Amelia Woodley is executive ESG director at Speedy Hire
The construction sector has been historically responsible for significant damage caused to biodiversity and nature, with built environments accounting for nearly 30 per cent of biodiversity loss globally. Considering that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on earth, we must recognise our role in this issue and our duty to act swiftly to halt and reverse the damage caused.
“Transparency around progress towards achieving nature-positive goals is essential”
Positive change is already in progress, with many businesses focusing on minimising their direct and indirect impact on nature in the first instance, followed by identifying credible offsetting options to move in the right direction. As part of the Environment Act 2021, it is now mandatory for most new developments seeking planning permission to deliver a minimum Biodiversity Net Gain of 10 per cent, resulting in more or better-quality natural habitat than before development. Major industry bodies are also taking a leadership role regarding biodiversity, such as the Construction Industry Council launching its Biodiversity Roadmap for the sector earlier this year.
Collaboration and transparency for positive solutions
To make effective and lasting change, the industry must work together to successfully further mitigate and reduce its impact on the natural world. This requires collaboration throughout the entire value chain to ensure cross-industry knowledge sharing on best practice and necessary processes to protect biodiversity. Initiatives such as Nature Positive by 2030 enable companies to work towards a common goal, setting individual targets based on their capabilities to achieve this commitment.
In setting nature-positive targets, it is imperative to first measure a company’s impact on nature across its value chain. This helps identify the most significant impacts and those most material to a business. After establishing this baseline for targets, KPIs must be developed to ensure proper implementation.
The first critical steps should be focused on avoiding and reducing impacts on nature, including staff awareness sessions on the issue and how they can support, creating ‘green areas’ on building sites, using eco-friendly materials, and waste reduction initiatives. Restoration projects that aim to improve damaged areas of wildlife are also increasing in popularity.
It is critical that targets and KPIs are measured and reported accurately to track progress. Measurement varies based on the specific action, such as number of attendees at awareness sessions or the amount of waste reduced. Irrespective of the KPI, transparency around progress towards achieving nature-positive goals is essential to drive the meaningful change needed.
This transparency must come from all involved parties, including leading businesses and supply chain partners. As a result of the strong progress in carbon and waste reduction, there is the great opportunity to take learnings in these areas and implement them to focus on and drive improved biodiversity. It is this collective effort that will move the dial in the right direction.
Green skills
Central to the successful delivery of these nature-positive goals is the development of green skills throughout the whole value chain. At present there is an estimated shortage of 200,000 workers needed to fill the projected 400,000 jobs required to effectively deliver the green transition in the UK.
Within the construction industry, workers at all career stages can be upskilled and equipped with the right expertise to support and address nature restoration. Removing barriers to accessing green jobs is crucial, including introducing green certificates and new industry-wide modules, as called for by the CIC in its Biodiversity Roadmap to be delivered by 2028. These initiatives will benefit the entire sector.
Conclusion
Nature positive and net zero go hand in hand when it comes to addressing climate change and this can only be achieved through sector-wide collaboration. Transparency around goals and KPIs is vital to ensuring each step of the value chain is putting biodiversity at the forefront of ESG strategy in a way that is actionable and deliverable.
While the construction industry has a responsibility to reverse the damaged caused to biodiversity, and by developing right strategies and green skills, further loss can be prevented and nature restored.
