{"id":53326,"date":"2025-01-22T08:53:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T08:53:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.dk\/services\/water-energy-and-industry\/biodiversity\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T13:15:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T13:15:49","slug":"biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.dk\/en\/services\/water-energy-and-industry\/biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Biodiversitet\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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Biodiversity<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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At Sweco, our ambition is to be at the forefront of the green transition in all the markets in which we operate. Through our customers\u2019 projects, we contribute to enhancing biodiversity in many different ways, each time customized to local opportunities and the builder’s wishes.<\/p>\n

When we consider biodiversity from the beginning, by preserving and developing habitats for all the life forms that make up an area’s biodiversity, we can add value to our customers’ projects \u2013 and it does not have to be expensive.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Documenting your biodiversity efforts<\/h5>\n

Companies in the EU will soon include biodiversity in their financial accounts, documenting their impact on biodiversity as part of the ESG\/sustainability reporting outlined in the CSRD (EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). Our experts will help you get there.<\/p>\n

In addition, we advise on how to integrate SBTN (Science-based targets for nature) into your project, how to achieve DGNB Planet certification and fulfill the requirements of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.<\/p>\n

We will help you stay at the cutting edge with a clear strategy for your biodiversity efforts, and we can document them to ensure compliance with the new EU ESG accounting requirements.\u00a0Our experts specialise in both green and blue biodiversity solutions, helping optimise conditions for insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mosses, lichens, fungi, and wild plants \u2013 while also creating new engaging and recreational urban spaces and landscapes.<\/p>\n

At the same time, planting and enhancing biodiversity are important tools in our use of nature-based solutions (NBS), helping prepare our cities, coasts and communities for future extreme weather events such as torrential rains, storms, rising sea levels, and extreme heat.<\/p>\n

The total biodiversity footprint of a building<\/h5>\n

At Sweco, we also have the expertise to provide clients with an overview of the building’s total biodiversity footprint and identify which parts of the building have the greatest impact. This is an important step towards more responsible construction, with greater respect for nature.<\/p>\n

We begin by conducting the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in accordance with the climate requirements of the current Danish building regulations (Bygningsreglementet, BR18). In this way, we calculate the impact of the construction on the surrounding biodiversity, i.e., \u2018on-site\u2019, as well as the biodiversity impact of the building’s energy consumption and the production of the materials used, i.e., \u2018off-site\u2019.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Meet our experts<\/h3>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\"Christine

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Christine Collin<\/h5>\n

Head of Sustainability<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018We now have the knowledge and tools needed to measure the biodiversity footprint of buildings on-site at the construction site \u2013 but also off-site throughout the lifecycle of the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is particularly important to me that we realise the huge environmental impact off-site that we see in material production and operational energy. I hope it will help builders focus their biodiversity efforts where they matter most, resulting in buildings that are as beneficial for nature as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It will be the key to achieving the global biodiversity goals by 2030\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"Carina

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Carina Rosenbech<\/h5>\n

Landscape architect and team leader of Urban planning and Landscape<\/p>\n

To succeed with a biodiversity initiative, the project must fulfill three (often-overlooked) criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n

We need to ensure that the soil conditions support the plants and trees we want to grow. Otherwise, we risk having a negative impact on the landscape and surrounding nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The contractor must be well-prepared for the planning and design of this \u2013 they need to understand the geology, landscape strategies, and other green concepts behind the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

Landscape management is of utmost importance. If we manage the landscape with herbicides, control it with lawnmowers, or use excessive salt for deicing, we destroy biodiversity.\u201d The operations manager must be thoroughly informed about the purpose of the project.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"Nikolaj

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Nikolaj Sass Ebsen<\/h5>\n

Biologist<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all realising that the biodiversity crisis is real, and that we can actually act on it and make a difference. We still have lots of precious nature and fascinating species that we must protect and preserve.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Let us, therefore, incorporate the expertise of biologists into urban renewal and construction projects, so we can create sustainable solutions that, for example, suit the soil type and native species.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, we shouldn’t clear an area to create new biodiversity, if we can support the nature that is already there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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A multidisciplinary approach to biodiversity<\/h5>\n

Biodiversity is a discipline that requires multidisciplinary expertise. Sweco has some of the country’s best experts with vast knowledge of both plants and animals. Our biologists carry out screenings and in close dialogue with the customer, our landscape architects use this knowledge as a design parameter for landscape projects in cities, residential areas, squares and parks.<\/p>\n

