Base ~ How to do business in the 21st century ~ 16-17 March 2010
ProLogis
Assessing the risks to business of supply chain biodiversity impacts
Session time slot
  • Session WE2 | Wednesday 17 March | 10:40-11:25
Synopsis
Despite industry being increasingly aware of the threats to material supply as a result of natural resource loss, to date its mainstream economic players have not systematically acknowledged the commercial importance of biodiversity. Indeed, coupled with a general lack of easily available information, particularly on commercially related biodiversity issues, businesses often struggle to understand what biodiversity is. As a consequence there is a lack of business clarity and imperative concerning the business risks and opportunities associated with biodiversity management. As a result many companies have not developed or implemented strategies and action plans with respect to their supply chains for its protection, in terms of quantifying individual and cumulative impacts, or sustainable use.

This roundtable will discuss the potential risks and opportunities to business from cumulative impacts on natural ecosystems and biodiversity throughout a product supply chain. Also considered is the growing impetus for change in the developing field of biodiversity and business and the drivers and constraints that are affecting the consideration and management of biodiversity with respect to supply chains. The outcome will be an introduction to an initiative, funded by Government through the Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP), and currently being developed by Cranfield University and Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. The initiative outlines a method for assessing, quantifying, and managing the cumulative biodiversity impacts of company product supply chains.
Themes
  • Climate change
  • Supply chain
  • Sustainable business
Mr Derek Whatling
Supply Chain Biodiversity Project Manager
Cranfield University/Middlemarch Environmental Ltd
Biography
Currently working at Cranfield University School of Management and Middlemarch Environmental Ltd as a KTP Associate. The aim is to work with industry in developing a model to assess the risks and opportunities concerning biodiversity impacts in the supply chain.
I have worked for over 12 years in the environmental industry. I have just completed my PhD in assessing biodiversity supply chain impacts. I am a Chartered Biologist and a Fellow of the Society of Biology.
Company activities
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Company size
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Job functions
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