Billions in biodiversity damage calls for radical action

The report shows the crucial importance of mitigating biodiversity damage, also in economic terms. It highlights the harm caused by sectors in their trade with 140 countries and the usage of 42 types of crops.

A large proportion of the damage is done at client or supplier level and 70% via trading partners outside the country. Examples include cocoa imports underpinned by poor land use or beef imports linked to water pollution.

Although the agricultural and food industries account for nearly a quarter of the damage, IT usage by banks and commercial service providers also causes damage to the environment because of high energy consumption at data centres and the use of rare metals in hardware.

The researchers recommend making damage mitigation an integral part of the running of any business, for instance by appointing an ecologist or biologist at leadership level, who is able to influence strategic choices.

In fact, economic growth should not be the main focus, but rather broader welfare indicators to inform policies, putting in place income equality, biodiversity and health as measures for success.

Read the full report here (in Dutch only).