Stockholm (NordSIP) – AP Pension‘s real estate arm AP Ejendomme, together with PensionDanmark, and the Danish Planetary Responsibility Foundation have launched a collaborative initiative to develop an industry standard for assessing and mitigating the construction sector’s impact on biodiversity. This project, supported by a DKK 1.1 million grant from the philanthropic association Realdania, aims to create a unified framework that addresses the entire value chain, from raw material extraction to construction practices. 
According to the project proponents, the construction industry currently lacks standardised methods and tools to measure its biodiversity impact, leading to inconsistent practices among developers, contractors, and suppliers. Preliminary studies indicate that up to 90% of the industry’s total biodiversity impact occurs within its value chain, underscoring the need for comprehensive measurement and mitigation strategies. 
Peter Olsson, CEO of AP Ejendomme, emphasises the importance of a unified approach. “For us as a developer, an industry standard would be a valuable tool for measuring, reducing, and communicating our impact on biodiversity. At the same time, I believe that a common model can help increase both the pace and the level of ambition across the construction industry. Voluntary efforts can take us far, but I also believe it would serve as an additional catalyst if political requirements and frameworks were introduced to ensure that we compete on equal terms,” he says. 
The project will engage with various collaborators, including Sweco, Oiko, Concito, Aaen Engineering, and Upstream Partners, to develop practical measurement methods that enable key industry players to take responsibility and reduce their own impact, as well as that of their suppliers and partners. The partnership anticipates presenting the results within the next year, aiming to establish a shared industry standard that facilitates goal-setting and accountability, thereby enhancing the construction sector’s overall responsibility towards biodiversity. 
