Business & Biodiversity Charter

Business in the Community’s Business and Biodiversity Charter is a framework for businesses to engage with biodiversity.

The Charter is based around a staged approach, and is applicable to all organisations from micro-businesses to large facilities owned by multi-national companies. In order to successfully determine an organisation’s level of achievement within the Charter, participants will need to demonstrate how they meet each level – Foundation, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

The aims of the Biodiversity Charter are to:

Provide a framework for organisations of all sizes to address their impact on biodiversity, not only in terms of land-holding management but also in relation to their activities, products and services
Provide a mechanism for third-party recognition of organisations’ biodiversity management
Give employees the capacity to undertake biodiversity-related actions at home, and in their communities outside work
Enable employees to gain the health and wellbeing benefits associated with green space/biodiversity activities
Foster links between environmental organisations, business and the community

The Charter helps businesses implement biodiversity initiatives, and provides third party recognition of achievement.

The Charter is awarded at four levels according to the progress of participating companies: Foundation, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each level has a range of requirements (both compulsory and optional depending on the level).

Implementation

On agreement to participate in the Charter, BITC will provide the participating company with all relevant documentation and will arrange to meet with the appropriate representative to introduce the Charter materials and to provide initial guidance.

Participating companies have the choice to receive a site-survey and associated report, conducted by a qualified ecologist. The report will provide a baseline understanding of the selected site’s ecological value, and will also contain recommendations that will help the organisation achieve certain units within the Charter.

Assessment

Following the implementation period, the participating company should prepare an application.

BITC will then agree a suitable date for assessment. Following successful assessment, the company will be presented with a certificate recognising the level of award.

Foundation awards will be valid for one year, whilst Bronze – Platinum awards will be valid for 36 months. Re-assessment will be required following expiry in order to maintain Charter status. Re-assessment can be requested prior to an awards expiration should a company wish to attain a higher level of achievement in a shorter timeframe.