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CertificationOverview
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Published by LIFE InstituteWebsite: www.institutolife.org
Contact LIFE InstituteRua Victor Benato, 210Bosque Zaninelli • PilarzinhoCEP: 82120-110 • Curitiba(PR) • Brasil+55 41 3253-7884 / +55 41 3252-7092Email: [email protected]
Layout Estúdio Contramão
Photos Marcos Amend - www.marcosamend.comGerson Sobreira - www.terrastock.com.brRoberto Okamura - www.fotoaventura.com.br Zig Koch - www.zigkoch.com.brwww.shutterstock.comMichelle Galdi SpinelliBianca Brasil
Translation Bianca BrasilLee Bloch
Place and Date Curitiba, Brazil • May 2012
© LIFE Institute
Reserves the rights provided by copyright law, in Brazil and internationally, according to the terms defined in Brazilian and foreign legislation relevant to this matter. Any form of use and/or reproduction of part or all of these Document, including photocopies or eletronic format, must first be expressly authorized by LIFE Institute.
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The challenges facing biodiversity conservation have never been as great as they are now, when pressures on
ecosystems are increasing to unprecedented levels due to human population growth, increased unsustainable
consumption and production patterns, spread of invasive alien species, coupled with climate change impacts.
The international community has succeeded at COP10 of the Convention on Biological Diversity to agree on a
new global agenda for biodiversity for the decade of 2011-2020, including a set of 20 targets – the Aichi Targets.
However, we will only succeed in meeting those targets to the extent we manage to mainstream biodiversity in all
sectorial policies and in all business strategies and practices.
Of paramount importance is the wiliness of all citizens, business and governments to practice responsible
consumption. To help support such cultural and economic shift we need better information on production patterns
available to all in a transparent and reliable way. How to ensure that the information provided by producers
of goods and services are reliable when they make claims regarding biodiversity conservation, use and benefit
sharing?
Voluntary certification is one such mechanism. There is a growing proliferation of certification schemes everywhere,
but most of them are product-oriented or process-oriented and have little bearing on biodiversity issues. There is
a scarcity of performance-oriented certification mechanisms focused on biodiversity issues – this precisely what
LIFE Certification promotes.
The Brazilian Ministry of the Environment is proud to be a supporter of the LIFE Certification initiative since
its inception. We believe the LIFE Institute has developed and tested a comprehensive and adequate set of
biodiversity criteria to evaluate the environmental performance of business initiatives. This has been done with
partners in the academy, the non-governmental (NGOs) and the private sectors, and taking the objectives of the
Convention on Biological Diversity as a reference.
Several important Brazilian companies have decided to use the LIFE Certification mechanism and have found it
to be very useful in identifying where they need to enhance their performance regarding biodiversity to meet the
highest standards.
LIFE Certification was born in Brazil but it has the potential and the ambition to become global, as a mechanism
like it is needed everywhere. Considering that Brazil is a megadiverse country of continental proportions facing
all the kinds of challenges and opportunities in handling biodiversity issues faced by all countries, I believe that
a certification mechanism developed for Brazil can be utilized everywhere else in the world, with appropriate
adjustments.
I invite all those committed to implement the Aichi Targets to examine and test the criteria developed in Brazil for
the LIFE Certification and apply them wherever possible.
Braulio Ferreira de Souza DiasNational Secretary for Biodiversity and Forests
Brazilian Ministry of the EnvironmentDecember, 2011.
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It gives me great pleasure to support this first publication of our partners of the LIFE Institute. Brazil, by its very
nature, is a critical player in the area of business and biodiversity and LIFE has been an important partner of the
business outreach programme of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In São Paulo in
November 2005, we held the second global meeting on business and biodiversity. The following year, at COP-8,
held in Cutitiba, we saw the first ever decision on business and biodiversity be adopted by the Parties.
The Secretariat of the CBD is pleased that the LIFE Certification system addresses a core objective of the
Convention: to engage the business community in the campaign for the protection of the diversity of life on Earth.
