Letter: Projects that must spread their wings

YOUR story "Scientists in a buzz over bee habitats" (19 September) raises the importance of how essential biodiversity is to us as humans.

At last month's Scottish Government's Biodiversity Breakfast, business leaders, scientists and politicians got together to consider how Scottish businesses can help to combat the serious loss of biodiversity.

The willingness of the business community to engage in the conversation was in itself encouraging.

It's worth bearing in mind that cities in particular can lead the way as they provide surprisingly rich and diverse habitats for flora and fauna, whilst generating spin-off benefits for their inhabitants and visitors.

Since Edinburgh has been selected to explore how cities could bring back insect populations, it would be good to see visible, practical initiatives emerge quickly, as well as scientific studies.

Whether the projects are about producing honey for five-star hotels as in Paris, or more down-to-earth initiatives, the opportunity to seize those extra benefits as well as improving biodiversity can only be a win-win situation.

Nathan Goode, Partner Energy, Environment & Sustainability