• Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
+44 (0)20 3326 7333
EVORA Deutschland
EVORA Italia
EVORA Global
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Work for EVORA
    • Clients and Partnerships
    • EVORA Giving
  • Our Services
    • ESG Strategy
    • Climate Resilience
    • Data Intelligence
    • Smart Buildings
    • Reporting
    • Infrastructure
  • SIERA Software
    • SIERA
    • SIERA+
  • Training Webinars
  • Resources
    • Case Studies
    • Brochures, Guides and Reports
    • Events and Webinars
    • Videos
  • Insights
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Menu

Biodiversity: enhancing the built environment

July 30, 2019/in Sustainability /by Joanna Tomlinson

EVORA support many of our real estate clients to develop sustainability strategies and management systems.  The overriding objective of approaches developed is to establish plans that help our clients understand their impacts, manage risks and, perhaps most importantly, drive performance improvement.  Often, and unsurprisingly we focus on energy, carbon, water and waste.

However, there are wider opportunities. Biodiversity can often be pushed down the agenda.  Real estate owners can develop programmes designed to positively contribute to biodiversity.  As you will see in the rest of my blog, I consider this to be very important.

So what is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity, in simple terms, means the variety of life, in all its forms and at all levels. This ranges from genes to species to ecosystems – everything that collectively forms the biological diversity on Earth.

In short, biodiversity is a good thing.  It is essential in maintaining a healthy environment and therefore, has an impact on our quality of life.

The decline of biodiversity has serious consequences and its protection and enhancement is essential if we are to achieve a sustainable future. We depend on biodiversity for food, health, natural resources and a range of ecosystem services such as air and water purification, soil fertility and plant pollination. Maintaining biodiversity is also crucial to the development and discovery of new medicines.

The variety of life, in all its forms and at all levels. This ranges from genes to species to ecosystems – everything that collectively forms the biological diversity on Earth.

Increasing urbanisation is contributing to the decline of biodiversity due to the loss and division of natural habitats. Providing opportunities for biodiversity in our built environment is one way that it can be protected and enhanced.

Development schemes can utilise a number of approaches including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – a quantitative, stepwise methodology that aims to enhance biodiversity after development. However, we are increasingly being asked for advice on how Biodiversity can be implemented into strategies, by clients who manage standing investment funds.

Several BNG principles are valuable for application to existing real estate assets, notably: to achieve the best outcomes for biodiversity, to optimise sustainability and to be transparent.


Biodiversity in action

Implementation of approaches to support these aims will result in greener, more biodiverse assets that not only offer homes for wildlife but can also provide wider benefits for people, such as improved air quality and health and wellbeing. It also gives asset managers positive news stories to tell and helps to create great places for people to live and work.

So, in simple terms, what can be done?

Real Estate Organisations can raise the profile of biodiversity within the workplace by:

  • Assessing the material risks and opportunities associated with biodiversity across portfolios;
  • Ensuring staff have understood these risks and opportunities;
  • Raise awareness amongst suppliers;
  • Implementing practical approaches – suitable for assets in question. If you are struggling to contextualise, think;
    – Green walls
    – Beehives
    – Indoor and outdoor planting regimes
    – Although many more opportunities exist
  • Report publicly on organisational performance with regards to biodiversity.

Organisations, wishing to progress further can:

  • Develop site-specific Biodiversity Strategies or Action Plans for managed assets, with the aim of achieving enhancements for selected species and/or habitats identified in the Local, Regional or National Biodiversity Action Plan;
  • Incorporate specific biodiversity objectives within asset management plans;
  • Collect biodiversity data e.g. number of plant types considered pollinators;
  • Where handing over the asset to new owners, work to “pass on” commitment to biodiversity at the asset, potentially through a handover manual;
  • Report to local authorities and, where necessary, other bodies, based on the data collected.

Finally, we positively encourage the reporting of progress, through new or existing routes – highlighting positive steps such as:

  • Measures taken to collect biodiversity information;
  • Key Performance Indicators, such as % of assets with Biodiversity Management Plan, % of direct employees with biodiversity awareness training;
  • Records of sightings of endangered/rare/protected species;
  • Reporting on habitats under threat;
  • An account of how and where operations have led to the achievement of targets in Biodiversity Action Plans;
  • Case studies to highlight what has been learnt from biodiversity mitigation and enhancement.

In short, Sustainability is not just about energy, water, waste – Biodiversity often presents an opportunity to progress significant improvements.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/EVORA-blog-biodiversity.jpg 800 1200 Joanna Tomlinson https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/EVORA-logo-for-small-applications-WHITE-300x172.png Joanna Tomlinson2019-07-30 10:32:592020-05-12 10:44:14Biodiversity: enhancing the built environment

EVORA Insights: GRESB and Data Quality

July 29, 2019/in News & Views /by Chris Bennett

Interview with Ragnar Martens, Director IT and Analytics

With GRESB submissions now over for another year, many of us in the industry can breathe a (small) sigh of relief.

