Optima Maximise their Ecological Potential Through Scientific Research

The 4 key biodiversity hotspots that were demonstrated in this assessment were;

59% Land Use

20% Climate Change & Terrestrial Ecosystems

15% Acidification of Terrestrial Ecosystems

10% Eutrophication of Freshwater Ecosystems

PROJECT

To receive advice and support assessing the significant risks within their wider supply chain in order to maximise their ecological potential.

WHAT WE DID

Supply Chain Biodiversity Footprint Assessment

CLIENT

OPTIMA CASE STUDY

Optima are a manufacturing company designing and creating beautiful interiors with crafted glazed partitioning systems. As an organisation, they struggled with identifying external biodiversity hotspots, assessing the significant risks within their wider supply chain. They came to Tunley to receive advice and support to analyse and maximise the ecological potential through the use of scientific research.

Tunley Environmental^® carried out a Supply Chain Biodiversity Footprint (SCBF) Assessment for Optima. This assessment was conducted by Biodiversity Specialist and Sustainability Scientist, Tara Garraty. An innovative tool, known as the Biodiversity Input-Output method was used to assess and quantify the biodiversity impacts from Optima's supply chain. From the assessment, 4 key biodiversity hotspots were demonstrated;

Land use with 59%
Climate change and terrestrial ecosystems with 20%
Acidification of terrestrial ecosystems with 15%
Eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems with 10%

Now that these hotspots have been identified, a deeper dive will be carried out to offer more insight into how each commodity identified in the supply chain, contributes to these ecological impacts. This will be done by providing recommendations to aid in mitigating impacts for the future. For Optima, this assessment has allowed them to gain an in-depth understanding of the detrimental biodiversity and habitat loss. As well as analysing the biodiversity hotspots and identifying the key suppliers to work with to enable improvements in Optima's biodiversity footprint.

Thank you to Gracie Stammers from Optima, for partaking in this case study and documenting Optima's journey. We asked Gracie how valuable the relationship has been and she stated "The expertise at Tunley Environmental has been invaluable and would not hesitate to recommend others to follow in optima's footsteps." Being able to assist Optima on this journey to improving their supply chain biodiversity footprint has been a great experience for Tunley and we look forward to assisting them further.