Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Biodiversity definition

What does Biodiversity mean? In legal practice, biodiversity describes the variety of living organisms—within and between species of plants, animals and microorganisms—and the ecosystems in which they live and interact. The term is descriptive and used across multiple legal contexts (planning, nature conservation, environmental assessment and permitting). While UK and Irish legislation seldom defines “biodiversity” exhaustively, the widely adopted Convention on Biological Diversity definition underpins policy and casework; statutes tend instead to regulate its conservation and enhancement. Key legal features include: - Public authority biodiversity duties (England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) requiring action to conserve and enhance biodiversity. - Application in planning and infrastructure...

Nature-related risks in ESG: corporate governance, disclosure (TNFD/ISSB/GRI), biodiversity net gain and nature markets—legal, regulatory and litigation developments across the value chain

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity describes the breadth of life on Earth. It ranges from bacteria to the 1.7 million recorded animal, plant and fungi species, includes the genetic differences within each of these species, and the variety created by their interactions that together shape complex ecosystems.

Why are biodiversity and nature rising up the corporate agenda?

The significance of biodiversity is being increasingly acknowledged by companies. This applies not only to those that mainly depend on natural resources, since every organisation relies on functioning ecosystem services. As awareness grows, businesses are recognising their dependencies and impacts on biodiversity across the entire value chain. There is mounting expectation for firms to accept responsibility and disclose their effects. ESG Reporting has been used largely in the financial sector to assess responsible investment. This reporting covers a range of criteria that can evaluate how businesses act regarding Sustainability and corporate responsibility. For more information, see Practice Note: The UN-supported PRI, PRB and PSI and the FSB’s TCFD [Archived]. The ‘environment’ aspects...

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Dr Stephanie Wray

Nature Positive

Stephanie Wray is an experienced Project Director and biodiversity expert with over 25 years’ experience in the assessment of impacts on biodiversity and the development of corporate sustainability strategies. Prior to joining RSK, Stephanie was Global Environment Director for Hyder Consulting, now Arcadis. She has also held several non-executive, interim management and strategy consulting roles at organisations including Peter Brett (now Stantec), Atkins (now part of SNC Lavalin), National Grid and ERM. Stephanie specialises in business impacts on biodiversity having developed, with co-Directors at Biocensus, a method of biodiversity foot-printing. She holds an MBA from a top business school and takes a genuine interest in her clients’ business risks and opportunities. She is active in the field of biodiversity research and chairs both the Environmental Net Gain Working Group and the Strategic Policy Panel of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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