peter.brotherton@english-nature.org.uk

Measuring biodiversity performance Context – why set and monitor targets? What makes a good target? Types of targets for business Where can we get data for setting targets? Reporting on targets Some levers – why should we do it?

What makes a good target? Specific - targets should include quantified objectives Measurable - it must be possible to monitor and report progress towards the target Achievable - make reasonable assumptions about the availability of resources, space, etc. Relevant - targets should, wherever possible, represent biodiversity gain Time-bound - incorporate an end-date or a series of time-limited milestones.

Types of targets for business Landholdings – improve the status of sites; increase biodiversity interest Supply chain - sourcing products properly; ensuring biodiversity is taken into account by suppliers. Awareness and engagement of employees

Examples of targets (1) Encourage favourable management of company land Create new watervole habitat Increase our knowledge of the importance of bracken and scrub for wildlife Increase public awareness and appreciation of great crested newts

Examples of targets (2) Create 2 Ha of upland heathland at Fontburn reservoir by 2005 Achieve favourable condition on 80% of company owned SSSIs by 2008 20% of citizens in Peterborough recognise the word “biodiversity” by 2006 100 employees per year engaged in biodiversity projects by 2007

SMART - Easier said than done Information is often lacking (especially for land-holdings) What have we got? Where is it? How much is there? What should our target be (what priorities, how much do we “want”)? Timescale for biodiversity gain is often too long for corporate reporting purposes

Finding information National web-based resources National habitat inventories (e.g. nature-on the map) National Biodiversity Network (species) Biodiversity-focussed websites for business

Finding information Specific advice Local biodiversity partnerships (for advice on priorities – where possible agree shared priorities) Local record centres (advice on what you may have) Designated sites – English Nature can (will!) advise Don’t wait until you know everything – set targets for gain early on

Time-scale too long Achieving biodiversity improvements often takes time – but corporate reporting operates over shorter timescales. Set SMART targets, based on biodiversity outcomes wherever appropriate Underpin these with actions (responses) - identify the key things you have to do to get to the targets Report on these actions and (when possible) targets, and gain credit for them

Planning and reporting cycle Priorities Review Targets Plan Actions Monitor Implementation

Why monitor and report? To allow continued assessment of the success of the action we are taking for wildlife To provide us with an opportunity for reflection and internal assessment, re-setting priorities if necessary To obtain hard evidence of what we are achieving (important for obtaining corporate buy-in and funding)

UK BAP and Country Strategies UK BAP (1994) (includes “59 steps”) UK: 45 habitat action plans, 391 species action plans Local: > 150 local biodiversity action plans Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy (2002) England Biodiversity Strategy (2003) Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (2004) Welsh Environment Strategy (in consultation) Company BAPs

Why monitor and report together? To assess overall progress towards halting the loss of biodiversity (e.g. 2010 international targets) To monitor overall progress (>1000 organisations are involved in BAP!) To identify where there are over-arching problems (structural, financial or political) To learn from each other’s experience (both good and bad) To recognize and celebrate the contribution of all involved

peter.brotherton@english-nature.org.uk