In addition to our biologists and landscape architects, our sustainability specialists, geologists and water engineers ensure that we can advise on all kinds of biodiversity projects. This interdisciplinary collaboration systematically collects, disseminates, and incorporates knowledge into our clients’ projects.<\/p>\n

CSRD and ESRS compliance<\/h5>\n

Biodiversity is a key focus in sustainability reporting under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Companies must document their impact on biodiversity and the initiatives they have implemented to preserve and enhance biodiversity. At Sweco, we can help you integrate biodiversity into your sustainability reporting and document your efforts in this area.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Some of our biodiversity services<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\t\tBiodiversity screening and analysis\t\t<\/i>\n\t<\/h3>\t
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By mapping the existing biological condition in and around a project area, such as existing natural areas, new developments, parks, and along roads, we create a knowledge base and ensure the best possible conservation and development of biodiversity. We can perform the biodiversity screening at different levels.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\t\tOther services\t\t<\/i>\n\t<\/h3>\t
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Development of biodiversity policies and action plans<\/p>\n

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Preparation of aftercare plans following extraction of raw materials<\/p>\n

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Establishment of dispersal corridors to create large coherent areas<\/p>\n

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Education and communication about biodiversity for operational staff, schools, caretakers, and others.<\/p>\n

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Integration of biodiversity considerations into climate projects<\/p>\n

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Screening of afforestation projects<\/p>\n

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Rainwater management<\/p>\n

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Landfill \u2013 change of use and nature restoration<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\t\tBiodiversity and physical planning\t\t<\/i>\n\t<\/h3>\t
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Physical planning has a significant impact on future opportunities to enhance biodiversity. The planning includes land use, urban structures, the location of facilities and functions, transport patterns, coastal protection, as well as management of floods and heavy rainfalls. Through physical planning, our urban planning specialists establish the framework for nature and green spaces \u2013 from large-scale green structures, dispersal corridors, and wildlife passages to the design of shared open spaces and recreational areas. <\/p>\n

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We also work with design solutions where rainwater is visible and contributes to increased biodiversity, nature experiences and recreational opportunities for urban users.<\/p>\n

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L\u00e6s mere om vores arbejde med byplanl\u00e6gning her<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\t\tBiofactor evaluation of your project\t\t<\/i>\n\t<\/h3>\t
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Biofactors provide a measure of the extent of an area’s green elements in relation to its size. By incorporating roof surfaces, facades, and rear walls \u2013 and by making surfaces accessible to vegetation and water flow \u2013 it is possible to achieve high biofactor values, even in the densest urban areas. We will assist with a biofactor evaluation for your project area, which is also useful when setting specific goals. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\t\tThe development of nature quality and biodiversity on existing land\t\t<\/i>\n\t<\/h3>\t
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Der er et stort uudnyttet potentiale for at styrke biodiversiteten ved at arbejde strategisk med eksisterende arealer omkring f.eks. private virksomheder, offentlige institutioner, i parker, langs veje, ved kirker, ejerforeninger, boligforeninger, haver, landbrugsejendomme, efter r\u00e5stofudvinding.<\/p>\n

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Vi hj\u00e6lper ogs\u00e5 med at vurdere naturpotentialer ved opk\u00f8b af arealer, der skal omdannes til natur, og vi har desuden stor ekspertise i at udarbejde plejeplaner for eksisterende naturomr\u00e5der.<\/p>\n

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Udvikling af eksisterende arealer giver mere oplevelsesrige omgivelser og uderum, som mennesker tiltr\u00e6kkes af og trives i \u2013 og Indsatserne kan med fordel indg\u00e5 i ESG-rapportering<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\t\tCalculating the biodiversity footprint over the lifecycle of a building\t\t<\/i>\n\t<\/h3>\t
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We help give clients an overview of the overall biodiversity footprint of the building and which parts of the building have the greatest impact. We calculate the impact of the construction on the surrounding biodiversity, i.e., \u2018on-site\u2019, as well as the biodiversity impact of the building’s energy consumption, and the production of the materials used, i.e., \u2018off-site\u2019. We calculate the impact of the construction on the surrounding biodiversity, i.e., \u2018on-site\u2019, as well as the biodiversity impact of the building’s energy consumption, and the production of the materials used, i.e., \u2018off-site\u2019.<\/p>\n

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. S\u00e5 kontakt Christine Collin, Afdelingschef for B\u00e6redygtighed christine.collin@sweco.dk<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Louise
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Louise Skytte Clausen<\/p> Director \/ Climate, Environment & Sustainability<\/em>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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