This guidance relates to the procurement of products, services, or works, that have potential negative impacts on biodiversity or where there are opportunities to enhance biodiversity. It is aimed at:
It provides relevant procurement guidance, aligned with the Procurement Journey, and includes example clauses in the Annex.
This guidance is part of a series of guides which support the sustainable procurement duty tools to help public sector organisations embed sustainability into their procurement processes. Separate guidance is available on the following topics, which should also be considered alongside biodiversity, where relevant:
Where relevant, Construction Policy Note (CPN) 1/2023 should also be considered. This note draws attention to the publication of a new chapter (chapter 18) within the Client Guide to Construction Projects which provides an overview of the client’s role in planning for sustainability in construction projects, particularly during the project initiation phase.
Users of this guidance are encouraged to complete sustainable procurement e-learning including the Climate Literacy module, available from the Sustainable Procurement Tools portal.
The Sustainability Test is a self-assessment tool designed to help buyers embed relevant and proportionate sustainability requirements consistently in the development of contracts and frameworks. The Sustainability Test includes the following question:
The 2020 EU report on Public Procurement of Nature-Based Solutions includes an NBS definition and a number of case studies which buyers may find helpful.
The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 sets out the policy driver for protecting and regenerating biodiversity:
‘We face twin reinforcing crises: a decline in biodiversity will exacerbate the climate crisis – and a changing climate will accelerate the rate of biodiversity loss. The role biodiversity plays in addressing and mitigating the impact of climate change is vital. Globally, when they are functioning well, ocean and land ecosystems remove around 50% of human-made carbon dioxide emissions each year. The more the world warms however, the more stress will be placed on ecosystems, triggering feedback loops that will accelerate warming and extreme weather events. Protecting and regenerating biodiversity is the best chance we have to mitigate and adapt to climate change.’
It explains what biodiversity is and why tackling the nature emergency in Scotland is important:
‘Biodiversity is the web of life. It is the variety of all living things and the ecosystems where they live (on land or in water). It comprises the living organisms in a particular space, whether in a window-box, garden, park, meadow, peatland, river, loch, estuary, ocean, beach or mountain top.
Biodiversity inspires people. It has enormous value in its own right but is also central to our survival as a species. Our economy, jobs, health and wellbeing depend on it, and it is an integral part of our culture and way of life. More than half of the world’s GDP (US$44 trillion) is thought to be dependent on nature in some way. Yet humanity has caused the loss of 83% of all wild mammals and half of all plants.
Biodiversity supports food production and security through insect pollination in farming and horticulture and our fishing industry, which depends on resilient and productive seas. It provides the blueprint for many modern medicines and contributes to our wellbeing, providing recreation, relaxation and a sense of place. Healthy biodiversity protects soil from eroding, purifies water and helps prevent and mitigate flooding.
The Environment Strategy for Scotland highlights that playing Scotland’s part in tackling the global nature emergency will also mean ensuring that the overseas environmental impacts of Scotland’s consumption and production are sustainable.
Some of the products and commodities we import into Scotland are associated with damaging impacts on biodiversity in the countries where they are produced, including deforestation and water stress. It is therefore essential to understand and minimise impacts on biodiversity along entire value chains.
There are various sources of information available on-line about the risks related to products and services. For example CSR Risk Check is an assessment tool that highlights risks for particular products and services, and its World Map shows known risks in each country. This includes environmental risks such as biodiversity and deforestation.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body established in 2012 by 94 Governments for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being, and sustainable development. IPBES identified five direct drivers of biodiversity loss: and two indirect drivers:
The two indirect drivers are peoples disconnect with nature, and the resulting lack of value placed on the importance of nature.
Biodiversity is likely to be relevant to a wide range of goods and services, beyond food and catering or infrastructure projects. For example, where market research indicates that any of the following circumstances may be present in the planned procurement (works, goods, or service):
Decisions regarding biodiversity protection measures will be needed in design, as well as the sourcing of materials and products.
The above examples are not in order of priority, is by no means an exhaustive list and should not be treated as such. Other factors may be relevant depending on the individual procurement.
In peatland restoration projects, there is a clear connection between procurement action and green jobs, as this NatureScot case study demonstrates. Procurement actions in projects not specifically related to biodiversity enhancement can also protect plant, animal, and human health. Well-designed and executed construction and infrastructure projects may include contract requirements relating to protection of local trees, avoiding run-off to local water courses, reduction in emissions affecting air quality, and many others.
See the Annex for examples.
