Real estate, as a player in the ecological transition, has become aware of its responsibility in terms of ecological footprint. Today still dominated by mineral surfaces, it is now time for real estate to be inspired by nature in order to live in symbiosis with its environment. To this end, considering the protection and development of biodiversity when designing and renovating urban areas is a solution that is both sustainable and beneficial.

Buildings at the heart of environmental issues

The sedentarization of the human population was the first major step in the evolution of the concept of habitat. Land use expanded as innovations and population growth took place. The notion of comfort has also greatly evolved, creating specific needs and supplies. Today, real estate is a sector that alters the environment and biodiversity. Indeed, in addition to the impacts related to the destruction of natural habitats, the extraction and manufacture of building materials, real estate represents 37% of energy consumption in developed countries, 40% of CO2 emissions and 40% of waste produced [1].

[1] https://www.cairn.info/revue-innovations-2012-1-page-219.htm#

Biodiversity creates real estate value

Faced with this observation, subsidy and labelling policies have been put in place to promote more sustainable practices in the design and renovation of buildings: insulation premiums, energy performance labels, subsidies for the installation of green roofs, etc. Indeed, this type of development can be both financially attractive and more environmentally friendly.

What role can biodiversity play?
The protection of biodiversity provides many ecosystem services, both in rural and urban areas. These services consist of a material or immaterial benefit that humans derive from these ecosystems. With respect to the real estate sector, these benefits are both societal (improved quality of life, environmental education, mental health benefits, etc.), economical (property valuation, energy savings, thermal performance, attractiveness and loyalty, BREEAM and other certifications, permit procedures, investor requirements, etc.) and ecological (increase in habitats that welcome fauna and flora, reinforcement of green and blue networks, etc.), benefits can also be environmental (improvement of surface permeability, reduction of the urban heat island effect, etc.)[1].

The more abundant the biodiversity, the more numerous and diversified these ecosystem services are, which in turn improves the value of your property!

[1] LUONGO Sébastien, « Amélioration des critères de performance des bâtiments durables par l’intégration des services écosystémiques », Université de Liège, 2020.