The LIFE Certification was formally launched at the Business and Biodiversity Workshop in Rio de Janeiro which
was co-hosted by the Secretariat. This two-day event attracted well over 250 decision makers in business and
helped to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity to the corporate community. I am pleased to note that
as a follow-up to the workshop, Brazil is now embarking on establishing a business and biodiversity initiative,
which will continue to raise awareness and help companies to mainstream biodiversity and the goals of the
Convention into their day-to-day activities. We are pleased that LIFE will be an integral part of this effort, and we
look forward to continuing to work with them in this regard.
We also feel that LIFE Certification itself is important in helping companies deal with concerns surrounding
biodiversity. A major challenge for companies, both large and small, is to understand, assess, mitigate and
measure their environmental impact. With an issue as complex as biodiversity, this challenge is doubly daunting.
By definition, industrial production and consumption processes both depend, and have an impact upon
biodiversity. Customers globally are ready to use their purchasing dollars for a sustainable future, but without
appropriate - and verifiable - environmental performance standards, there will always be the risk of greenwashing.
By developing and applying well-tested methodologies to monitor how much businesses in Brazil, and elsewhere,
are protecting biodiversity, and by providing leading enterprises with a recognized label, LIFE helps to harness the
energy of business towards the achievement of the Aichi Targets for 2020.
LIFE Certification is thus an important tool in helping companies to meet this challenge, and through this, to
help them to reduce their environmental footprint. Certifications such as that developed by LIFE are crucial to
moving the biodiversity agenda forward - more so as LIFE’s technology and procedures were developed entirely
in an emerging megadiverse country and a leader in the Convention. We encourage LIFE to continue to expand its
efforts in this area, and we invite the global business community to use its Certification system to guide future
investments.
Ahmed DjoghlafExecutive Secretary
Convention on Biological DiversityDecember, 2011.
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From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us,
it’s different. Look again at that dot. That’s here, that’s home, that’s us. On it everyone you love,
everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their
lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies and
economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer
of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful
child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,”
every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of
dust suspended in a sunbeam.
— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
LIFE LOGO
The above text by Carl Sagan was the element that inspired the LIFE logo.
LIFE stands for: Lasting Initiative For Earth.
It is the perfect visualization for the most noble of the legacies
we can leave to our descendants.
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MESSAGE FROM THE CREATORS OF LIFE CERTIFICATION
“Providing tools to the business sector that reconcile biodiversity conservation and their production
requirements is a crucial task in the world today. Values such as ethics, scientific knowledge and
sense of priority are not easily transformed into practical means to promote sustainability and social
responsibility. Clearly, we need to engender alternatives to reverse the historical loss of biodiversity and
to stop the conflicting views between ‘conservation of natural heritage’ and ‘models of development’. A
new way of interpreting the use of natural resources, however, has been supported by different players
worldwide. Recognition of the relevance of ecosystem services for the balance of the planet has already
become a concern for governments, corporations and institutions in the third sector. It is clear that the
destruction of nature and its consequences need to be brought to a halt in order to mitigate social and
economic losses which can only become more severe and intense over time. Fortunately issues such
as business interests and biodiversity conservation, which have been conflicting for the most part until
recently, have just started to come together in a virtuous process. The creation of LIFE Certification is
closely linked to the conviction that new initiatives, to improve the relationship between businesses
and biodiversity, are needed for the emergence of an agenda committed to life and to the future.”
Fundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à NaturezaMaria de Lourdes Nunes • Executive Director
Gráfica e Editora PosigrafGiem Guimarães • President
Fundación AVINAMiguel Milano • Representative for South Brazil and Pantanal Region
Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação Ambiental (SPVS)Clóvis Borges • Executive Director
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LIFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEMBERS
LIFE FISCAL BOARD
PRESIDENTClovis BorgesExecutive Director - SPVS
Fernando FernandezProfessor Ecology DepartmentFederal University of Rio de Janeiro
Mario Prestes Monzoni NetoCoordinator - Study Center of Sustainability of Getúlio Vargas Foundation
Giem GuimarãesPresident – Posigraf
Jorge Miguel SamekDirector – Itaipu Binational
Everson Breda Partner – ZHC Group
Miguel Gellert KrigsnerPresident of the Board of Directors – O Boticario Group
Thomas LovejoyPresident – Heinz Center for Science, Economy and Environment
Paulo Monteiro Barbosa FilhoSustainability Director – EBX Group
Pedro Wilson Leitão FilhoPresident of the Board of Directors - FUNBIO
Jucimar Nunes Partner – Valim Nunes Associates
VICE-PRESIDENTMiguel MilanoDirector - Permian BrazilRepresenting AVINA on the board
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Lucas Dezordi Chief Economist – Inva Capital
Angel Alberto YanoskyDiretor Executivo Guyra Paraguai
INDEX
PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
LIFE INSTITUTE: FROM IDEA TO REALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
LIFE’S MISSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
LIFE’S VISION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
1. LIFE CERTIFICATION: DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
2. CERTIFICATION METHODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
LIFE CERTIFICATION PREMISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
STEP 1 – Adaptation of organization management to LIFE Principles, Criteria and indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
LIFE CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
STEP 2 – Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value Calulation (BEIV). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
STEP 3 – Defining the minimum performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCAminimum
) . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
STEP 4 – Evaluating of Performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Group 1 – Protected Areas Officially Implemented . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Group 2 – Other areas of Interest for Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Group 3 – Taxa of interest for Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Group 4 – Minimization of Impacts on Biodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Group 5 – Actions of Indirect Contribuition Biodiversity Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
3. TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
4. LIFE CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
STRATEGIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF PRIVATE-SECTOR ENGAGEMENT UN CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
LIFE KEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
REFERENCES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
PARTNERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This document was created with the aim of presenting LIFE Institute and LIFE Certification in its entirety.
The reader is provided with information concerning:
• How LIFE Institute and LIFE Certification were created
• Methodology development
• Step-by-step guide to LIFE Certification process
• LIFE Certification management system
• Strategies
Upon thorough and complete review of this publication, the reader is expected to understand:
• Methodologies supporting LIFE Certification
• Knowledge of LIFE mechanisms ability to assist the business sector in:
o Incorporate biodiversity conservation into the business management process
o Use of proven, positive results for conservation
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Preface
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Approximately 40% of the global economy is based on products sourced from biodiversity or its ecological processes. It is crucial to preserve the diversity of species, ecosystems and the wealth of genetic biodiversity in order to maintain the natural balance of the Planet and also to secure businesses continuity.
Until recently, the loss of biodiversity was a natural and acceptable outcome of development and economic growth. In this way through the environmental management tools available until this moment, the loss of biodiversity was compensated in various ways not necessarily indicating or resulting in effective conservation actions. Fortunately we are beginning to notice a change in societies behavior as evidenced countless initiatives worldwide seeking to incorporate biodiversity conservation into the business decision-making process. The international community has increasingly demanded an active positioning by the business sector in relation to the conservation of natural resources. Consequently, biodiversity conservation as a voluntary corporate action recognized by a system of independent evaluation, represents a promising opportunity.
Studies in Biology and Ecological Economics have demonstrated that the sustainability of resources will only be achieved if there is a genuine concern with the conservation of biodiversity and ecological processes. As a result of the increasing recognition of the interdependence between biodiversity conservation and its interface with environmental services and businesses operations, the urgency in establishing a concrete management mechanism was identified. The need to conserve biodiversity through the maintenance of natural heritage and through strengthening the engagement of the private sector with environmental issues has set the scene for the creation of LIFE Certification.
“One of the more promising initiatives, coming out of Brazil and gaining international prominence, is the LIFE Institute. They have created and are responsible for managing LIFE Certification, which qualifies and recognizes public and private organizations that promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development initiatives, thus ensuring the protection of ecosystem integrity.”
TEEB For Business
LIFE Institute
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LIFE Institute:From Idea to Reality
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LIFE INSTITUTE: FROM IDEA TO REALITY
Since its establishment in 2009, LIFE Institute has been working to develop a consistent and robust methodology based on technical and scientific specifications and on effective actions to conserve biodiversity.
LIFE Institute has the recognition of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which believes LIFE Certification to be a pragmatic method of establishing direct commitment from organizations with the global goals of biodiversity conservation.
Thus, according to its purposes, the main result of LIFE Institute’s innovative concept rests on the dissemination of concrete science-based actions for biodiversity conservation. These actions result inequivalency to the responsibilities derived from environmental impact of activities carried out by organizations.
