The BiodiverCity label: putting biodiversity at the heart of urban projects
In an increasingly urban world where cities’ impact on the environment has become a major concern, factoring biodiversity into urban projects is now more essential than ever. France’s BiodiverCity label is an innovative & proactive response to current environmental challenges, particularly in the commercial real estate sector. It encourages the stakeholders of urban development – general contractors included – to rethink the design of buildings and spaces to improve the quality of city life, while preserving local ecosystems.
“We must give back to nature what we have taken from it – and then some! The true value of the BiodiverCity label in an urban environment lies in the opportunity to deseal the soil, reintroduce green spaces and create new habitats that support biodiversity.”
Anthony Guerard, environmental engineer, GSE
More than 450 operations had been BiodiverCity-labelled or were awaiting the label in 2023. Most of these projects are in the Paris Region (mainly in the suburbs), but the market is also expanding to other major cities – such as Lyon, Lille, and Marseille – and to medium-sized urban centres. The label also has an international reach, with certified projects in Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Singapore, Cuba and East Timor. Accredited environmental assessors also operate in Belgium and Italy. Of the certified projects, 40% are office buildings, 18% are residential projects, 18% are logistics platforms, while the rest include mixed-use buildings, shops and hotels.
By promoting biodiversity in urban environments, the BiodiverCity label contributes to sustainable & resilient urban development.
The BiodiverCity label in brief
The BiodiverCity® label is not a norm, but a technical framework designed to guide and assess real estate projects. This label certifies that the project meets a given level of environmental quality by complying with the requirements defined by the label’s rules. The rating on the logo awarded indicates the level of performance achieved.
BiodiverCity® is a registered trademark belonging to the International Biodiversity Property Council (IBPC), which awards the label after a compliance assessment carried out by an independent auditor.
This label applies to various types of construction and renovation projects in the industrial, logistics or service sectors. It assesses a project’s impact on biodiversity and helps to implement concrete solutions to protect and promote it, even in urban areas.
How can biodiversity be designed into the construction process?
The science of biodiversity, called scientific ecology, is studied and practiced by ecologists and environmental engineers. Environmental engineering aims to develop functional systems such as ecosystems, plant dynamics, phytobiology, soil formation and animal populations. These systems, even where they are implanted or seeded, tend to become partially autonomous.
Preserving and developing biodiversity requires maintenance planning, through a process known as the landscape and ecological management plan (LEMP). This plan includes specific obligations regarding vegetation maintenance and the regulation of some animal species. Biodiversity management is carried out according to specific objectives, decided or negotiated with the stakeholders.
The challenge here lies in the relationship between nature and the city’s residents & users. Through the BiodiverCity label, environmental engineers aim to create an accessible, functional and resilient nature. To this end, they work closely with the projects’ architects. Within GSE’s Green Buildings department, the environmental engineer’s initial mission is to carry out a biodiversity survey of the site, then to continuously improve the project’s biodiversity profile by implementing relevant, effective and consistent measures.
The biodiversity survey produces recommendations to foster biodiversity in the project and to reduce its potential impact on nature. The environmental engineer continues to play an advisory role throughout the design phase.
Why is biodiversity important for commercial real estate projects?
Urban areas have a significant impact on biodiversity. The focus is usually on the negative: reduced green space, pollution, heat islands, fragmented natural habitats, etc. In the commercial real estate sector, integrating biodiversity into projects addresses several challenges:
- Smaller environmental footprint: BiodiverCity-labelled buildings are designed to limit their impact, for example by reducing their energy consumption.
- Sustainable & pleasant living environment: by integrating natural elements in urban areas, these projects help to create healthier environments for employees and residents, while reducing stress and improving air quality.
- Project reputation and investor appeal: the BiodiverCity label is becoming a major asset to attract investors that are committed to sustainable development.
- Regulatory compliance and public expectations: legal requirements and the sustainability expectations of stakeholders, particularly local authorities and citizens, are increasingly strict. Obtaining this label helps meet current & future standards.
Integrating biodiversity into industrial and logistics projects
For a general contractor operating in sectors such as industry, logistics, the services or data centres, the integration of biodiversity may seem like a challenge. However, it is largely achievable through several strategies:
- Green roofs & facades: buildings can have green roofs, green walls, as well as green spaces in car parks & around infrastructure. These developments provide habitats for wildlife while helping to reduce urban heat islands.
- Rainwater management: implementing solutions such as retention basins or water infiltration systems helps support the local ecosystem while preserving water resources.
- Reduced nighttime lighting: limiting light pollution helps to preserve some nocturnal species.
- Sustainable and local materials: by selecting materials with a low environmental impacts and from short supply chains, we can minimise buildings’ carbon footprint while supporting local biodiversity.
These strategies show how a general contractor can improve biodiversity in its projects, while providing environmental, social and economic benefits.
A model for future projects
With climate & environmental concerns now critical in urban planning, adopting the BiodiverCity label in commercial real estate projects demonstrates a responsible approach and anticipation of future standards. Investors, companies and local authorities are now looking for solutions that combine economic performance, respect for the environment and user wellbeing.
For a general contractor in the field of commercial real estate, obtaining the BiodiverCity label is a strategic asset. It makes it possible to meet regulatory and social expectations while strengthening a project’s competitiveness. By contributing to the creation of sustainable and resilient cities, the label paves the way for more pleasant and environmentally responsible urban environments.
Key points
- Cost: expect to spend between €3,000 and €10,000 on labelling fees, on top of the €20,000 to €50,000 for the audit of the assessor (accredited by the IBPC).
- Autonomy: it is mandatory to call on the services of an independent IBPC-accredited biodiversity expert, who will act as a specialised project manager, advisor and evaluator.
- Duration of labeling process: listing all the indicators required to obtain the label takes on average between 6 months and 1 year.
- Levels: projects can be certified to different levels: basic, high-performance or excellent.
- Assessment: includes a self-assessment, an assessment by an accredited environmental engineer, and an audit by an independent third party.
The BiodiverCity label is a powerful tool for rethinking urban developments by integrating biodiversity into all our industrial, logistics and services sector projects. As a general contractor, we play a key role in this transformation, supporting our clients in the implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions that meet both financial and environmental requirements. This model delivers real value in the commercial real estate sector, which is increasingly focused on combining operational and environmental performance.
The BiodiverCity label can complement mainstream international certificates such as HQE, BREEAM and LEED. For example, the BiodiverCity® performance tables, organised by targets, issues and criteria that are similar to those of the HQE™ standard, are simpler for stakeholders to adopt. Combined with the broader certificates, the BiodiverCity® label places a stronger focus on biodiversity.