EVORA Associate Director, Nick Hogg, took some time to talk with Ragnar Martens, Director IT and Analytics at GRESB about GRESB and data quality.

With ESG influencing ever more investment decisions, it’s more important than ever that stakeholders can continue to rely on the ESG benchmarks they engage with. Listen to Ragnar’s insights on why he thinks it’s incumbent upon participants and data partners to work together to define the standards for reporting and how this could be achieved.

You can watch the full video here:

EVORA is a recognised leader in the provision of ESG strategy and professional sustainability services to the real estate investment industry across Europe.

Contact us today to discuss your sustainability needs.

https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/EVORA-insights-header-dataquality.png 600 1200 Chris Bennett https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/EVORA-logo-for-small-applications-WHITE-300x172.png Chris Bennett2019-07-29 12:23:282019-07-29 12:23:28EVORA Insights: GRESB and Data Quality

EVORA Supports Moorfield to Produce its Latest CSR Report

July 10, 2019/in News & Views /by EVORA

EVORA has supported Moorfield on development and delivery of its sustainability programme for a number of years now. This is the third year we have assisted in the production of their Corporate Social Responsibility report.

Moorfield has done well over the past 12 months achieving like-for-like energy reductions of 13%, carbon reductions of 38% and increases in recycling rates to 61%. These are achievements to be celebrated and the annual CSR report is a great tool for communicating progress.

Moorfield also recognises that the response to ESG drivers must be flexible and evolve to address emerging challenges, new technologies and changing stakeholder interests. This is demonstrated by the report which covers a diverse range of aspects including green building certification; labour management; gender equality; health, wellbeing and sustainable procurement all the way through to how the company is tackling single-use plastics. The report allows all stakeholders to better understand where risks and opportunities lie and how the company is becoming more resilient to ESG risks year-on-year.

Paul Sutcliffe, Director at EVORA, states “The Moorfield Group has made significant progress with their sustainability strategy and the outcomes stated in the latest CSR report deserve recognition. It has been a true team effort, involving the Moorfield team together with its partner property managers and Project teams. EVORA is delighted to be continually involved.”

You can read the report here.

https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/EVORA-Moorfield-CRS-report-2018.jpg 800 1200 EVORA https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/EVORA-logo-for-small-applications-WHITE-300x172.png EVORA2019-07-10 14:49:082019-07-18 14:13:07EVORA Supports Moorfield to Produce its Latest CSR Report

EVORA Insights: The future of GRESB and the real estate industry

July 2, 2019/in News & Views /by Chris Bennett

Interview with Roxana Isaiu, Director Real Estate, GRESB

With GRESB submissions now over for another year, many of us in the industry can breathe a (small) sigh of relief.

EVORA Director and co-founder, Ed Gabbitas, took some time out to speak with Roxana Isaiu, Director Real Estate, GRESB to chat about the future of GRESB and what the real estate industry should be focussing on.

Listen to Roxana’s insights on what the big issues are for the industry, why a shift towards performance is going to be essential and whether GRESB should be leading the industry or just capturing what’s already been done.

You can watch the full video here:

EVORA is a recognised leader in the provision of ESG strategy and professional sustainability services to the real estate investment industry across Europe.

Contact us today to discuss your sustainability needs.

https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/EVORA-insights-future-of-gresb.png 600 1200 Chris Bennett https://evoraglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/EVORA-logo-for-small-applications-WHITE-300x172.png Chris Bennett2019-07-02 14:30:522019-07-02 14:30:52EVORA Insights: The future of GRESB and the real estate industry

