Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth. It’s not just a conservation issue but also represents the foundation upon which global economies and supply chains depend. According to the Institute of Sustainability Studies, the value of ecosystem services is estimated at €2.6 trillion annually, supporting industries from agriculture and construction to pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. Yet, biodiversity loss continues to accelerate mainly due to human activities putting pressure on these natural systems. This biodiversity loss crisis poses high risks to ecosystem resilience, economic stability and supply chain continuity. The implications of this for the manufacturing sector are significant, with the loss of ecosystem services such as pollination, soil fertility and water purification threatening the availability and reliability of raw materials. While many organisations are making strides in reducing carbon emissions, few are yet taking decisive steps to address biodiversity through supply chain action. This could be an opportunity for forward-thinking manufacturing companies.
| 1. Why Biodiversity Matters for Manufacturing and Operations | |
|
3. Case Study: Bespak's Journey Towards Nature-Positive Supply Chain Action |
|
Why Biodiversity Matters for Manufacturing and Operations
Manufacturing depends on biodiversity in direct and indirect ways. Raw materials are extracted for components, water is used during production and the operation process could impact the environment. When biodiversity declines, supply chains could become more volatile, costs rise and the risk of material shortages increases. This places manufacturers at the centre of both the problem and the solution. Addressing biodiversity through supply chain action is a necessity for long-term resilience, operational security and compliance with emerging sustainability frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Image Source: Global ecosystem services divided by regulating, cultural, supporting, and provisioning.
How Supply Chains Drive Biodiversity Loss
The vast majority of a manufacturer’s environmental impact lies beyond its direct control. Research shows that biodiversity impacts occur within supply chains, embedded in the upstream extraction, transport and processing of materials.
Primary biodiversity risks in manufacturing supply chains include:
- Land use change: Expansion of industrial agriculture and mining causes habitat destruction.
- Pollution: Industrial discharge and chemical use degrade ecosystems and freshwater systems.
- Overexploitation: Unsustainable extraction of metals, timber and other resources.
- Climate interactions: Biodiversity loss amplifies climate impacts, further disrupting natural balance.
We are at a turning point in which businesses cannot afford to continue to treat nature as an unrelated issue or separate from business activities, as the degradation of one could undermine the stability of the other. If a manufacturer fails to address biodiversity and natural systems that the business is reliant on within the supply chain, this could expose them to operational disruptions, rising input costs and reputational risk. When it comes to enhancing sustainability, companies must move beyond carbon-only assessments to adopt biodiversity footprinting tools that quantify how supply chain activities affect ecosystem health.
Learn More: Carbon Emissions and Biodiversity
Case Study: Bespak’s Journey Towards Nature-Positive Supply Chain Action
A powerful example of biodiversity through supply chain action comes from Bespak, a leading medical device manufacturer that partnered with Tunley Environmental to understand and mitigate its biodiversity impacts.
Image Source: Bespak's Supply Chain Biodiversity Footprint Assessment Results.
Approach
Using Tunley’s Supply Chain Biodiversity Footprint (SCBF) methodology, Bespak assessed biodiversity risks across its global value chain. The analysis included:
- Mapping of supply origins for critical materials.
- Spatial modelling to identify ecosystem pressures near supplier sites.
Quantification of biodiversity impacts using scientific footprinting indicators.
Findings
The assessment revealed several high-impact hotspots where raw material extraction and production intersected with vulnerable habitats. This insight equipped Bespak with the knowledge to prioritise supplier engagement, focus on restorative projects and align its operations with Nature Positive 2030 targets.
Outcomes
By integrating biodiversity metrics into procurement and supplier evaluation, Bespak strengthened its corporate nature strategy and established a foundation for long-term ecological accountability. The project illustrates how data-driven assessments can contribute to improving biodiversity through supply chain action.
Download the report here: Implementation of Biodiversity Footprinting - Examining Supply Chains
Improving Biodiversity Through Supply Chain Action
To ensure measurable change in biodiversity impact through supply chain action, manufacturers must embed these insights into corporate governance, procurement and product design.
A Five-Step Framework for Action
Conduct a Supply Chain Biodiversity Footprint (SCBF) Assessment
Quantify where and how biodiversity loss occurs across your value chain. Tunley’s SCBF method combines lifecycle data, spatial modelling and ecological risk analysis to provide clarity.
Integrate Findings into Corporate Nature Strategy
Align biodiversity insights with ESG goals, ensuring consistency with TNFD, CSRD and Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) frameworks.
Engage Suppliers and Drive Collaboration
Biodiversity is a shared responsibility. Establish supplier codes of conduct, incentivise sustainable sourcing and co-develop biodiversity enhancement projects.
Set Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Targets
Move from mitigation to regeneration by adopting measurable biodiversity restoration goals aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 15.
Embed Biodiversity Criteria in Procurement and R&D
Incorporate biodiversity performance into supplier selection and product innovation to ensure sustainability from design to delivery.
Creating a nature-positive supply chain means going beyond compliance to regeneration. Manufacturers must work with suppliers, partners and scientists to restore ecosystems affected by their operations.
Tunley Environmental Nature Positive Pathways
Tunley Environmental’s Nature Positive Pathways service provides organisations with a structured approach to understanding, measuring and restoring their relationship with nature. At its core lies the Supply Chain Biodiversity Footprint (SCBF) assessment, a scientific methodology that quantifies how business operations and supply networks affect biodiversity.
Key Features
- Establishes a baseline biodiversity footprint through SCBF analysis, identifying high-impact materials, suppliers and regions.
- Integrates spatial impact mapping and ecosystem modelling to pinpoint biodiversity risks and opportunities for restoration.
- Aligns corporate reporting with CSRD, TNFD, and SBTN frameworks.
- Translates complex data into actionable biodiversity targets and supplier engagement strategies.
Through the Nature Positive Pathways service, Tunley helps manufacturers move beyond disclosure, enabling measurable biodiversity improvement and long-term ecosystem recovery.
Learn More: Biodiversity Consultants
The Bottom Line
Protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services is central to ensuring resilient manufacturing and stakeholders in this field have both the influence and the responsibility to lead the transition towards a nature-positive economy. When manufacturers prioritise improving biodiversity through supply chain action, this gives them an avenue to build economic resilience and ensure genuine environmental impact. Speak to our biodiversity scientists to learn how Tunley Environmental can help your organisation lead on biodiversity through supply chain here.