When I sat down with Agnes, a Landscape Architect at Ecogain, I was eager to delve into the recent endorsement of CLIMB by BREEAM. The international certification body’s endorsement marks a significant milestone for both the method and the broader goal of integrating biodiversity into construction and development projects. Agnes’s excitement was palpable, and her insights provided a comprehensive view of what this endorsement means for the industry and the environment.
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“Our journey with CLIMB has been long and rewarding,” Agnes began, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. “The collaboration between multiple stakeholders—from large companies in the Swedish business sector to leading researchers and experts in biodiversity—has been instrumental in developing this method.”
CLIMB, an acronym for Changing Land use Impact on Biodiversity, is designed to assess and quantify biodiversity efforts in various construction and development scenarios. “What sets CLIMB apart,” Agnes explained, “is its foundation in the British DEFRA’s Biodiversity Metric. We’ve adapted and further developed it to suit Nordic conditions, making it both robust and locally relevant.”
One of the key aspects that Agnes highlighted was the collaborative nature of CLIMB’s development. Over 200 people have contributed to the project, providing essential feedback to refine the method. “The involvement of an Advisory Board with representatives from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, SLU, Lund University, Chalmers, IIASA, Anthesis, and Skellefteå Kraft has been invaluable. Their continuous input has ensured that CLIMB remains scientifically sound and practically applicable,” she noted.
I was curious about how this endorsement by BREEAM would impact the industry. Agnes was quick to respond. “For those who have certified their construction projects, this endorsement means they can now demonstrate real biodiversity benefits. The ability to use CLIMB will not only speed up the certification process but also provide a transparent and credible framework to measure and report biodiversity benefits,” she explained. This, she stressed, is crucial for increasing predictability in environmental assessments and enabling better monitoring against biodiversity targets.
Agnes also touched on the practical applications of CLIMB. “It can be used to compare localizations and layouts, overview and evaluate different effects of investments, and develop new biodiversity key performance indicators,” she said. The method’s versatility makes it a powerful tool for both planning and reporting, aligning business strategies with environmental goals.
As we delved deeper into the conversation, Agnes shared some of the challenges they faced during the development of CLIMB. “Integrating standardized input data with expert knowledge was no small feat,” she admitted. “We had to ensure that the parameters for restoration and compensation were both scientifically accurate and practically feasible.” However, the collaborative spirit of the project helped overcome these hurdles. “Working with partners like Talga, Vattenfall, Skanska, and many others provided a wealth of expertise and resources that were crucial for the project’s success,” she added.
The endorsement by BREEAM also opens up new opportunities for training and education. “Ecogain organises courses to help stakeholders get started with CLIMB,” Agnes mentioned. These courses cover a range of topics, from planning and reporting to business strategy and own calculations, making it easier for companies to integrate CLIMB into their operations.
Towards the end of our conversation, I asked Agnes about the future of CLIMB. “We see it as a pioneer in biodiversity work,” she said confidently. “The endorsement by BREEAM is just the beginning. We’re continuously working on improving the method and expanding its applications. Our goal is to make biodiversity assessment and conservation an integral part of every construction and development project.”
As I wrapped up the interview, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by Agnes’s passion and dedication. The endorsement of CLIMB by BREEAM is indeed a significant step forward, not just for Ecogain but for the entire industry. It sets a new standard for how we approach biodiversity in construction and development, offering a scientifically sound and practical tool to ensure that our projects benefit both nature and society.
Marcia Snyder
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