Business Impacts on Biodiversity

  • Sector-specific biodiversity risks and dependencies
  • Case studies of biodiversity loss and corporate responsibility

• Session 3: Global Biodiversity Frameworks

  • UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Day 2: Assessing Biodiversity Risks and Opportunities

• Session 1: Conducting Biodiversity Assessments

  • Key tools and methodologies (IBAT, ENCORE, and GIS mapping)
  • Identifying biodiversity hotspots and key species

• Session 2: Value Chain Analysis

  • Assessing biodiversity impacts along supply chains
  • Practical session: Biodiversity risk mapping

• Session 3: Biodiversity and Financial Risks

  • Understanding biodiversity-related financial disclosures (TNFD)
  • Incorporating biodiversity into ESG metrics

Day 3: Strategies for Biodiversity Management

• Session 1: Developing Biodiversity Action Plans

  • Setting SMART targets for biodiversity conservation
  • Stakeholder engagement in biodiversity initiatives

• Session 2: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)

  • Principles and applications of NbS in corporate settings
  • Practical session: Designing an NbS strategy

• Session 3: Biodiversity Offsetting and Restoration

  • Criteria for effective biodiversity offsets
  • Real-world examples of successful restoration projects

Day 4: Regulatory and Reporting Requirements

• Session 1: Navigating Biodiversity Regulations

  • Current and emerging biodiversity-related laws and policies
  • Ensuring compliance and avoiding legal liabilities

• Session 2: Reporting on Biodiversity

  • Integrating biodiversity into corporate sustainability reports
  • Frameworks: GRI, SASB, and TNFD biodiversity metrics

• Session 3: Biodiversity in Global Markets

  • Opportunities in biodiversity credit markets
  • Role of biodiversity in corporate reputation and branding

Day 5: Innovations and Future Directions in Biodiversity Management

• Session 1: Leveraging Technology for Biodiversity Monitoring

  • Remote sensing, AI, and big data analytics
  • Practical session: Using technology for real-time biodiversity tracking

• Session 2: Partnerships for Biodiversity Conservation

  • Collaborating with NGOs, governments, and local communities
  • Funding and resource mobilization for biodiversity projects

• Session 3: Capstone Project and Strategy Presentation

  • Group activity: Developing a biodiversity management strategy
  • Peer reviews and expert feedback

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Certification of completion
• Access to tools, templates, and resources for biodiversity management
• Networking opportunities with industry experts and peers