Championing Biodiversity for Real Estate

As global attention turns to COP16 and the urgent need to protect our planet’s biodiversity, the role of real estate in driving ecological resilience has never been more relevant. The conference will focus on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to transform high-level commitments into concrete actions. In this context, BREEAM’s efforts to integrate biodiversity into the built environment offer a timely example of how businesses can contribute to these global goals. By championing biodiversity in urban spaces and leveraging innovative, nature-based solutions, BREEAM not only improves building performance but also supports broader efforts to preserve ecosystems, aligning with the themes of COP16. 

This connection underscores why now is the time for the real estate sector to deepen its focus on biodiversity as a pillar of sustainability. 

In recognition of this timely and critical discussion, Breana Wheeler, BREEAM’s U.S. Director of Operations, recently joined Noemie Turcotte of  Alvéole in a webinar offering valuable insights into how BREEAM’s certification program elevates buildings’ performance, sustainable impact, and tenant engagement. Throughout the presentation, Breana shed light on the critical role of biodiversity across BREEAM’s family of standards and how nature-based solutions — like Alvéole’s bee programs, which have been implemented at thousands of commercial buildings — can make a significant impact. Key insights from the discussion included:  

1. The Ecological Value of Urban Spaces 

Contrary to the "concrete jungle" narrative, urban environments can still hold significant ecological value. BREEAM emphasizes the importance of understanding and thoughtfully incorporating natural elements into the design and development of assets, which, when done strategically, enhances biodiversity and promotes healthier spaces for people to live and work.  

“Vegetation is great on its own, but that doesn’t always turn a space into a habitat delivering real ecological impact,” Wheeler noted. “BREEAM encourages a deliberate approach to assess how much more can really be done to boost performance.”  

With this in mind, BREEAM has been and remains a proponent of innovative design approaches, such as vertical gardens and green roofs, which can provide habitats for various species while further improving building efficiency and value. In doing so, the focus is not just to plant low-maintenance greenery, but to select plant species that actively support local fauna, strengthening the ecological network in urban settings. 

2. The Importance of Long-Term Planning 

Biodiversity can enrich not only individual buildings but entire neighborhoods, contributing to the development of sustainable ecosystems and thriving habitats over time. For example, pollinators, such as the bees Alvéole uses, play an essential role in supporting ecosystems holistically. 

As shared by Wheeler, “Buildings do not exist in isolation they are connected to other places. What flora and fauna are native, local, and regionally important? How can that be incorporated into an asset? By asking these questions, we can assure biodiversity efforts serve as a value enhancer.”  

For habitat-building solutions to be deployed effectively, building owners and operators must be committed to developing biodiversity action plans that align not only with a specific building site but also with broader regional biodiversity efforts. This interconnectedness is vital for creating sustainable urban environments that support the health and well-being of communities at-large.  

3. Future Directions: BREEAM & Biodiversity 

As frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) gain traction, the role of biodiversity in real estate is becoming a more prominent consideration and factor in decision-making than ever before.  

“Experts across the industry have demonstrated growing interest in how real estate’s approach to biodiversity will evolve over time, particularly as it relates to quantifying its impact,” noted Wheeler. “At BREEAM, clearly we’ve already set a standard that biodiversity matters.” 

Moving forward, making the business case for biodiversity will be essential. “Sustainability requires clarity on value, and that’s not always easy,” explained Wheeler. “As an industry, we need to communicate the business value of biodiversity.” 

As the world’s leading science-based suite of validation and certification systems for the sustainable built environment, BREEAM continues to incentivize performance and mitigate sustainability risks through data and science. However, as Wheeler points out, “we are still going to need, as an industry, much clearer value propositions for biodiversity to reach those who are not sustainability experts.” 

If you missed the webinar, you can view the full recording here, and you can learn more about how BREEAM supports biodiversity here.  

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