Environmental Day has been celebrated globally since 1974, uniting governments, businesses and citizens to reflect on their contributions and actions towards a healthy sustainable environment. In conjunction with the global risks anticipated by the Global Economic Forum for 2020, this year the focus for Environment Day fall on biodiversity.

David Suzuki once said, “if we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save us.”

Recent global events, such as the bushfires in Australia, the United States and Brazil, localised floods in several countries and the impact of the global COVID19 pandemic which is still affecting lives all over the world, are just some of the demonstrations of how interdependent humans and their surrounding lifeforms are for existence.

What is Biodiversity?

It is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms and all its interactions. If that sounds bewilderingly broad, that’s because it is. Biodiversity is the most complex feature of our planet and it is the most vital. “Without biodiversity, there is no future for humanity,” says Prof David Macdonald, at Oxford University. The word biodiversity gained popularity in 1985 as a shortening for biological diversity. The term biodiversity includes numerous lifeforms from genes, species, communities, populations and ecosystems.

How can my development contribute to the preservation and protection of biodiversity?

Some steps your company can take to ensure you keep the protection of the environment in mind:

1. Project Design

During the design phase of your development/project, investigate options which could be beneficial to your company and the environment. Making use of renewable energy sources, sustainable and recycled materials, using more natural lighting in buildings, optimal designing to reduce footprints, green corridors and water wise gardens are just some considerations.

2. Location

When investigating the location for your project, avoiding ecologically and biodiversity sensitive areas can reduce your process approval periods and lengthy investigations and extensive protection measures. Take into account zoning possibilities and environmental aspects as some activities can be prohibited in certain areas in accordance with town planning bylaws or environmental legislation. Conducting an investigation into the town planning and environmental aspects before purchasing/developing a property could save costs and reduce to possibility of having property you are not allowed to develop your project on.

3. Impact Assessment

Do not see conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment for your project as a “tick box” required to obtain Environmental Authorisation for your project. Rather see this as a risk assessment for your project/development to identify possible hazards beforehand which you can mitigate reducing the possibility of materially impacting your project. Mitigation and protection measures in your Environmental Management Plan can reduce your impact on the surrounding environment, while protecting your project against possible ruinous events which might interrupt/stop your business.

4. Waste Reduction

Adapting waste reduction strategies and practices could not only reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact, but also save you costs on waste disposal and storage space. Through implementation of small changes in your company such as reusable water bottles, rather than cups only used once, making use of digital documents rather than printed documents can notably reduce your waste generated. Recycling of waste at your company can generate funds when selling it to recycling companies. Reduction of waste generated also reduce the disposal cost and the area required to store waste before disposal which can reduce unpleasant odours and unsightly areas.

5. Environmental Conscious Employees

A working atmosphere where employees are environmentally conscious and action driven will assist your company in reaching your sustainability goals. When employees are invested and understand your goals everyone will be able to assist in reducing your environmental footprint. Environmental awareness education and training can help your employees develop waste reduction and sustainability behaviour which can benefit them at work and at home.

ACE Environmental Solutions can provide assistance in your project planning and investigations from the start of your development up to the end. Our qualified consultants can assist you with obtaining the required Town Planning and Environmental Approvals, developing your Environmental Management Plans, Waste Management and Water Use Licences and conducting your Environmental Impact Assessment.

To become involved in World Environment Day, there are several initiatives globally to have a look at:

https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/latest/schedule

In an interview with the BCC, Sir David Attenborough said “The only way to save a rhinoceros is to save the environment in which it lives because there’s a mutual dependency between it and millions of other species of both animals and plants. And it is that range of biodiversity that we must care for – the whole thing – rather than just one or two stars.” Lets all do our part to protect our diverse natural environment.