Increasing measures to support consideration of biodiversity


Construction affects soil, vegetation and animal habitats. When biodiversity is considered already in the early design phase, adverse impacts can be reduced and nature values preserved.

Construction-related impacts on nature also arise from materials, as many of them are sourced from nature. For this reason, material choices and procurement requirements are one way to consider biodiversity in construction projects.

How biodiversity is considered in practice

In line with our Sustainability Policy, we aim to avoid construction in areas where significant nature values have been identified.

We use project baseline information, such as nature studies related to zoning, to understand local nature values. If baseline data reveals nature values to consider, we assess how to include them in project design.  Solutions are adapted to the project’s starting points.

In practice, this may include:

  • considering nature values in design based on zoning data, authority sources and other project baseline information
  • reviewing green and stormwater solutions as part of design
  • designing yards and green areas so that they support local vegetation and urban nature (e.g. diverse and pollinator-friendly plantings and green roofs)
  • site practices aiming to minimise construction-phase impacts on the environment (e.g. protecting trees or relocating them to a new growing site)

Example project

At the Wigge school campus in Kirkkonummi, nature values guided the entire yard design. The yard includes, for example, meadows, a wetland that infiltrates stormwater, green roofs, natural stone areas and insect hotels.

Read more about Wigge in Finnish

Monitoring and assessment

We monitor biodiversity-related aspects, for example by reviewing whether our projects are located in previously undeveloped areas and near protected areas or other areas of high nature value. Monitoring provides an overall view of how our projects are situated in different environments.

Did you know?

Conservation of biodiversity can be measured by using the green factor tool in the planning. It can also ensure the preservation of different green spaces when cities become denser.  The use of the tool can affect, for example, the amount of new and preserved vegetation.

Principles guiding our work

SDG Goals