LIFE Institute is responsible for the development and management of LIFE Certification. The certification aims at qualifying and recognizing public and private organizations that develop positive and effective actions towards biodiversity conservation. These actions henceforth result in contributing to the maintenance of natural areas and their ecological processes and the perennial supply of environmental services (water cycle, climate regulation, raw materials supply, etc.).
LIFE Institute deems the potential of certification as a means of recognizing companies achieving practices and commitments with regards to the biodiversity conservation. LIFE Certification creates positive differentiation providing formal and credible recognition to businesses in the market place while promoting dissemination of these actions across the business world.
LIFE´S MISSION
To recognize and add value to both private and public institutions that develop favorable actions to biodiversity conservation.
LIFE´S VISION
To be recognized internationally as a reference in the promotion of the integration between business and biodiversity conservation by 2020.
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LIFE Certification:Development
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LIFE CERTIFICATION: DEVELOPMENT
Since 2009 a group of specialists, technicians, consultants, business managers, and representatives
from government, academia and civil society are working to develop a complete certification system,
keeping in mind:
• Conservation of biodiversity as a voluntary act
• The need for a conservation performance that is compatible with impacts on biodiversity and the
capacity for investment, never losing sight of promoting the inclusion and engagement of small/
medium businesses
• Objectivity through the quantification of impacts and scoring of conservation actions based on
technical and scientifically recognized criteria
• Applicability to businesses of any size or sector
This process involves more than 198 experts and 96 organizations in public meetings, technical
meetings and pilot audits, and was initiated with an extensive research on an international level on
actions already carried out in this direction.
Benchmarking
In 2008, even before the creation of LIFE Institute, a wide and extensive research is conducted to
ensure the innovation of the mechanism being developed, focused on biodiversity conservation
actions applicable to the entire business spectrum regardless of the size or line of business of the
organizations.
Creation of the Working Group
One of the first steps into developing the Certification is the creation of a multidisciplinary team of
experts: biologists, mathematicians, engineers and environmental managers who developed the
methodology of LIFE Certification through a complex and integrated work dynamics.
Stakeholder Participation
In the process of developing the LIFE Certification methodology, several stakeholder consultations took
place such as: public meetings with NGOs, academia, government agencies and private companies;
technical meetings with a range of specialists in the areas of environmental management and
biodiversity conservation; provision of documents and information via website; creation of a Technical
and Scientific Committee; and creation of a Permanent Technical Committee.
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LIFE Institute Governance
LIFE Institute’s Governance is built upon a three-fold manner by representatives from the second sector
(private sector), the third sector (non-profit organizations) and academia.
Permanent Technical Committee
LIFE Institute established a Permanent Technical Committee as an advisory body to the Board
of Directors. The committee is comprised by members of the private sector, the civil society and
prestigious experts in the area of biodiversity conservation. The aim of the body is to provide guidance
to the development and continuous improvement of the methodology providing support aligned with
the main international strategies for biodiversity conservation.
Pilot Audits
Testing and refining of the methodology in preparation for the release of Version 1.0 also featured pilot
audits conducted in companies of different sizes and sectors, which were located in different biomes.
The pilot audits were performed by professionals with extensive experience in different environmental
certification systems.
Ahmed Djoghlafex-Executive Secretary
Convention on Biological Diversity
“A major initiative, the LIFE Certification scheme was submitted to Nagoyaand was welcome so we are extremely delighted to see the leadership of thebusiness community in Brazil.”
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Certification Methodology
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CERTIFICATION METHODOLOGY
LIFE Certification assumes that real engagement with biodiversity conservation can be assessed in two
complementary ways:
a ) The inclusion of biodiversity across the board in environmental management
b ) Performance of direct, voluntary and effective actions for biodiversity conservation
In this way, the methodology is comprised of: a qualitative approach, applied to organizational
management; and a quantitative approach, which establishes the minimum performance and evaluates
the efficacy of conservation actions that are carried out.
LIFE Certification Methodology encompasses four steps:
Steps Reference documents
STEP 1Adjustment of organizational management with the Principles, Criteria and indicators.
