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Story 23 Jan, 2025

IUCN and Holcim release report on Catalysing Biodiversity on Buildings

The new report proposes a technical framework and recommendations for cities to integrate nature into their building regulations and urban planning policies. This is part of an ongoing work for nature and biodiversity protection, as well as Nature-based Solutions in built ecosystems.

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In the framework of The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, IUCN, Holcim and Second Nature Ecology and Design launched a new publication on biodiversity at the building scale in 8 European cities, titled Catalysing biodiversity on buildings.

Eight European cities reviewed

The report outlines an overview of initiatives from leading global cities relevant to biodiversity at the building scale, as well as a more in-depth review of the cross-section of relevant initiatives in eight European cities, namely Barcelona, Spain; Berlin, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; London, United Kingdom; Madrid, Spain; Milan, Italy; Paris, France, and Zurich, Switzerland.

A set of measures assessed

This scale includes green roofs and walls, measures to safeguard wildlife against building hazards like reflective surfaces, and special resources such as nesting boxes and refuge for pollinators. The focus on the building scale is intended to highlight measures that include living architecture, prioritisation of native species, and wildlife-friendly building approaches. The report also highlights how such measures improve human health and well-being, community resilience, and social cohesion.

A series of reports published as part of Holcim-IUCN three-year collaboration

In addition to the realization of the report, throughout the first year of the collaboration, the partners collaborated in the production of documents and knowledge products on regenerative built environments. In particular, IUCN acted as contributor in the report Unleashing a Regenerative Revolution for the Built Environment, released by Holcim and Systemiq, as well as the Exploring Nature Positive Buildings, a document authored by ARUP and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development. The report translates global nature-positive approaches into key actions for real estate developers and building designers, as influential stakeholders operating in the built environment.

IUCN and Holcim's joint work has been widely promoted at international events on nature and biodiversity conservation, such as the New York Climate Week, the IUCN Leaders Forum, CBD COP16 and the World Urban Forum. These conferences constituted a platform where global audiences were exposed to new biodiversity-friendly approaches in construction and building design.

In the next years, the two partners will deepen their work on circular economy in cities for nature and biodiversity protection, as well as Nature-based Solutions in built ecosystems.

 

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