DF-9 - Biodiversity and Sustainable Construction

 

Biodiversity and Sustainable Construction in Today's Modern World

The intersection of biodiversity and sustainable construction has become a critical area of focus in our modern world, driven by increasing awareness of environmental degradation and the urgent need for ecological balance. The construction industry, a significant contributor to habitat loss and resource depletion, is increasingly recognizing its responsibility to integrate biodiversity considerations into its practices. This has spurred innovative research, development of new materials and techniques, and a growing body of literature exploring how the built environment can not only minimize its negative impacts but also actively contribute to biodiversity enhancement.  

Here are some of the best articles that delve into the crucial aspects of biodiversity and sustainable construction in today's context, offering valuable insights and perspectives:

1. "Biodiversity is Key to Building a Sustainable Future for All" - United Nations (2021)

This article, authored by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the then Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, underscores the fundamental link between biodiversity and sustainable development. It highlights how the COVID-19 crisis served as a wake-up call, emphasizing that our deteriorating relationship with nature increases the risk of future pandemics. The piece argues that effective biodiversity policies, including within the construction sector, are crucial for reducing such risks.

 

The article emphasizes the need for bold, interdependent actions across various fronts, including conserving and restoring ecosystems and transforming production and consumption patterns. Nature-based solutions are presented as having the potential to lift millions out of poverty and add trillions to the global economy while mitigating climate change. It stresses the importance of integrated and holistic approaches in planning and implementation, involving collaboration across government ministries, economic sectors, and society.  

Salient Observations:

• Biodiversity is fundamental for human health and sustainable development.  
• Sustainable construction practices are vital for mitigating biodiversity loss caused by habitat degradation.  
• Nature-based solutions in construction can offer significant economic and environmental benefits.  
• Collaborative and integrated approaches are necessary to achieve biodiversity conservation in the built environment.  

2. "3 ways sustainable construction can forge a greener future" - World Economic Forum (2022)

This insightful article identifies three key areas where the construction sector can evolve its practices to become more resilient, protect the environment, and build a sustainable future. One of these critical areas is biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse.

The article points out that infrastructure development bears a serious responsibility for the unprecedented fragility of our natural ecosystems, with around one million animal and plant species threatened with extinction. It highlights that biodiversity loss amounts to a 10% loss of output to the global economy each year. The piece emphasizes the necessity for the construction sector to support urban development models that are in harmony with biodiversity, especially considering that nearly 70% of the world's population is projected to live in cities by 2050. It advocates for ambitious designs that embed nature into new and upgraded infrastructure within urban environments.

Salient Observations:

• The construction sector is a major contributor to biodiversity loss.  
• Integrating nature into urban infrastructure is crucial for supporting biodiversity in cities.  
• Sustainable construction must prioritize the protection and enhancement of natural ecosystems.  

3. "Biodiversity and decarbonization: A symbiotic relationship in the built environment" - GRESB (2024)  

This article explores the critical intersection of biodiversity and decarbonization within the built environment. It argues that these two agendas are not mutually exclusive but rather intrinsically linked and should be addressed through comprehensive and integrated approaches.

The article explains how the expansion of urbanization, driven by construction, leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, significantly impacting biodiversity. Citing the WWF's Living Planet Report 2022, it notes that land-use changes, including urban development, are responsible for over 69% of global biodiversity loss since 1970. Furthermore, it discusses how building operations contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn exacerbate climate change, posing a severe threat to biodiversity through rising temperatures and altered habitats.  

The piece advocates for using sustainable, low-carbon materials, highlighting wood as a carbon-negative option. It also emphasizes the role of nature-based solutions in urban design, such as green roofs and living walls, which can enhance local biodiversity while sequestering carbon and reducing the urban heat island effect.

Salient Observations:

• Urbanization and construction are significant drivers of biodiversity loss.  
• Decarbonizing buildings through energy efficiency and low-carbon materials can indirectly benefit biodiversity by mitigating climate change.
• Nature-based solutions in building design can directly enhance biodiversity in urban environments.  
• Integrated approaches addressing both biodiversity and decarbonization are essential for a sustainable built environment.  

4. "Mitigating the Impact of Construction on Biodiversity and Ecosystems" - EUTECH – Construction Council (2025)

This article summarizes key insights from a webinar focused on the urgent need for sustainable practices within the construction industry to mitigate its impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. It outlines several key challenges posed by construction activities, including habitat loss and fragmentation, soil degradation and erosion, water pollution and overexploitation, climate change amplification, and the neglect of natural water cycles.  

The article emphasizes that construction activities, particularly urban expansion, are responsible for nearly 30% of global biodiversity loss. It highlights the damaging effects of construction runoff on aquatic life and the depletion of water resources for construction processes.  