LIFE Certification Standards: Principles, Criteria and indicators established according to the Premises, which are based on the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
STEP 2Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV) calculation LIFE Technical Guide 01: describes how to
calculate the minimum performance score in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCA
minimum) to
be achieved by an organization according to its size and environmental impact.STEP 3
Establishment of a minimum performance score in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCA
minimum) required for Certification
STEP 4Evaluation of performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCA).
LIFE Technical Guide 02: describes the methodology and the scoring system for Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCA) evaluation.
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THE FOLLOWING FIGURE SHOWS A SUMMARY OF THE LIFE CERTIFICATION METHODOLOGY
“...Other motivating factors include the biodiversity certification, such as theBrazilian LIFE Institute (Lasting Initiative For Earth) which has begun to unitelarge Brazilian companies, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the Brazilian government.”
Biosphere EconomyVolans
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LIFE CERTIFICATION PREMISES
a) Conserving biodiversity means maintaining conditions favorable to human life on Earth.
b) Biodiversity conservation is essential for human well-being and for maintaining businesses.
c) All enterprise cause some environmental impact due to the use of natural resources, regardless of
its management.
d) All negative impacts on the environment should be avoided; when impacts are unavoidable, they
should be minimized.
e) Impacts that cannot be avoided, even those already minimized, must be compensated, even if the
compensation is an action limited to conservation, given that each form of life and each ecosystem
have a unique tangible and intangible value.
f ) Scientific research, as well as the contribution of associated traditional knowledge where applicable,
is fundamental to the monitoring and development of new technologies promoting the conservation
autochthonous biodiversity, and to compensating for those inevitable or residual impacts.
g) Initiatives favorable to nature conservation and ecosystem services, based on the best scientific
knowledge, should contribute immediately to reversing the current trend of loss of biodiversity in
all hierarchical levels - genes, species, ecosystems, biomes - their interactions and integrations, and
should be evaluated and recognized.
h) The precautionary approach and the ecosystem approach, both basic pillars of the Convention on
Biological Diversity, can be put into practice in different ways as a function of local, regional, national
and international conditions, always considering the rights of indigenous peoples and traditional and
local communities. Both biological and cultural diversity are central components of the ecosystem
approach.
i) Conservation management and the use of biodiversity should consider the importance of fair and
equitable distribution of the derived benefits.
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1 STEP 1
ADAPTATION OF ORGANIzATIONAL MANAGEMENT TO LIFE PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA AND INDICATORS.
LIFE Certification Standards are derived from premises based on objectives of the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD), then structured into Principles, Criteria and indicators.
Compliance with LIFE Certification Standards depends on meeting all the Principles, Criteria and
indicators that are applicable to the audited organization.
A Principle is considered met when all the criteria applicable to the auditee have been met.
A Criterion is considered met when all the applicable indicators are in conformity.
The Standards set forth in this regulation establish the basis for the implementation of LIFE Certification
system for any organization.P
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LIFE CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLE 1: Common responsibility
Organizations have to operate effectively in biodiversity conservation, considering it as a common good
for which everyone should be responsible, regardless their legal status – private or public entities, or
the direct or indirect use of biodiversity.
PRINCIPLE 2: Compliance with legislation, agreements, treaties and international programs
Organizations of every nature, size or sector should comply with current legislation applicable to its
activities, as well as with international treaties and agreements signed by the country where they
operate.
PRINCIPLE 3: Biodiversity conservation as an action of additionality
Organizations should identify, carry out or support, and monitor biodiversity conservation actions, in
addition to those required by law.
PRINCIPLE 4: Interaction among biodiversity, human well-being and business
Organizations should operate considering that conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity
are always linked to human well-being, both at individual or collective levels, and to the sustainability
of the organization.
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PRINCIPLE 5: Priority and complementarity between environmental management and impact
compensation
Organizations should observe the following hierarchy when it comes to biodiversity impact
management: to avoid generating impacts, to minimize unavoidable environmental impacts, to reverse
the caused damage and finally to compensate any residual impacts.
PRINCIPLE 6: Traditional science and knowledge
Organizations should promote actions favorable to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
that are substantiated by science, considering the contribution of associated traditional knowledge
when applicable.
PRINCIPLE 7: Cultural heritage valorization and benefit sharing
Organizations should value cultural heritage, respecting the rights of indigenous people and of
traditional and local communities considering where applicable, the fair and equitable sharing
of benefits that arise from biodiversity and traditional knowledge, as well as associated risks and
liabilities.
