Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms within an ecosystem, including plants, animals and microorganisms, and its preservation is increasingly embedded in sustainability standards that govern agricultural supply chains.
In trade practice
Buyers sourcing under schemes such as GLOBALG.A.P. or Rainforest Alliance may require suppliers to demonstrate biodiversity management plans covering buffer zones, pollinator habitats and soil health. Auditors review farm records, pesticide logs and land-use maps to verify compliance. Suppliers exporting grains, pulses or fruit to EU buyers should check whether retailer codes of conduct include biodiversity KPIs, as failure to document practices can delay supplier approval.
In a specification
A procurement specification may reference a named sustainability standard and require the supplier to hold a valid certificate confirming biodiversity management requirements are met.