Introduction
Performance Standard 6, guided by the Convention on Biological Diversity, emphasises protecting biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem services, and sustainably managing living natural resources as essential components of sustainable development. Biodiversity encompasses the variability within species, between species, and ecosystems. Ecosystem services, vital to human and business well-being, include provisioning (e.g., food, water), regulating (e.g., climate control), cultural (e.g., recreational areas), and supporting (e.g., nutrient cycling) services.
Objectives
The standard aims to:
- Protect and conserve biodiversity.
- Maintain benefits from ecosystem services.
- Promote sustainable natural resource management by integrating conservation and development priorities.
Scope of application
The standard applies to projects involving modified, natural, or critical habitats and those impacting or depending on ecosystem services or natural resources like agriculture and fisheries. Requirements are managed via the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).
Requirements
General
The risk and impact identification process evaluates direct and indirect impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, focusing on threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and overexploitation. Projects should prioritise avoiding impacts. Where avoidance is unfeasible, minimisation, restoration, and adaptive management measures are essential.
Protection and conservation of biodiversity
Habitats are classified as modified, natural, or critical:
- Modified habitats: Include significant biodiversity areas modified by human activity. Mitigation measures should reduce biodiversity impacts.
- Natural habitats: Avoid significant conversion unless no viable alternatives exist, stakeholders agree, and mitigation follows a no-net-loss approach.
- Critical habitats: These require net gains in biodiversity through robust monitoring and a Biodiversity Action Plan. Project activities should not reduce global or regional populations of endangered species.
Legally protected and internationally recognised areas
Projects in these areas must comply with legal requirements, align with management plans, engage stakeholders, and enhance conservation efforts.
Invasive alien species
Clients must avoid introducing alien species with invasive potential and implement measures to prevent accidental introductions.
Management of ecosystem services
Projects impacting ecosystem services must identify and prioritise those affecting or depending on project operations. Mitigation should focus on maintaining value and functionality, and efficiency measures should be implemented.
Sustainable management of living natural resources
Projects involving primary resource production (e.g., agriculture, forestry) must apply good management practices and seek certification under recognised sustainability standards. In the absence of such standards, clients should adhere to international best practices and support local standards development.
Supply chain
Clients sourcing resources in regions with habitat conversion risks must establish verification systems to evaluate suppliers and limit procurement to those not contributing to significant habitat conversion.
Recommendations
Clients should:
- Incorporate biodiversity considerations into project planning and operations.
- Engage competent professionals and external experts for risk identification and mitigation.
- Align with recognised standards and pursue certification for sustainability practices.
- Strengthen supply chain oversight to ensure suppliers meet conservation criteria.