AP Ejendomme, Pension Danmark Ejendomme, and the Planetary Responsibility Foundation are teaming up to establish measurement methods for assessing the construction sector’s impact on biodiversity, with a specific focus on impacts across the entire value chain. The aim is to create a shared standard for the construction industry.

AP Ejendomme, PensionDanmark Ejendomme, and the Planetary Responsibility Foundation have recently received a grant of DKK 1.1 million from the philanthropic association Realdania for an ambitious project co-funded by the three partners with matching contributions. Currently, both knowledge and tools are lacking in this area, and there are no common frameworks or methods. As a result, developers, contractors, and suppliers measure and monitor their impact in widely different ways.

Peter Olsson, CEO of AP Ejendomme, believes that the project can help establish a shared reference point that can contribute to the entire construction sector advancing more quickly in efforts to reduce its negative impact on biodiversity:

“For us as a developer, an industry standard would be a valuable tool for measuring, reducing, and communicating our impact on biodiversity. At the same time, I believe that a common model can help increase both the pace and the level of ambition across the construction industry. Voluntary efforts can take us far, but I also believe it would serve as an additional catalyst if political requirements and frameworks were introduced to ensure that we compete on equal terms.”

The project aims to develop a methodology for measuring the total impact of construction on biodiversity that the entire sector can use.

Mia Manghezi, Project Development Director at PensionDanmark Ejendomme, emphasizes the importance of integrating biodiversity into construction:

“It is crucial for both nature and the industry to integrate biodiversity into construction. Many are already well underway with this work, but as an industry, we need shared frameworks if we are to ensure a significant positive effect on biodiversity across the entire value chain while also creating value for our business and members.”

Companies must document impact across the entire value chain

Preliminary calculations indicate that up to 90% of the total biodiversity impact of construction lies within the value chain. Therefore, the construction industry needs concrete measurement methods to help key players take responsibility and reduce not only their own impact but also that of their suppliers and partners.

Jens Böhme, CEO of the Planetary Responsibility Foundation, highlights overlooked aspects:

“Efforts to address biodiversity in construction and urban development have so far focused on projects’ local impact on nature, where many developers are actively working to enhance the quality of green spaces. However, the biodiversity impacts within the value chain, such as from the production of building materials and energy for building operations, have been overlooked. This makes no sense when the construction and civil engineering sector plays a key role in global biodiversity impacts with its significant resource consumption.”  

Partnership and timeline

During the project, the partnership will draw on knowledge and advice from various collaborators, including Sweco, Oiko, Concito, Aaen Engineering, and Upstream Partners. The partnership expects to present the results within the next year.

Facts about the project:

• Project participants: AP Ejendomme (a subsidiary of AP Pension), PensionDanmark Ejendomme, and the Planetary Responsibility Foundation.

• Funding: The project has received a grant of DKK 1.1 million from the philanthropic association Realdania.

• Primary target group: Danish professional developers and investors who are well-positioned to set requirements for the design and biodiversity impact of future construction projects.

• Objective: To create a foundation and set guidelines for how organizations and companies can implement biodiversity efforts to reduce global impacts.

• Outcome: A shared industry standard will make it easier to set goals and requirements, thereby increasing the industry’s responsibility.

• Public access: The final reports will be made publicly available online for use in future development and research projects.

• Policy inspiration: The project can also provide inspiration and knowledge for policymakers and interest organizations working on regulations and legislation in the construction sector.

• Duration: The project will run over the course of the coming year.

  Read the press release in Danish here.