Dr Tara Garraty, from Tunley Environmental, and Benedicta Bakpa, from Bespak, have written a white paper on biodiversity footprinting and its implementation within supply chains. Read the abstract and download the white paper below.
Biodiversity is foundational to human health, economic stability, and industrial resilience, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, which is intrinsically reliant on natural ecosystems. Over 60% of pharmaceuticals originate from biological sources, including plants, microbes, and marine organisms [1], yet the industry’s operations often contribute to biodiversity loss through land degradation, overharvesting, pollution, and habitat destruction [2] [3]. As global environmental risks escalate and regulatory frameworks such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) introduce new compliance obligations, businesses must evolve from climate-only metrics to holistic environmental governance [4].
This white paper introduces Supply Chain Biodiversity Footprinting (SCBF), a science-based, spatially explicit method rooted in Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), to quantify, disclose, and mitigate nature related risks across supply chains. Drawing on real-world examples, including a case study from Bespak, it demonstrates how SCBF can inform strategic decisions, support regulatory compliance, and advance nature-positive goals. SCBF aligns with frameworks such as Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN,) Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 101, Nature Positive Initiatives, and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Therefore, it empowers businesses to lead in biodiversity accountability, supply chain resilience, and long-term innovation.