PRINCIPLE 8: Monitoring and continuous improvement
According to the sector and size of their activities, organizations should monitor their negative
environmental impact as well as their conservation actions, thus promoting continuous improvement
of environmental management with focus on biodiversity.
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2 STEP 2
BIODIVERSITY ESTIMATED IMPACT VALUE CALCULATION (BEIV)
Further to the appraisal of the compliance level with LIFE Certification Standards, the next step is to
calculate the Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV). It is the referential for environmental aspects
related to the main impacts on biodiversity that can be quantified.
The environmental aspects evaluated in order to calculate the BEIV were selected based on four
criteria:
1. Relevance to global biodiversity loss
2. Feasibility of data measurement
3. Data availability
4. Possibility of collecting data in organizations of all sizes and sectors
Based on the mentioned criteria, five environmental aspects were selected; four of which are
indirectly related to biodiversity loss, and one of which is directly related to biodiversity loss.
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For the calculation of Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV), aspects indirectly-related to
biodiversity loss are evaluated in two ways: quantity and severity.
LIFE methodology considers quantity the contribution of the environmental aspect evaluated against a
national referential value. The same applies to water consumption, waste generation, energy use and
greenhouse gas emission.
The Total Quantity Index (TQI) is obtained by adding the Indexes (QI) of each environmental aspect:
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The severity of environmental aspect takes into account not only the quantity but also parameters of
gravity: the global warming potential of each gas emitted; the ratio of hazardous waste as opposed to
non-hazardous waste; water availability in the region where the organization is located as well as its
energy matrix.
The Total Severity Index (TSI) is obtained by adding the Severity Indexes (SI) of each environmental
aspect:
When it comes to the direct impact on biodiversity the evaluation takes into account the Area
Occupation Index (AOI):
Area Occupation Index (AOI)
In addressing the area occupation impact of a given biome taking into account its fragility, it is
necessary to calculate the Area Occupation Value (AOV).
- Enterprise area
- Original area occupied by the biome where the organization is located
- Biome remaining area where organization is located
This value is later transformed into an index due to the need to work in a non-dimensional manner.
The objective of this index is the differentiation between the direct impacts on biodiversity carried out
by organization of different sizes, while taking into account how threatened is the biome in which the
organization is located.
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Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV)
The Total Quantity Index (TQI) and Total Severity Index (TSI) combined with the Area Occupation Index
(AOI) make possible the calculation of the Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV) through the
following formula:
Where:BEIV: Biodiversity Estimated Impact ValueAOI: Area Occupation IndexTQI: Total Quantity IndexTSI: Total Severity Indexw: weight equals 0,25
Once the Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV) is calculated, it is possible to define the minimum
performance on Conservation Actions (BCAminimum
) that the organization should achieve (step 3).
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3 STEP 3
Defining the minimum performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCAminimum)
Calculation of the minimum performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCAminimum
) is
determined by two factors: Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV) and the size of the organization,
represented by its Gross Revenue (GR).
These two components are considered in the LIFE Certification Methodology through a mathematical
function so that the minimum performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCAminimum
) will enable
to differentiate organizations proportionally with their impacts and their ability to invest.
BCAminimum
- minimum performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions
- Gross Revenue
- Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value
The result of this equation represents the Minim
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BCAminimum = f(GR) . g(BEIV)
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The result of this equation represents the minimum performance in Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCA
minimum) that should be carried out by the
organization in order to obtain LIFE Certification.
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LIFE Institute developed a tool that enables the calculation of the Biodiversity Estimated Impact Value (BEIV) and minimum performance in Conservation Actions (BCA
minimum).
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4 STEP 4
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS (BCA)
LIFE Certification Methodology is developed not only to recognize organizations that implement
actions in favor of biodiversity conservation but also first and foremost, to provide strategic guidance
to those wishing to incorporate biodiversity conservation into their businesses, or guarantee the
efficacy of their actions.
LIFE Technical Guide 02 was developed according to this hierarchy. It is designed to serve both as
a guidance tool for decision making and carrying out actions to conserve biodiversity, as well as to
evaluate these actions according to LIFE Certification guidelines.