Pages

  • About Us
  • Adina Munteanu
  • Adrian Rimmer
  • Air Conditioning Inspections
  • Alberto Ballardini
  • Alex Graham
  • Alexandra Segall
  • Alexandru Malainic
  • Alice Buckby
  • Alice Green
  • Aoife Busher
  • Asset Performance Management
  • Associate Director Sustainability Consultant
  • Ayosha Orth
  • Azeem Janjua
  • BIM:SAM Brochure
  • BREEAM
  • Brochures, Guides and Reports
  • Building Log Books
  • Building Physics
  • Building Services Specifications
  • Building Services Technical Manager (TSM)
  • Cameron Little
  • Charlotte Lacey
  • Chris Bennett
  • Chris Burgess
  • Claudia D’Almo
  • Client Successes
  • Clients and Partnerships
  • Climate Resilience
  • Company Brochure
  • Contact Us
  • Cookies
  • CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
  • Dan Dorey
  • Data Intelligence
  • Data Management
  • Data Management Solutions
  • David Leonard
  • Dilapidations
  • Dru Morton
  • Ed Gabbitas
  • Ed Lock
  • Edward Pugh
  • Eleanor Hughes
  • Emily Day
  • Emma Leach
  • Emma Wise
  • Energy Audits
  • Energy Consultant
  • Energy Management System ISO 50001
  • Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
  • Energy Strategies
  • ESG Strategy
  • ESG Strategy, Reporting & Risk Management
  • Events and Webinars
  • EVORA Breakfast event: Meeting the Climate Challenge
  • EVORA Giving
  • EVORA Global Climate Resilience Campaign
  • EVORA Training Webinars
  • EVORA Training Webinars
  • EVORA Training Webinars Sept
  • EVORA Workshop: Health and Wellbeing and Resilience
  • Gaynor Williams
  • George Patrick
  • Glenda Rivetti
  • GRESB 2018/19 eBook
  • GRESB 2019 wrap-up drinks: Come and celebrate your GRESB Independence Day!
  • GRESB eBook
  • Hannah Worthington
  • Hattie Houghton
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Health & Wellbeing Consultant
  • Heat Networks
  • Helen Jost
  • Home
  • How to overcome GRESB challenges and achieve your best score
  • IMPACT Modelling
  • Indoor Air Quality Performance Auditing
  • Infrastructure
  • Insights
  • Internet of Things eBook
  • Isioma Adebayo
  • Isobel Murray
  • Iulia Filipeanu
  • Jacob Freeman
  • Janine Scheil
  • Jenny Kay
  • Joanna Tomlinson
  • Joe Ellis
  • Joe Gubats
  • Joe Kinnear
  • Junior Sustainability Consultant
  • Junior Sustainability Consultant (Data Administrator / Analyst)
  • Katerina Fytanoglou
  • Katie Brown
  • Kimran Johal
  • Liam Onions
  • Liviu-Marian Albu
  • Louise Russell
  • Lucy Curtis
  • M&E Consultancy
  • Madeleine Krivonozka
  • Madeleine Sträng
  • Managing Consultant (specialisation in Net Zero)
  • Mandatory Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting
  • Mandy Bennett
  • Manuela Tarabuta
  • Marianne Fabius
  • Marius Arnautu
  • Matt Browne
  • Matt Matthias
  • Matthew Brundle
  • Meghan Johnson
  • Meike Borchers
  • Melf Asmussen
  • Metering Strategies
  • Michael Norton
  • Milan Schmidt
  • Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
  • More than just a benchmarking exercise: How to integrate GRESB into your ESG Strategy
  • Muna Aden
  • Natalie Deufemia
  • Natalie Sinha
  • Neil Dady
  • Net Zero Carbon
  • New Service Landing Page Draft
  • Nick Hogg
  • Non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
  • Non-Financial Disclosure and Reporting (INREV, EPRA and GRI)
  • Oli Pye
  • On-site environmental compliance
  • Our Team
  • Pan-European Capabilities
  • Paul Sims
  • Paul Sutcliffe
  • Performance Improvement
  • Personal Assistant
  • Philippa Gill
  • Privacy Policy
  • Project Management
  • Rachael Entwistle
  • Rachel Spicer
  • Rahul Gautam
  • Real Estate Sustainability: Planning for 2018 and Beyond
  • Regulatory
  • Renewable Energy Systems
  • Reporting
  • Robbie Whiteside
  • Robin Morris-Weston
  • Rohith Gopi
  • Roxana Mojsiak
  • Ryan Sit
  • Sadie Hopkins
  • Sarah Harvey
  • Senior Sustainability Consultant
  • Senior Sustainability Consultant (specialisation in Building Optimisation and Green Building Certifications)
  • Senior Sustainability Consultant (specialisation in Energy Management)
  • Serwaa Boateng
  • SIERA
  • SIERA By Numbers Infographic
  • SIERA Webinar November 2017
  • SIERA+
  • Simon Cripps
  • Smart Buildings
  • Software Tester
  • Sonny Masero
  • Stuart Leaver
  • Sustainability Assessments
  • Sustainability Consultancy
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Sustainability Software
  • Sustainability Strategy ISO 14001
  • Sustainability Training
  • Technical Engineering
  • Technical Product Manager
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Test Page
  • Thank You
  • Thank You for your enquiry
  • Thank You Opt In
  • Thomas Hutton
  • Tom Swan
  • Tom Winchester
  • Training Webinars
  • Valerie Arnold
  • Verena Luecking
  • Videos
  • Voluntary Reporting Initiatives (GRESB, CDP, DJSI, FTSE4GOOD)
  • Work for EVORA

Categories

  • Compliance
  • Data
  • Energy
  • News & Views
  • Sustainability

Archive

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014

Quick links

About Us
ESG Strategy
GRESB Reporting
Climate Resilience
Data Intelligence
Latest News & Views
Careers at EVORA
Contact Us

Head Office

The Hop Exchange, Suite 73-74
24 Southwark Street
London, SE1 1TY

+44 (0)20 3326 7333

info@evoraglobal.com

© EVORA Global Limited 2019
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms
Scroll to top
This site uses cookies. Learn more here.