Biodiversity is a key component of functioning ecosystems and the sustainability of societies. Calculations on how products and manufacturing affect biodiversity are only being piloted at this stage. There are at present no established ways of measuring biodiversity impacts, and the mechanics behind these impacts are still being researched. However, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) can be used to calculate and identify which product lifecycle phases have the greatest impact on nature.
Biodiversity loss has been recognised as a major environmental challenge and more accurate indicators and calculation methods are being developed to monitor it. Alongside greenhouse gas accounting, biodiversity has become an important factor for businesses, too.
“Biodiversity has emerged as a key theme in recent years and is increasingly present in sustainability discussions. Kiilto needs to think about how biodiversity is reflected in our operations and what kind of targets we should set for it”, says Environmental Manager Viivi Kettula.
As part of the second work package of Kiilto’s Super Healthy Buildings project on digital and sustainable construction, Kiilto has delved deeper into biodiversity impacts through two projects. The first of them was a joint project on nature footprint, led by construction and real estate company Granlund and developed to pilot the nature footprint calculations of specific products and buildings. The second project, carried out by students from LUT University of Technology, has helped Kiilto to better understand its customers’ expectations regarding biodiversity.
Piloting calculations of the nature impacts of construction materials
Assessing nature footprints is more complex than assessing carbon footprints, because impacts on biodiversity are often local and cannot be tied to a single universal indicator.
Kiilto wants to actively observe the development of measuring methods and participate in projects like the one led by Granlund.
Head of Product Management Eeva Kaataja from Kiilto’s construction business sees the project as highly relevant, as large quantities of raw materials are purchased and used in construction. This means that the impacts on nature can also be significant.
“We are responsible for ensuring that raw materials are used wisely. Wasting or misusing them would be a major burden on biodiversity and the planet, especially because the material flows in construction are big.”
Emissions have the most significant impact on biodiversity
Kiilto is leveraging pilot projects to prepare for future regulations and to develop expertise in biodiversity accounting.
“By testing biodiversity calculations, we will find out whether our data is sufficient to calculate biodiversity impacts or whether there are gaps”, says Kaataja.
Biodiversity impact calculations also provide valuable information on how to take impacts into account as part of business development.
“Biodiversity accounting can be used as an internal tool to guide decision-making on, for example, using recycled raw materials instead of virgin raw materials”, adds Kettula.
The Granlund project suggests that carbon dioxide emissions have the most significant impact on biodiversity through climate change. This conclusion underlines the importance of emission reduction targets. Kiilto aims to reduce indirect emissions by 21% compared to the 2021 level by 2031.
Kiilto helps customers reduce their impact on nature
Kiilto’s customers have become increasingly interested in biodiversity accounting. This is the conclusion drawn in the project carried out by students of LUT University of Technology for Kiilto.
“Nature impact calculations can be useful, for instance, in securing funding. Sustainability issues are increasingly taken into account as part of tendering procedures as well. Their importance is therefore not limited to business development, but directly linked to the competitiveness of the company. With recognised and verified sustainability, partnerships are easier to build. We also want to help our customers achieve their environmental goals by reducing the biodiversity impact of our own products”, says Kaataja.