Product biodiversity footprint: theory and estimation methodology

Abstract

As human needs for natural resources are rapidly increasing, and the ability of the biosphere to recover and function normally is becoming less and less, there is a need for a better understanding of tools for empirically measuring the impact on the environment and biodiversity in particular , which can be used in different contexts (e.g. ecological, carbon, water or biodiversity footprint). The use of these and other tools can detect early warning signs and predict the consequences of environmental stress, thus slowing the critical transition of planetary boundaries. The aim of the article is to study the theoretical provisions and essence of the concept of “biodiversity footprint” and establish the key aspects of its calculation methodology. The definition of the term “biodiversity footprint” in national and foreign scientific literature is considered. Having analyzed previous studies, it is proposed to define the biodiversity footprint as the impact of a product, company, person or community on global biodiversity, measured in terms of changes in biological diversity as a result of the production and consumption of certain goods and services. The main approaches and instruments for calculating the biodiversity footprint have been identified and analyzed. It has been established that the calculation of the biodiversity footprint can be carried out on the basis of one of three approaches based on: a) consumption-based, b) production-based and c) trade-based, and at a different specific level management and: global, regional and local, as well as at the level of the organization, activity, individual supply chain, product or consumer. The article examines six main groups of biodiversity footprint calculation tools and identifies key differences between them. It is concluded that, in general, the calculation of the biodiversity footprint using the above tools is based on company or enterprise information (financial data and/or value chain data), taking into account geographic, ecosystem contexts or generalized (proxy) relationships and follows a three-step sequence. The conclusion is made about the feasibility of applying the biodiversity footprint as an indicator for different sectors and at different levels of management, different activities or supply chains, as well as for an individual product or consumer. It has been also established that the biodiversity footprint as an indicator can help business in justifying strategic approaches, management, and technological decisions in the context of ensuring proper environmental and social responsibility. It is concluded that the calculation of the footprint of biodiversity is an important tool for preserving ecosystems and natural landscapes, ensuring the sustainable use of resources as a result of making environmentally responsible decisions.

Keywords

• product footprint
• environmental impact
• biodiversity impacts
• sustainable production and consumption