Biodiversity Conservation Actions (BCA) encompassed in the scoring system are structured in five main
groups within LIFE Technical Guide 02. Each of those groups is sub divided into themes that comprise
indicators according to the purpose and object of referred actions.
Scoring can vary depending on type of action, group and theme. Preference will be given to actions
with immediate and significant influence to biodiversity conservation.
HIERARCHY FOR SCORING CONSERVATION ACTIONS
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GROUP 1 – PROTECTED AREAS OFFICIALLY IMPLEMENTED
The themes contemplated on Group 1 reflect categories connected to creation, planning and
biodiversity conservation actions within Protected Areas officially implemented and equivalent to the
IUCN categories I to VI. The location of the Protected Area is an important factor that determines the
overall score. Protected Areas with higher restrictions to their use and located within more threatened
biomes score higher than Protected Areas with less restrictive use and within a less threatened biome.
Conservation actions promoting connectivity related to mosaics and ecological corridors also receive
higher score.
GROUP 2 – OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST FOR CONSERVATION
The themes within Group 2 are similar to Group 1 and are scored considering the same hierarchy;
however, they refer to areas of interest for conservation which are not officially implemented, or to
areas that are officially implemented but not targeting conservation directly. The scoring system also
considers aspects related to biome threat, size and importance of the area to biodiversity conservation.
GROUP 3 – TAxA OF INTEREST FOR CONSERVATION
Group 3 defines conservation actions in situ and ex situ for fauna and flora species. In situ actions are
more valued due to their direct impact for conservation of species in their natural habitats. Criteria
refering to rarity, endemism, and level of threat are also taken into account by the scoring system.
GROUP 4 – MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY
Group 4 themes address the management of impacts on biodiversity and its scoring hierarchy relates
to the planning and actions of prevention, control, minimization, restoration and monitoring of
impacts. The scoring system prioritize actions oriented to the prevention of impacts and the adoption
of sustainable alternatives for natural resources exploitation, production or management; followed by
actions related with the mitigation and restoration of impacts.
GROUP 5 – ACTIONS OF INDIRECT CONTRIBUTION TO BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Group 5 refers to actions with indirect benefits for conservation, e.g. implementation of Payments for
Environmental Services (PES) projects, the implementation of public policies promoting biodiversity
conservation, research and monitoring on impacts of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on native
biological diversity, campaigns for conservation, etc.
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APPLICABILITY OF THE LIFE TECHNICAL GUIDE TO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
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REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFE CERTIFICATION
In order to receive LIFE Certification, the minimum requirements in relation to the four steps of the
methodology are as follows:
Verification of compliance with the minimum requisites of LIFE Certification is conducted by
independent Certifying Bodies, which are trained and credentialed by the LIFE Institute.
Miguel KrigsnerPresident of Board of DirectorsO Boticário Group
“O Boticário is proud to be a part of LIFE Certification for we believe that it is an innovative tool for businesses to invest in biodiversity conservation.”
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Technical Documents
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TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS
The following technical documents detail the requirements for LIFE Certification:
“Part of the innovation brought about by the LIFE Certification scheme has been to provide businesses with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment with the environment, with nature and with biodiversity”
Sean McKaughanExecutive DirectorFundación AVINA
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LIFE Certification Management System
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LIFE CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
LIFE Institute is responsible for the development and management of LIFE Certification Methodology
in any country advised by local Technical Committees. Independent Certifying Bodies accredited by
LIFE Institute are responsible for the evaluation of organizations in accordance with LIFE Certification.
Only Certifying Bodies accredited by LIFE Institute may carry out official audits for LIFE Certification.
To attain accreditation Certifying Bodies must meet a series of requirements established set by
international organizations save exemption from conflict of interest, transparency and credibility of
the process.
Certification, Monitoring and Recertification Audits
After the certification audit (year 0) an organization that receives LIFE Certification will undergo annual
audits by the Certifying Bodies in order to verify the organization’s performance as indicated below:
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Flowchart of Certification Process
The flowchart below shows the complete certification process that the organization undergoes during
auditing by Certifying Bodies:
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Strategies
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International Expansion
Life Institute, with international headquarters in Brazil, is managementing the expansion process of
Certification LIFE in Mercosul countries, Chile and shortly in Europe.
