From loss to gain—how to increase biodiversity in infrastructure projects?
Europe faces a major infrastructure upgrade estimated at EUR 9 trillion to 2040 (Sweco estimation based on World Bank data*), Integrating nature into the built environment, infrastructure and construction projects is essential to meet 2030 biodiversity targets and growing financial and regulatory requirements.
Sweco’s new Urban Insight report, “Biodiversity in practice: From loss to gain” offers practical tools, best practices and recommendations to help project owners, designers, and planners integrate biodiversity at every stage of development.
The report highlights how nature tech and smart solutions—from DNA analysis and detection dogs to drones, AI, and blue–green infrastructure—can translate data into action. Together, these tools support better decision-making and help integrate biodiversity.
“Traditional infrastructure projects have often been designed with a focus on function and efficiency, but modern infrastructure should also reconnect ecosystems. The tools are available, and we can move from knowledge to action and ensure biodiversity is part of Europe’s infrastructure boom,”
says Piia Pessala, Executive Director in biodiversity at Sweco and one of the authors of the report.
From knowledge to action
Drawing on Sweco’s knowledge and experience from ongoing client projects across Europe, the report also presents nine practical solutions together with guidance for project owners for integrating biodiversity. Demonstrating solutions with recent client projects in energy, transport, industry and buildings, the report explains how project owners, construction companies, property and real estate developers and their clients can incorporate biodiversity into upcoming infrastructure development projects.
What’s inside the report?
- 14 scalable projects with innovative solutions for every stage of development, highlighting biodiversity solutions from the transport, energy, water and urban development sectors.
- Practical design principles and methods for integrating biodiversity into decision-making processes.
- The right tools make biodiversity assessments more precise and efficient. Demonstrating how to measure what matters using nature tech and smart tools.
- Clear guidance for project owners on measuring and delivering biodiversity from loss to net gain, including nature inventories, measurements and implementation.
Read and download the report “Biodiversity in practice—From loss to gain” and explore nine recommendations for scaling action on biodiversity.
