As the construction sector increasingly embraces sustainability, biodiversity is also being recognised as a core metric of environmental performance. Certifications for the construction sector like Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) have integrated biodiversity into their assessment criteria, reflecting a growing recognition that the built environment must coexist with, and enhance, natural ecosystems.
At the same time, global reporting frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-Related Disclosure (TNFD), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) are encouraging organisations to disclose their nature-related impacts and dependencies with greater transparency and rigour. Together, these systems are shaping a new standard for biodiversity in construction and real estate.
BREEAM: Biodiversity as a design principle
BREEAM has long incorporated ecology into its certification process. Under its “Land use and Ecology” category, BREEAM encourages projects to understand the ecological value of the site pre-development, minimise ecological disruption during construction, and enhance biodiversity post-development
Key credits include:
• Ecological Risk and Opportunities: Requires an assessment of ecological value and potential risks, ideally conducted by a qualified ecologist.
• Managing Negative Impacts on Ecology: Rewards projects that avoid or mitigate harm to existing habitats.
• Enhancing Site Ecology: Encourages the creation of new habitats, or the improvement of existing ones.
• Long Term Biodiversity Management: Focuses on maintaining ecological features beyond the construction phase.
While specific credit names may vary across BREEAM schemes (e.g. international variants), the underlying principles remain consistent. BREEAM places strong emphasis on baseline ecological surveys, engagement with ecologists, and long-term stewardship, aligning well with TNFD’s emphasis on understanding nature-related dependencies and risks.
LEED: Sustainable Sites and Habitat protection
LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, integrates biodiversity primarily through its “Sustainable Sites” category. Relevant credits include:
• Site Assessment: Encourages evaluation of site conditions including vegetation, water sources, and habitat.
• Protect or Restore Habitat: Rewards projects that conserve existing natural areas or restore degraded habitats.
• Open Space: Incentivises the provision of accessible green space that supports ecological function.
• Rainwater Management: Promotes strategies that mimic natural topology and reduce disruption to local ecosystems.
LEED also supports integrated site design, where ecological considerations are embedded into planning from the outset. While less prescriptive than BREEAM in terms of ecological surveys, LEED aligns with broader sustainability goals and encourages habitat conscious development.
Connecting to TNFD, CSRD, and GRI
The biodiversity components of BREEAM and LEED are increasingly relevant in the context of global disclosure frameworks:
TNFD provides a framework for organisations to assess and disclose their nature-related risks, impacts, and dependencies. It encourages spatial analysis of biodiversity risks, something that ecological assessments under BREEAM and LEED can directly support. Projects that document biodiversity baselines, mitigation strategies, and enhancement plans are better positioned to report under TNFD’s LEAP (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare) approach.
Under the EU’s CSRD, large companies are required to report on environmental impacts, including biodiversity, using the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Construction firms and real estate developers will need to disclose how their activities affect ecosystems, species, and land use. BREEAM and LEED certifications can serve as evidence of biodiversity-conscious practices, especially when backed by credible ecological data and long-term monitoring.
GRI’s Standard 101: Biodiversity 2024 asks organisations to report on:
• Operational sites near protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value
• Significant impacts on biodiversity
• Habitats protected or restored
• Species affected by operations
Construction projects that follow BREEAM or LEED guidance on habitat protection and enhancement can contribute directly to these disclosures. GRI also encourages transparency about mitigation measures and partnerships with conservation organisations.
How IBAT data can support BREEAM and LEED Certification
To meet the growing expectations around biodiversity in construction, organisations need access to reliable, spatially relevant ecological data. Many organisations are already making this move, leveraging globally recognised datasets such as the IUCN Red List, the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas, and the World Database on Protected Areas, as well as framework aligned reports and site assessments.
Detailed biodiversity data strengthens submissions across multiple sections, helping practitioners demonstrate compliance, secure credits, and ensure long-term ecological value.
For BREEAM certification:
· Baseline surveys: Mapping Protected Areas (PAs), Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), and IUCN Red List species provide a clear ecological baseline, enriched through on-site assessments.
· Impact management & mitigation: A Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) built on authoritative data guides effective mitigation strategies to reduce or offset ecological impacts.
· Enhancing ecological value: Identifying biodiversity priorities supports interventions such as green roofs, native planting, or wildlife corridors, aligned with local or national strategies for no net loss or biodiversity net gain.
· Data credibility: With increasing demands for transparency (EU Taxonomy, CSRD), using globally recognised data sources like WDPA (World Database on Protected Areas), IUCN Red List, and WDKBA (World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas) strengthens evidence and investor confidence.
For LEED certification credits:
· Site suitability: Biodiversity data helps projects avoid sensitive habitats, threatened species ranges, or Protected Areas at the site-selection stage.
· Sustainable Sites credits: Practitioners can use metrics such as Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) to target areas with high restoration potential and integrate features that support habitat functionality and connectivity.
· Materials & resources: Understanding supply chain impacts allows teams to avoid sourcing from biodiversity hotspots, reducing risks linked to deforestation and habitat loss.
By providing streamlined access to globally recognised datasets, as well as framework aligned reports and site assessments, IBAT enables construction teams to identify biodiversity risks early, enhance ecological assessments, and generate credible insights for certification and reporting. Whether you're selecting a site, preparing for an environmental audit, or aligning your sustainability strategy with emerging nature-related frameworks, IBAT offers the data and the tools to help you build with biodiversity in mind.
Ready to see how IBAT can support your next project? Book a demonstration with our team and explore how our platform can streamline biodiversity assessments, reduce compliance risk, and help you meet regulatory and certification requirements with confidence. Visit this link to schedule your demo today.
