Source: Responsible Real Estate: Social Value (JLL, 2023)

At the portfolio level, investors and asset managers must assess the co-benefits of nature-based solutions and identify KPIs for quantifying and measuring biodiversity impact. Similarly, at the building level, developers should incorporate biodiversity-friendly designs such as choosing native and diverse species for green facades, creating bird and pollinator-friendly landscapes, and improving site connectivity. It is essential to note that biodiversity risks and impact extend up the value chain; therefore, responsible procurement via partnerships, contract clauses, standards, or guidelines is crucial to mitigate such risks.

The good news is that biodiversity solutions are already available in the market, whether in developing biophilic buildings such as CapitaSpring in Singapore or retrofitting existing assets to boost local wildlife in the Erdington Industrial Estate in the United Kingdom.

The pace of adopting biodiversity in real estate portfolios must be accelerated. Buildings designed and managed with biodiversity in mind will be crucial in meeting upcoming regulations and occupier demand. Ultimately, building for biodiversity will enhance the socioecological resilience of the built environment.