Get the knowledge: How products impact biodiversity

Consumer level action 

• Use your purchasing power

“The first step towards being an eco-conscious consumer is to always evaluate the importance of a particular purchase,” said Steve Brunn, senior director of private sector engagement at Winrock. “If you do need a particular item – let’s say that t-shirt or a pair of shoes – always opt for high-quality products that will last both in terms of style and durability. This will reduce your overall consumption and impact on the environment.”

He also advisees looking for certifications that indicate whether a product is produced in a way that minimises the impact on the environment. For example, the Rainforest Alliance certificate for coffee means the beans are produced using “climate-smart and regenerative growing practices” that promote rather than harm the environment. A Forest Stewardship Council certification on wood and paper means it has been produced with responsible management of forests in mind. The Soil Association symbol signifies that a product – perhaps a Botanicals face cleanser or Pukka tea – has been made using natural resources and organic, natural or naturally-derived substances. 

“These products are not only better for the environment but are also generally better for the people producing the product and for your own personal wellbeing,” says Brunn.  

• Be aware of biodiversity issues

Consumers should also be aware of the land care issues involved with growing certain products so that they can raise their voice “either through their consumer choices or putting pressure on their governments,” says Sonja Vermeulen, global director of food security research partnership GGIAR and commissioner responsible for the EAT-Lancet report on food, planet and health.

Some initiatives that are already being rolled out by governments include Australia’s Carbon Farming Initiative which sees land-use managers receive carbon credits in return for increasing carbon in the soil or reducing greenhouse gases, and Costa Rica’s National Payment for Environmental Services programme, which rewards farmers’ good management of water run-off. 

Brunn explains that there is a growing focus on regenerative systems that incentivise stakeholders to act in ways that restore ecosystems, build livelihoods, as well as mitigate and adapt to climate change risk. For example, in the US, Winrock is helping transition farmers toward increased grazing of livestock. “[This] has multiple positive impacts for soil health, carbon sequestration, extreme weather resilience, farmer profitability, community development, ecosystem restoration, animal health, and food nutrient content,” Brunn says.

• Adopt a more sustainable diet

WWF‘s Live Well campaign calls for individuals to opt for healthier and more sustainable diets that embrace nature-positive food production by reducing water use, decreasing pollution, restoring biodiversity, and decreasing GHG emissions through better soil and manure management. 

In practice, this might mean adopting what Vermeulen calls a “planetary health diet". A plant-forward diet, the emphasis here is on eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes with meat and dairy constituting a smaller part of the diet. 

Vermeulen also believes governments should implement policies to support the development of alternative crops that might be more resilient to climate change and food crises. As it stands, half of the calories consumed by people come from the same three crops: rice, wheat and maize. Opting to eat a different grain, such as millet or bulgur, will help reduce this dependency, she says.

• Reduce demand on ecosystems through consumption choices and cutting waste

“This can mean using reduced water options when washing clothes or dishes, or simple actions like reducing food waste and ensuring you make use of all food that you buy or donating food that you cannot use,” Brunn says.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that a staggering one third of all food produced is wasted or lost. “In developing countries it happens from the farm gate to the grocery store and in developed countries… it happens from the grocery store to the kitchen table,” explains Vermeulen. Thinking more consciously about the amount of food you consume can help mitigate this impact..

When it comes to recycling, Joshua Palfreman, director of the ocean plastics and solid waste management practice at development consultancy DAI, says consumers must be wary of the ’recyclable’ symbol. According to Palfreman, the label is "too liberally" placed on all types of plastics, including multilayer polymers that are extremely difficult to recycle. These include opaque PET bottles or plastics with high concentrations of calcium carbonate. “No recycler in their right mind would buy back and process these multi-layer ’problem plastics’,” he says (read more about problem packaging and how to deal with it).

Consumers can make a really big difference but only when manufacturers and retailers make sustainable alternatives available

Instead, he advises, “consumers could seek out more sustainable alternatives, focusing on transparent PET bottles, or glass, metal, and refillable beverage container options,” noting that “consumers can make a really big difference but only when manufacturers and retailers make sustainable alternatives available."

This article was originally published on 11/07/2022 but has been updated to reflect the latest research and developments in this area.