Boosting Urban Green Infrastructure through Biodiversity-Oriented Design of Business Premises

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems are among the EU's most significant environmental challenges. One of the main drivers for biodiversity loss is change of land use and land take. Some 80 % of land in the EU is built on or used for agriculture, forestry or industry. The resulting fragmentation of ecosystems has a negative impact on their condition and their ability to provide us with services. Traffic networks, intensive agricultural monocultures and industrial zones contribute to the isolation of habitats and species.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and the national strategies of Member States envisage a role for private enterprise in stopping biodiversity loss. In particular, by converting buildings into biodiversity-oriented premises (BOP), companies can turn their real estate into green infrastructure that acts as a stepping stone between ecosystems, provides (temporary or permanent) habitats for fauna and flora, helps with climate change mitigation and adaptation, and improves the water cycle and soil quality.

More information needs to be made available to the private sector to show that BOP is a simple way for companies to start supporting biodiversity.

OBJECTIVES

LIFE BooGI-BOP aims to boost biodiversity at the local level by making companies more aware of its importance and motivated to take action. It will also sensitise and motivate architects, landscape planners and gardeners to promote biodiversity-oriented design of premises and help to mainstream BOP in Europe. The project will set up a monitoring system to evaluate the development and impact of BOP within companies and at national level. It will also establish a Europe-wide network to promote biodiversity-oriented real estate in at least six EU countries.

LIFE BooGI-BOP will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 – especially Target 2 which aims to ensure that “by 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems”. The creation of green roofs and other green infrastructure supports the implementation of EU policy on climate protection and energy efficiency.

Expected results:

Some 20 % of the 21 000 large companies in Germany, Austria, Spain and Slovakia informed about BOP. Some 500 companies are expected to express an interest and at least 100 will implement BOP measures;

Some 20 000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the four countries informed about BOP, leading to intense contact with 100 SMEs, of which 50 will implement BOP measures;

Two companies with more than 50 sites to have started implementing BOP into real estate management and five more will initiate the process;

Assessment of 84 premises and some 200 ha of BOP created;

Sensitisation of at least 1 000 facilities managers, with 10% introducing BOP measures;

Sensitisation of some 1 600 architects with 10% indicating that they will consider BOP in their future projects;

Some 5 000 local authorities informed about the creation of five BOP industrial zones;

More than 350 business associations and nearly 200 chambers of commerce in the two countries inform their members about BOP;

Establishment of a Europe-wide network to promote BOP, involving at least 20 organisations in six EU Member States, with BOP focal points in all six countries;

EU policymakers to consider the results of the project in their reviews of policy. processes.