Turning biodiversity goals into measurable impact

Published on: May 22, 2025

Biodiversity is essential for our well-being, economy and the health of our planet. It provides clean air and water, fertile soil, pollination, climate regulation and raw materials. But biodiversity is under pressure. In Europe, 25% of assessed species are endangered. Drivers such as land use change, pollution, climate change and invasive species are degrading ecosystems at a rapid pace. 

Ecosystem services provided by nature support more than half of the global GDP. Without decisive action, biodiversity loss could reduce global GDP by nearly €2.6 trillion by 2030. That’s why preserving and restoring biodiversity is not just an environmental priority—it’s an economic and societal necessity. 

Designing sustainable communities also means designing with nature in mind. Across Europe, Sweco supports public and private clients embrace biodiversity as a core part of planning, engineering and investment decisions.  

Sweco’s biodiversity-focused projects across Europe

Across Europe, Sweco is supporting clients with projects that deliver measurable benefits for biodiversity. From energy and water systems to digital mapping and ecological restoration, these initiatives show what practical, nature-positive action looks like.

“Sweco’s proactive approach in early project phases brings future-proof, biodiversity-enhancing solutions forward. Collaborating with our clients ensures we meet Europe’s green transition needs through innovative ecological principles,” says Piia Pessala. 

Supporting biodiversity in large-scale energy investments

Sweco is working as part of an international framework reviewing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Critical Habitat Assessments on behalf of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other financial institutions to determine if investment opportunities are meeting international and client-specific standards relating to biodiversity. This work is enabling our clients to make informed investment decisions on large-scale energy projects, including major overhead powerline routes, hydro-electric dams and wind farms, taking into consideration their effect on nature. 

Quantifying biodiversity through Naturepoints

Sweco is contributing to the non-profit organisation The National Biodiversity Bank Foundation to create a system of biodiversity credits in the Netherlands. Sweco’s Naturepoints calculator is used to quantify biodiversity gain or loss and to translate this into biodiversity credits. Naturepoints is a scientifically based method to quantify the biodiversity value of an area and estimate the effects of planned development projects. The foundation’s goal is to offer a transparent and guaranteed financing model for investments in biodiversity, working with landowners who want to strengthen biodiversity and with companies that want to finance it. 

Restoring the flow of Lake Savojärvi

The regulating dam at Lake Savojärvi – originally from the 1950s and located in the middle of a National Park – was demolished and the surrounding river area was restored to a pseudo-natural state using artificial rapids. Sweco’s role was to provide ecological expertise to the project. As a result, the outflow of water from the lake is no longer artificially regulated, improving the ecological conditions of the lake and river and allowing fish to move freely. 

Wetland restoration in Hedwigsthal

Sweco planned the restoration of wetland habitats in Hedwigsthal, part of the Holzbachaue area. These measures led to increased resilience of the floodplain ecosystem, promoting the success of typical species and enhancing the buffering capabilities of soil and vegetation. The restored wetland also contributes to the retention of nutrients and pollutants and binds CO₂. 

Reopening rivers for biodiversity and flood management

A former industrial site in Bergen has been transformed into a blue-green neighbourhood, with the reopening of a river as a central element. Sweco planned a two-layered water connection to allow fish migration and flood management. The project demonstrates how reopening rivers can serve as a central feature in urban wilding and provide a route for trout to migrate between salt and freshwater. 

Circular water system in Antwerp

The city of Antwerp is investing in a circular water network that harnesses valuable freshwater sources which would otherwise be lost to brackish waters. The city purifies and reallocates water from pump stations for urban use, replenishing groundwater and enhancing biodiversity. The purified water sustains ponds in green spaces, promotes diverse ecosystems and bolsters green infrastructure resilience. Additionally, it helps counteract brackish Scheldt water intrusion, which is vital for preserving freshwater ecosystems. Sweco played an important role by providing expertise in hydraulic infrastructure and water management, managing the design and implementation and ensuring effective stakeholder engagement. Through this initiative, Antwerp supports urban biodiversity and strengthens climate resilience efforts. 

Mapping Gotland’s alkaline fens using AI

Sweco mapped Gotland’s potential alkaline fens using remote sensing of orthophotos and other available geodata. Alkaline fens are wetlands that are important biodiversity hotspots, providing habitat for many endangered species. The analysis was produced using AI modelling and machine learning algorithms. The results indicated where high-value fens could exist and, conversely, where overgrowth had diminished natural value. This helps the County Administrative Board plan biodiversity-enhancing measures for the region. 

Digital tools for ecological monitoring

Sweco is using digital tools for more efficient ecological data collection. Camera traps for otter and birch mouse and acoustic recordings of bats have been used in several projects for The Danish Road Directorate, particularly in the Environmental Impact Assessments of new and upgraded highways. 

Biodiversity initiatives across Europe

Across Europe, countries are taking bold steps to halt biodiversity loss and embed nature into policy, planning and development. From national strategies and legislation to local initiatives and restoration agreements, these efforts reflect the growing recognition that biodiversity is not only a planetary priority, but also critical to human well-being, economic resilience and climate adaptation. 

Here are some examples of how European countries are advancing biodiversity through national policy and innovation: 

• Norway has developed open access digital mapping services through the collaboration of governmental stakeholders. These platforms provide a wide range of map layers across various themes, including environmental data relating to habitats, land resources, species and geology. 

• The United Kingdom has adopted a pioneering approach in the biodiversity offsetting market. A legal requirement mandates a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) for most developments that require planning permission in England. 

• In Finland, the Nature Conservation Act enables the offsetting of harm to the environment. A process is currently underway to develop and define a voluntary nature credit system and market. 

• Swedish municipalities are supported in integrating ecosystem services and green infrastructure into local planning processes through a national Guidance for Green Planning framework. 

• The Danish Government has launched a green transition agreement to transform approximately 400,000 hectares of farmland—roughly 10% of the country’s land area—into wetlands and forests. 

• Germany has updated its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), allocating €4 billion through 2026 for the restoration of a wide range of ecosystems. 

• In the Netherlands, nature-inclusive design is a requirement in many municipalities. To obtain building permits, developers must earn enough biodiversity ‘nature points’ through measures such as green roofs, wildlife habitats, ponds and vegetation. 
• Belgium is piloting a new policy framework through the Flemish Agency of Nature and Forestry. It focuses on the government’s role in promoting participatory and democratic values to create more local ownership of urban nature projects.