Biodiversity means that there are many different species of all living things, such as animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. It also means that there is genetic variation within species and many different types of habitats where these can live. The concept of biodiversity can be difficult to understand, but it is actually something we can all relate to.
Biodiversity means that there are many different species of all living things, such as animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. It also means that there is genetic variation within species and many different types of habitats where these can live. The concept of biodiversity can be difficult to understand, but it is actually something we can all relate to.
I think it's wonderful to stand under a willow in spring and hear the buzz of activity as bumblebees gather pollen. Or when I see a hedgehog on my way home in the evening. And many would surely agree with me that it's hard to resist a good cup of coffee in the morning or sweet strawberries at Midsummer. Both depend on the presence of bumblebees and bees for pollination. All of this and so much more is encompassed within the concept of biodiversity.
However, the situation does not look very bright. We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, the last one occurring 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs went extinct. Many believe that the loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest challenges of our time, perhaps even greater than climate change. This is mainly due to the clearing of natural habitats to make way for more agricultural and grazing land, but also due to climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing. And it is not only nature that suffers but also humans, as we are entirely dependent on rich biodiversity to produce food, obtain clean water, and clean air.
The EU is leading the development
Biodiversity is an issue that is receiving increasing attention, which is important. In 2022, a decision was made on a global framework to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss, and the EU has developed a biodiversity strategy. The new reporting requirements under the EU directive CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) will also make it mandatory for large companies to report on material issues for them. For the food industry, biodiversity is such an issue. Axfood will start reporting under the directive for the financial year 2024 and has also, as one of the first Swedish companies, taken the first step to report under the voluntary framework TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) which was launched last year.
Food production is the biggest driver of species loss. Therefore, we have both a great responsibility and significant opportunities to make an impact. At Axfood, we have long been working to reduce the negative impact on biodiversity. The most important part of this work is setting requirements when purchasing goods, and certifications are some of the most crucial tools in the toolbox. Sustainability certifications such as KRAV, EU Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Svenskt Sigill, MSC, and ASC include requirements that reduce the negative impact on biodiversity in agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture.
A more sustainable selection
Coffee, tea, cocoa, soy, and palm oil are among the crops with the most significant negative impact on biodiversity, which is why all our private label products in these categories are sustainability certified. Additionally, all bananas sold at Hemköp, Snabbgross, and Willys are sustainability certified. Fish and seafood products that receive a red light in WWF's fish guide are not sold in our stores, and the goal is for all fish and seafood sold to be sustainability certified or receive a green light in WWF's fish guide. We also have sales targets for sustainability-labeled and organic products, which are important to encourage the entire organization to continuously develop the range and create attractive and more sustainable offerings for our customers. Axfood's efforts to reduce food waste are also important to reduce the negative impact on biodiversity. Food that is thrown away is an unnecessary waste of the land and resources used to produce it.
Significantly stronger measures are needed if the world is to succeed in reversing the trend for biodiversity. At Axfood, we have recently conducted a risk analysis regarding climate and biodiversity in the supply chain and are now reviewing how we can take even greater responsibility where the impact is greatest. Since we have several thousand items in our range, a lot of work is required to obtain information on exactly where all the raw materials used are produced. There are significant differences in the impact on biodiversity depending on exactly where production takes place, and it can vary greatly within a country's borders.
Therefore, one must be able to delve into the details, and the databases and tools available are still not detailed enough. That said, I believe there is enough information to act now. We simply do not have time to sit and wait for better solutions. It is actions here and now that can make a real difference in the fight for biodiversity, and I am convinced that we can succeed. Not just to enjoy that good cup of coffee or hear the buzzing bumblebees in the future, but for the well-being of us all. The issue of biodiversity is actually an existential question about human survival.