The piece also presents solutions aligned with ESRS E4 standards, such as nature and species protection, soil protection and erosion control, sustainable water management, and carbon footprint reduction. It advocates for environmental planning, wildlife habitat assessment, managing construction runoff through green infrastructure, and adopting comprehensive biodiversity plans.

Salient Observations:

• Construction has a significant negative impact on biodiversity through various pathways.  
• Sustainable construction practices are crucial for minimizing these impacts and enhancing ecosystem resilience.  
• Nature-based solutions and adherence to environmental standards are key to biodiversity conservation in construction.

5. "Catalysing biodiversity on buildings - A review of supporting initiatives in European cities" - IUCN (2025)

This report reviews initiatives in European cities that support biodiversity at the building scale. It highlights the increasing recognition of cities as important landscapes for biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity. The report emphasizes the potential of cities to lessen per capita environmental footprints and nurture climate-resilient ecosystems.

The focus is on measures implemented within individual building structures, including green roofs and walls, wildlife-friendly design to safeguard against building hazards, and the provision of resources like nesting boxes and pollinator refuges. The report explores regulations, incentives, and technical guidance employed by leading global cities to integrate nature and biodiversity into the building fabric.  

Salient Observations:

• Cities play a crucial role in halting global biodiversity loss.  
• Buildings can be designed to actively support and enhance urban biodiversity.  
• Green roofs and walls, wildlife-friendly features, and native species prioritization are key strategies for biodiversity-friendly buildings.  
• Regulations and incentives from municipal governments are driving the integration of nature into the built environment.

6. "How Green Buildings Can Preserve Biodiversity of Wildlife and Natural Habitats" - Green Design Consulting (2022)

This article outlines various strategies that can be implemented in green building practices to preserve the biodiversity of wildlife and natural habitats. It emphasizes the importance of considering the biodiversity of the surrounding areas during project planning to avoid endangering native species and ecosystems.  

The article discusses the need to analyze the site and landscape beforehand to plan projects that take into account existing species and critical life cycles. It advocates for mitigating the intensity and duration of pollution during all stages of a building's lifecycle and preserving ecological connectivity by using green infrastructure.  

The piece also highlights the potential of green roofs to offer new habitats for plants and insects and the importance of using native plants in landscaping (xeriscaping) to improve local biodiversity.

Salient Observations:

• Green building practices can significantly contribute to biodiversity preservation.  
• Site analysis and consideration of local ecosystems are crucial in construction planning.  
• Minimizing pollution, preserving ecological connectivity, and incorporating green roofs and native landscaping are effective strategies.  

7. "From the Outside in - Buildings and Biodiversity" - WWF Australia (2025)  

This comprehensive report explores the multiple pathways through which buildings impact biodiversity, both directly (habitat destruction at construction sites) and indirectly (supply chains, occupancy, demolition). It highlights the crucial need for a fundamental shift in how we conceive, design, construct, and operate our built environments to achieve nature-positive outcomes.  

The report identifies key barriers to implementing biodiversity-sensitive practices, including limited awareness, perceived high costs, knowledge gaps, and opaque supply chains. It offers 27 recommendations organized under five major themes, including reducing threats to nature, understanding and working with local ecosystems, designing for nature, managing construction impacts, and creating supportive policy environments.

Salient Observations:

• Buildings have significant and multifaceted impacts on biodiversity throughout their lifecycle.  
• A fundamental shift towards nature-positive building practices is essential.
• Addressing barriers like awareness, cost perceptions, and knowledge gaps is crucial for widespread adoption.
• Integrating biodiversity considerations across all stages of the building lifecycle and fostering collaboration are key recommendations.

Conclusion

These articles collectively paint a picture of a growing recognition within the construction industry of its profound impact on biodiversity and the urgent need for sustainable practices. They showcase innovative approaches, highlight key challenges, and offer valuable recommendations for integrating biodiversity considerations into the built environment. As our understanding of ecological interconnectedness deepens and the pressures of urbanization and climate change intensify, the principles and practices discussed in these articles will become increasingly vital for creating a truly sustainable and biodiverse future. The integration of ecological principles into architectural and construction practices is not just an environmental imperative but a crucial step towards ensuring the long-term health and resilience of both our built and natural worlds.

 

Reference :

Nature and construction: A symbiotic relationship for the future - https://www.ingwb.com/en/insights/campaigns/sustainable-transformation/nature-and-construction-a-symbiotic-relationship-for-the-future

Mitigating the Impact of Construction on Biodiversity and Ecosystems - https://eutech.org/mitigating-the-impact-of-construction-on-biodiversity-and-ecosystems/

What are Nature-based Solutions - https://nature4climate.org/natures-solutions/nature-based-solutions-faq/