Safeguarding biodiversity. Boosting innovation.

What do new medicines, resilient supply chains and sustainable innovation have in common? They all depend on functioning ecosystems and biodiversity. Biodiversity is therefore no longer merely a matter of nature conservation, but a strategic factor for the economy, research and industrial competitiveness.

In its new position paper, scienceindustries explains why biodiversity is increasingly becoming a strategic issue for businesses and outlines the framework conditions needed to ensure that sustainability, innovation and industrial value creation can be strengthened in tandem.

Biodiversity and the economy go hand in hand

The loss of biological diversity ranks among the greatest long-term risks to the economy and society worldwide. At the same time, the importance of innovative solutions that conserve resources, close cycles and reduce environmental impacts is growing. Companies in the chemical , pharmaceutical and life sciences industries are already actively driving this development forward, for example through new materials, biotechnological processes, more efficient production processes or more sustainable supply chains.

The position paper also highlights the close link between biodiversity and climate protection. Healthy ecosystems stabilise water balances, mitigate climate risks and strengthen the resilience of production systems. At the same time, climate change directly affects biodiversity, the availability of raw materials and supply chains.

Science-based solutions rather than added complexity

scienceindustries advocates a science- and risk-based approach to biodiversity conservation. International compatibility, workable regulation and proportionate requirements are crucial to enable companies to invest sustainably and remain innovative. Actionable guidelines and practical tools are particularly needed for SMEs.

The paper also shows that biodiversity cannot be viewed in isolation. Conflicts of interest between nature conservation, energy supply, infrastructure development and raw material extraction must be identified at an early stage and addressed in a solution-oriented manner. Research, technological innovation and dialogue between business, science, politics and society play a central role in this.

Companies are already implementing concrete measures

Many companies are already integrating biodiversity considerations into their sustainability strategies, risk assessments and supply chains. These include, amongst others:

• sustainable procurement and resource efficiency,
• biodiversity-enhancing measures on company premises,
• innovative processes in research and production,
• circular economy and substitution approaches,
• and collaborations along global value chains.

The position paper makes it clear: biodiversity conservation and industrial innovation reinforce one another. Companies that manage nature-related risks at an early stage whilst simultaneously developing new solutions strengthen their resilience and secure Switzerland’s position as a hub for innovation in the long term.

Download the position paper (in German)