Biodiversity | Consultancy and tailored solutions

Biodiversity is crucial to maintain our environment and holds a central position in EU legislation such as CSRD and the EU Taxonomy, thus placing it at the very top of the sustainability agenda for companies, researchers, consumers, and politicians alike. At NIRAS, we have extensive experience with nature and biodiversity. We support in asking the right questions and finding the answers to these, while we advise in all tasks related to mapping, assessing and advancing biodiversity

Biodiversity is under pressure both globally and locally. With the right measures and considerations, it is possible to reduce the negative impact we as humans leave on nature and biodiversity.

Our skilled advisers are specialists in creating tailor-made solutions to preserve and restore biodiversity. Whether it's habitat restoration, nature monitoring, landscape biodiversity plan development, or something else entirely, we are eager to work with you.

EU reporting requirements, CSRD, and EU taxonomy

A wide range of actors are showing an increasing interest in working with biodiversity – private companies, municipalities, utility companies, among others. They aim to reduce their own impact on the environment while contributing to a positive development.

This is further exacerbated by the upcoming reporting requirements from EU – CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and the EU Taxonomy. These new legislations require companies to document how their activities, locally as well as in their value chain, impacts biodiversity (among many other areas).

Development of nature-positive business models for biodiversity

We assist companies with the development of a nature-positive business model, where the impact on biodiversity can be turned from negative to neutral (No Net Loss - NNL) or even to a positive impact on biodiversity (Net Biodiversity Gain - NBG).

The basis for this is a mapping of the company's impact on biodiversity, followed by a specific strategy and actions promoting biodiversity to an extent that corresponds to the impact (NNL) or even leads to a positive impact (NBG).

What must companies include in their annual report under ESRS-E4?

How the company will adapt its business model and strategy so that it can be operated within the planetary boundaries and contribute to international goals, such as the EU's biodiversity strategy and CBD-COP 15.
How the company measures and reports impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, both at its own locations and in the value chain.
How the company plans to prevent and mitigate actual or potential negative impacts, what measures the company initiates, and how the company measures the impact.
What measures are being initiated to protect and restore biodiversity and ecosystems.

We advise in all things biodiversity

Our advice within biodiversity includes, among other things, the following:

• Mapping and assessment of nature and biodiversity (conventional methods, eDNA, remote sensing, etc.)

• Mapping of invasive species, for example with remote sensing

• Biodiversity plans and biodiversity strategies

• Documentation for CSRD reporting

• Collection of data as a basis for documenting impact on biodiversity (e.g. in connection with certification DGNB, LEED, BREAM)

• Nature restoration and replacement nature (e.g. streams, lakes, coastal areas)

• Wetland projects

• Operation and care plans

• Landscape plans with a focus on biodiversity

• Biodiversity impact assessment:

in construction projects and at production facilities ("on site")
in supply chains
in case of new construction on undeveloped areas ("green field")
in the case of renovation and new construction on previously built-up areas ("brown field")

Biodiversity and ecosystems in CSRD - ESRS E4

ESRS E4 is the CSRD standard for reporting on biodiversity and ecosystems.

The standard applies to all companies that are subject to CSRD, if the company's activities significantly affect or depend on biodiversity and/or ecosystems.

It is based on the best available scientific evidence and international frameworks, such as IPBES (the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) and CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity).

Sustainability analyses in nature projects

At NIRAS, we are competent in sustainability analyses which are often closely linked to nature projects – for examples in relation to climate accounts.

Our modern society is faced with an ever-growing challenge: to preserve and protect our nature, while at the same time upholding our desire for development, growth, and a green transition.

This dilemma requires a careful balancing of economic, social, and environmental factors, which is where sustainability analyses in nature projects are crucial.

A sustainability analysis is a tool that allows us to evaluate the consequences of our actions on nature and the society around us. In nature projects, these analyses play a decisive role in documenting the extent of the company's impact on nature and biodiversity towards the nature-positive business model that respects both ecosystems and human needs.