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Corporate Biodiversity Management through Certifiable Standards

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  • Olivier Boiral
  • Iñaki Heras‐Saizarbitoria
  • Marie‐Christine Brotherton

Abstract

This article analyzes the motivations, internalization challenges and outcomes of implementing certifiable standards for corporate biodiversity management. For this purpose, a qualitative study based on interviews with 39 environmental managers, auditors, consultants and other experts in the field was conducted. The findings show that the adoption of new standards for biodiversity management is essentially driven by the need to improve the social acceptability of activities that can have a significant impact on natural habitats. The possible benefits of certification, particularly in terms of stakeholder relationships, and the difficulty of measuring the intangible aspects of biodiversity issues are also discussed. The study contributes to the emerging literature on organizational biodiversity management and to the debates on the symbolic versus substantial adoption of certifiable environmental standards. Managerial implications for organizations interested in biodiversity management are also discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier Boiral & Iñaki Heras‐Saizarbitoria & Marie‐Christine Brotherton, 2018. "Corporate Biodiversity Management through Certifiable Standards," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 389-402, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:27:y:2018:i:3:p:389-402
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2005
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    5. Izabela Delabre & Joss Lyons‐White & Clara Melot & Eirik Ingwardo Veggeberg & Anthony Alexander & Martin C. Schleper & Robert M. Ewers & Andrew T. Knight, 2023. "Should I stay or should I go? Understanding stakeholder dis/engagement for deforestation‐free palm oil," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5128-5145, December.
    6. Gyan Charitha de Silva & Eugenie Christine Regan & Edward Henry Beattie Pollard & Prue Frances Elizabeth Addison, 2019. "The evolution of corporate no net loss and net positive impact biodiversity commitments: Understanding appetite and addressing challenges," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1481-1495, November.
    7. Pei‐Chi Kelly Hsiao & Charl de Villiers & Claire Horner & Hein Oosthuizen, 2022. "A review and synthesis of contemporary sustainability accounting research and the development of a research agenda," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(4), pages 4453-4483, December.
    8. Erlantz Allur & Iñaki Heras-Saizarbitoria & Olivier Boiral & Francesco Testa, 2018. "Quality and Environmental Management Linkage: A Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    9. Olivier Boiral & Iñaki Heras‐Saizarbitoria & Marie‐Christine Brotherton, 2019. "Improving corporate biodiversity management through employee involvement," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 688-698, July.
    10. Prue F.E. Addison & P. J. Stephenson & Joseph W. Bull & Giulia Carbone & Mark Burgman & Michael J. Burgass & Leah R. Gerber & Pippa Howard & Nadine McCormick & Louise McRae & Kim E. Reuter & Malcolm S, 2020. "Bringing sustainability to life: A framework to guide biodiversity indicator development for business performance management," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3303-3313, December.
    11. Samuel Jack Anthony & Angus Morrison‐Saunders, 2023. "Analysing corporate forest disclosure: How does business value biodiversity?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 624-638, January.

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