World endangered species day: Friday 17th MAY 2024

This has been a key date in the sustainability calendar since it was created and founded by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition back in 2006. It provides a platform for people to celebrate, learn about, and take action to protect Earth’s endangered species. On Friday, wildlife refuges, gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups, nonprofits, and individuals will hold special programs and events to raise awareness about one of our greatest challenges.

According to The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), at least 40% of animals, insects, and plants are at risk of extinction across the world. The biodiversity crisis is causing untold damage to natural capital fuelled by key drivers including climate change, land mismanagement and pollution.

Here in Britain, it is important to understand that this issue is universal, and we just need to look in our own back garden to see the consequences. The latest State of Nature Report highlights that one in six species in the UK are at risk of being lost including 54% of flowering plants, 43% of birds, 31% of amphibians and reptiles and 28% of fungi and lichen. We live in one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world, with less than half of our biodiversity remaining.

Endangered Species Day gives us all the opportunity to learn about why we need to protect endangered species from any further harm. For business, the day should be as a wake-up call. Every organisation relies on natural capital to function and has a vested interest in being nature positive. Why not take the chance to raise awareness across your business and think about how you can treat nature as a key stakeholder.

Here are some top tips to help you:

• Measure and report – Businesses should measure and mitigate their adverse impact on biodiversity. Those that fail to take this issue seriously could fall foul of regulation and will struggle to attract investors and customers. Seek support in mapping your biodiversity risks through your value chain and then set science-based reduction targets. Engage with your supply chain to do the same.
• Supporting nature-focused initiatives – Donate time, resources and money to support charities working to protect biodiversity. This could be anything from charities working to protect the Amazon rainforest to a small group of volunteers helping to clear waste from your local river. Many conservation charities have business membership schemes. Ensure you have staff engagement and that all stakeholders understand your drivers. You may be able to explore the use of Biodiversity Credits to mitigate your environmental impacts, and support projects that have a positive impact.
• Sponsor a Species Look at the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Consider sponsoring a species or habitat or supporting a Local Biodiversity Partnership. You can support them financially and commit to long-term sponsorship programmes or give staff time to volunteer on key projects.
• On your doorstep – Use your land to create new habitats, put aside space for wildlife gardens and encourage staff to get out and appreciate its biodiversity. Perhaps they could help build a bug hotel, create a pond, or install bird feeders and hedgehog boxes. If you don’t have access to outside space, consider developing a roof garden or making use of balconies.
• Create nature-friendly habitats on your premises – Even the smallest of gardens on commercial premises can have a beneficial effect for wildlife as well as having a positive social impact on staff health and wellbeing. (Watch out for Wylde’s forthcoming work on how you can do this).
• Reduce emissions – Measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect the natural environment. Embrace renewable energy and commit to an ambitious waste reduction programme. Think about how you can support the circular economy to keep valuable resources in the value chain. Live by the mantra reduce, reuse and recycle to minimise your environmental impact.
• Responsible sourcing – As far as possible, source recycled raw materials or those with environmental certification and have full visibility when it comes to your supply chain. As well as meeting your own ESG obligations, also make sure suppliers are compliant and are aligned with your commitment to supporting biodiversity.

Wylde Connections Managing Director, Denise Taylor, has more than three decades of experience working with international projects for wildlife conservation and protection. These projects are driven by education and working with communities. 

Denise is a board director of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network (IWCN) which proactively works to foster human/wildlife coexistence throughout the globe, supporting the conservation of a wide range of endangered species. IWCN provides expert interdisciplinary assistance, training, collaboration, and shared research to enable communities around the globe to coexist with nature. Its vision is to secure a future where communities worldwide live sustainably with their local wildlife.

Support the work of the IWCN by making a pledge at www.wildlifecoexistence.org. To learn more about the value of being nature positive, read our eBook on Biodiversity. 

Take this opportunity to play your part in supporting Earth’s precious species by talking to Wylde about how we can help you develop a robust sustainability strategy. We will support you in driving interventions that help protect the natural world whilst mitigating risks, building resilience and securing a competitive advantage. Book a discovery call today.