Being able to measure biodiversity is important
In the field of stone materials, we work a lot with biodiversity. But how can it be measured?
In the field of stone materials, we work a lot with biodiversity. But how can it be measured?
As a raw materials coordinator at NCC, my daily work is shaped by sustainability issues, which is reflected, among other things, in how biodiversity can be promoted in our quarries. At the end of May this year, I participated in a field trip in and around Sigtuna to see examples of how biodiversity can be measured during exploitation. The field trip, organized by the Business and Biodiversity network and Ecogain, focused on a tool that quantifies a project's ecological footprint to meet the demand for biodiversity KPIs.
The visit was divided into a morning spent in a forest area designated for a new zoning plan and an afternoon in the Steningedalen Nature Reserve, which has been the site of a large wetland restoration project. We walked through areas classified by different nature values, while being guided through how these areas are assessed and categorized: has there been logging or thinning, is there variation in plants, species, and ages, are there key species present, has drainage occurred, and so on.
Tools for Measuring Biodiversity
The focus of the meeting was how to measure biodiversity, and one example of this is the CLIMB tool. It is a model that calculates biodiversity within a geographical area. The tool can assess how to reduce the overall ecological footprint by avoiding, minimizing, restoring, and finally compensating for any damage or loss of natural values. The result can thus become a KPI for sustainable financing/reporting. The example we saw showed that, if all steps of the mitigation hierarchy are applied, biodiversity would end up with a positive rather than a negative outcome!
We were a diverse group gathered for the excursion, with representatives from both private companies, municipalities, and banks. SEB participated and shared how they view the ability to measure biodiversity for sustainable investments very positively.
How does NCC work with biodiversity?
For NCC, biodiversity in quarry operations has long been an important area with many initiatives, and we have a concept, NCC Kielo, for how we work to secure and develop biodiversity in our quarries. For example, we work to create and preserve environments that support animal and plant species that are otherwise easily outcompeted by other species but can thrive in the quarries. These can include birds, frogs, salamanders, insects, and meadow flowers. And now we've learned even more about how this can be measured — giving us additional strength in promoting biodiversity.
My background is that, having been born and raised in Kiruna and studied environmental and health protection at Umeå University, I have worked on environmental issues related to development projects in both the private and public sectors for over 10 years. I started at NCC in February and find it exciting and important to see how we focus on sustainability in everything, from circular materials to the truly green issues like biodiversity.
/Therese Hartnor, Raw Materials Supply Coordinator