News from the project Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt (UBi)
21.03.2024
Whether in a vase, as room decoration, or in the garden, Germans love flowers, and according to the Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), the overall market was valued at 8.6 billion euros in 2023. The industry is smaller and more manageable than, for example, the food industry and could therefore serve as a model for transparent supply chains and high sustainability standards throughout the entire value chain - from seed to potted plant in the living rooms of customers.
To strengthen biodiversity in the flower industry, the project Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt (UBi) offers knowledge and recommendations from experts in dialogue formats. In 2023, the Lake Constance Foundation and the Global Nature Fund initiated dialogue with stakeholders from the horticultural industry in Germany and internationally. Most recently, UBi reviewed the biodiversity-related criteria of the industry's leading standards (both for cut flowers and potted plants) and invited stakeholders to a roundtable discussion in early February 2024.
Biodiversity criteria of leading sustainability standards
The second round table of the UBi project took place on February 1, 2024, bringing together standard setters, producers, and representatives from construction and garden centers to discuss recommendations for biodiversity protection. The basis of the discussion was an analysis of the biodiversity criteria of leading industry standards (e.g., MPS, Fairtrade, GlobalG.A.P. IFA, EU Bio), conducted by the Bodensee Foundation and the Global Nature Fund. Orientation towards the avoidance hierarchy and the inclusion of biodiversity training for businesses and auditors were presented as fundamentals, for example.
Biodiversity action plans for horticulture
A central aspect of the dialogue was the integration of biodiversity action plans into industry standards. Although some standards already include such plans, they are often voluntary, and there is a lack of clear guidance, practical examples, and recommendations for implementation. It is also important to consider the regional differences at (global) production sites - important production countries include, among others, the Netherlands, Kenya, Colombia, or Malaysia. Financing biodiversity measures remains a challenge, although they can help companies secure their production against climate change.
Another topic of the round table was biodiversity monitoring. There was consensus that monitoring must be easily implementable. The recording of operating areas and natural areas is still difficult; some standards are also experimenting with geodata and filters or life cycle assessments.
Conclusion on the second round table
Participants agreed that biodiversity measures help producers secure ecosystem services such as fertile soil or water and thus better secure their production against climate change. Through practical examples and collaboration along the supply chain, the sector can advance biodiversity protection. Challenges for the flower and ornamental plant industry.
At our third round table on February 28, 2024, we set a focus on topics such as resource overuse, invasive species, biodiversity, and environmental pollution. We will report on findings and experiences at
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