Continuous Improvement
Given the dynamic nature of the mechanism, new elements and techniques will be constantly sought
after and incorporated to the methodology in order to secure excellence in business and environmental
management for biodiversity conservation – always in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Communication
LIFE Institute is constantly seeking to expand its communication channels through the dissemination
of processes, goals and achievements. LIFE Institute is involved in diverse forums both in Brazil and
overseas when it comes to themes related to Business and Biodiversity that has allowed LIFE to be in
tune with cutting-edge practices worldwide.
Technical Input
LIFE Institute has become a reference in regards to business and biodiversity, having had the
opportunity to work side by side with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in implementing
the Brazil Workshop on Business and Biodiversity in 2011. LIFE Institute has also actively participated
in forums that the Brazilian government instituted for the internalization of the Aichi Targets, as well
as in the creation of the global platform on Business and Biodiversity promoted by the Convention on
Biological Diversity. LIFE Institute continues to participate in advisory bodies for other initiatives in
Brazil and around the world today.
Expansion of Partners Network
Due to its dynamic and avant-garde nature, LIFE Institute is constantly seeking new partners that are
able to contribute with new elements to the Certification System. This partner contribution ensures the
certification instrument reflects the worldwide demand for a tool that stimulates the business sector
to invest in conservation actions with effective results for the environment.
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Risks and Opportunities of Private-Sector Engagement in Conserving Biodiversity
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RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF PRIVATE-SECTOR ENGAGEMENT IN CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY
OPERATIONAL
Risks • Cost increase and scarcity of resources necessary for production• Productivity reduction due to dependence on degraded services• Interruption on production processes and insurance increase• Interruption on operations due to natural disasters
Opportunities • Increase on productive processes efficiency by the use of ecosystem services and associated cost reduction
• Adaptation of operations to ensure sustainable flow of resources in the long term• Evaluation of different alternatives for the use of resources ensuring optimal decision making
REPUTATION
Risks • Change in consumer preferences that come to consider the impacts associated with the product• Weakened relationship with stakeholders
Opportunities • Brand differentiation from competitors• Improved relationship with stakeholders• Enhanced performance by personnel
MARKETS AND PRODUCTS
Risks • Waste of natural resources due to poor use• Market loss due to dated technologies aggressive to the environment
Opportunities • Identify alternative resources• Revenue increase by attracting new clients when supporting sustainable products• Consumer loyalty due to development of new technologies
FINANCING
Risks • Restrictive requirements from investment funds• Questionable long term revenue capacity• Poor company performance in financial markets
Opportunities • Attract a growing number of investors who prefer to invest in environmentally responsible businesses• Value gain due to new management model that attracts both investors and consumers
REGULATORY
Risks • Government promoting legislation changes and increase on taxation to ensure that organizations will reduce impacts on biodiversity
• Taxation over scarce natural resources such as water, carbon, land, among others
Opportunities • Organizations that go beyond legislation are better prepared for new regulatory framework
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LIFE key
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LIFE Institute developed a software from the Certification Methodology – LIFE Key. The tool will be available from second half 2012 and will allow a self assessment of the organization’s management according to LIFE methodology, as well as facilitate the auditing process during LIFE Certification.
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From LIFE Key, the organization will be able to:
Further information can be obtained on www.institutolife.org
Obtain information and graphs that indicate the organization’s level of impact on biodiversity
Visualize and monitor biodiversity impacts, as well as conservation actions implemented by the organization
Simulate different levels of performance on conservation for different sized organizations
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REFERENCES
LIFE Certification Methodology is built upon relevant and internationally recognized references
on biodiversity conservation. Below you will find some of the references that are used to establish
hierarchy and the guidelines for conservation actions’ evaluation:
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) main goals and objectives
• Important Bird Areas (IBA) – Birdlife
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
• Red List of Threatened Species and Key Biodiversity Areas – International Union for Conservation of
Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
• Millenium Ecosystem Assessment – Main causes of global biodiversity loss
• Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management Categories. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
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CREATORS
SPONSORS
AGREEMENT
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INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
+ 55 41 3253-7884/ + 55 41 3252-7092