If the full range of risks and opportunities to which organisations are exposed are to be managed effectively, both the financial and extra-financial resources on which organisations are dependent need to be addressed. This can be achieved using an integrated thinking logic which recognises the need to generate financial returns while taking social and environmental factors into account.
Research led by Professor Warren Maroun from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa investigated the application of integrated thinking to biodiversity management and reporting by (1) drawing on insights from a panel of experts and (2) reviewing how a sample of South African and UK companies are currently addressing biodiversity as part of their external reporting to key stakeholders.
This report demonstrates how integrated thinking can be used to synthesise different sources of biodiversity information to construct a coherent account of environmental risks and performances. It highlights how integrated thinking is taking hold but finds there is still a need for urgent improvements to existing management and governance practices.
It also proposes a schematic with a range of biodiversity indicators and considerations including.
The case for biodiversity.
Biodiversity in context.
Risk.
Performance evaluation.
Internal monitoring and review.
Engagement.
Accounting infrastructure.