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BusinessAbout the Nordic Swan Ecolabel

Biodiversity

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is an important tool for preserving biodiversity and achieving more responsible use of natural resources.

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The biodiversity crisis is a global crisis on a par with both the climate crise and the chemical crise.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has determined that nature is in crisis. One million species are threatened with extinction within the next decades, and it is estimated that species loss occurs up to 100-1000 times faster than before in human history

What is biodiversity?

"The diversity of living organisms in all environments, both on land and in water, as well as the ecological interactions in which the organisms participate. Biodiversity encompasses variations within and between species as well as the diversity of ecosystems."

Definition from the UN (source: mst.dk)

Threats to biodiversity:

  • Loss of natural habitats both in water and on land
  • Overexploitation of natural resources
  • Increased distribution of invasive species
  • Pollution of air, water and land
  • Climate change.

Nature is necessary for human existence and quality of life. We need natural resources – but we must not consume more than nature can restore, and this must not be at the expense of biodiversity.

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is one of the tools that can be used to preserve biodiversity and achieve more responsible use of natural resources.

How the Nordic Swan Ecolabel contributes

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel requires that raw materials are sourced in a more responsible way. The aim is to prevent species loss, prevent ecosystem degradation and not extract more raw materials than nature is able to renew. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel also sets other requirements that help preserve biodiversity – the requirements depend on the product group in question.

Examples of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel's requirements that benefit biodiversity:

  • Requirements for raw material certifications according to credible third-party standards and certification schemes, including requirements for traceability of raw materials.
  • Prohibiting or restricting certain raw materials/raw materials that have not been produced or sourced in a more responsible way.
  • Resource efficiency requirements and increased use of recycled raw materials – this reduces the use of virgin raw materials.
  • Requirements that promote circular economy and thus also save resources, including repair, disassembly and service life requirements.
  • Requirements for measures that preserve biodiversity.
  • Prohibition or restriction of chemicals that may harm nature and the environment.
  • Requirements that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and thus also reduce climate change, which also benefits biodiversity.