Biodiversity

The construction sector, including Heijmans, contributes to the Dutch economy and innovation, which improves many things, including living conditions, housing and infrastructure. At the same time, the construction sector is one of the major factors in the decline of biodiversity worldwide.

Society, and Heijmans too, is increasingly aware of the loss of biodiversity and the increasing risks that further decline entails for society, the economy and the business community.

Impacts, risks and opportunities

You will find the full process description of the double materiality analysis in the 'General Information' section. Heijmans has defined the impact on Biodiversity on the basis of the double materiality analysis:

We consider biodiversity to be an integral and essential part of our sustainability strategy. The biodiversity policy we have adopted, the actions we have implemented, the targets we have set and the metrics we have defined, as described in this chapter, focus on various drivers of biodiversity loss. We describe our approach to limiting greenhouse gas emissions in detail in the ‘Climate’ chapter. You will find the scope and limitations of the policy, the actions and the targets in the 'Notes' section.

Biodiversity analysis

In a follow-up to the results of the double materiality analysis, Heijmans developed a new process to map out our impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities related to biodiversity and ecosystems more effectively. This process, based on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) LEAP approach, will help Heijmans to refresh and refine the double materiality analysis next year. The LEAP approach is based on Locate, Evaluate, Assess and Prepare. Using this method, Heijmans is constantly improving its mapping of material impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities. The LEAP approach also provides a location-based method that will help us to take location-specific actions, set targets and measure progress.

When we update the double materiality analysis, we will take a closer look at systemic risks in the area of biodiversity. This includes risks of ecosystems deteriorating to the point that a crucial nature area can no longer function, aggregated risk and risk of contamination. We included physical risks and transition risks and investigated them in last year's double materiality analysis. More specifically, these are acute physical risks (e.g. worsening natural disasters due to declining biodiversity) and chronic physical risks (e.g. loss of pollinators or soil degradation). The transition risks are primarily related to ‘Policy and legislation’, ‘Technology’, ‘Market’ and ‘Reputation’.

Because Heijmans recognises that its activities in its own operations and its upstream and downstream value chains have an impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, we also realise that we can have an indirect impact on communities that depend on the same biodiversity and ecosystems. To accommodate these potentially affected communities, in the coming years Heijmans wants to discuss the sustainability analyses of the shared organic resources and ecosystems during projects, and to discuss when we need to take mitigating actions to reduce the impact. This was not included in the year under review.

This year, Heijmans started this process by taking an initial step towards a first site-specific analysis according to the TNFD LEAP approach. After determining the scope of the analysis, we made a start on the localisation step last year. During these first steps in the process, we looked at Heijmans' economic activities at specific locations, the size (surface area) of these projects and their potential impact on nearby biodiversity-sensitive areas. Heijmans used the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) and the Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure (ENCORE) database for this analysis. Based on the results of IBAT, Heijmans can state that it has 940 locations that are close to biodiversity-sensitive areas where, based on the ENCORE database, there are economic activities that have a potentially material negative impact on biodiversity, ecosystems and natural habitats. This may result in a deterioration of the relevant habitats, and Heijmans' activities are disturbing animals in protected areas. The total area of all potential material surface locations together amounts to approximately 23.88 km². You will find more information on the scoping of the biodiversity analysis in the 'Notes' section.

In order to map out the actual impact and dependency, Heijmans wants to go through the full TNFD LEAP approach in the coming reporting years to clarify its impacts and dependencies. Last year's steps provide the basis for this, but are not yet enough to specify our actual impact and dependencies at location level. Based on these results, Heijmans can then conclude whether it is necessary to take mitigation measures to minimise the impact on biodiversity at these locations and to map our dependencies, in addition to the legal measures that are already being taken within our projects.  

Location-specific outcomes

Based on the outcomes of the scoping step, we extracted a list of possible locations from our database. This list contains descriptions of our economic activities at possible locations, which were then linked to GPS coordinates. The locations were then loaded into the IBAT tool and we ran a ‘Disclosure Report’. Below is an example of the A2/A12 motorway where a location-specific analysis was performed. This analysis showed that our activities on the A2/A12 motorway are close to biodiversity-sensitive areas. Based on the ENCORE database, economic activities are taking place that have a potentially material negative impact on biodiversity, ecosystems and natural habitats.

Land degradation, desertification and soil sealing

We identified a negative material impact on land degradation, desertification and soil sealing in Heijmans‘ economic activities. This negative impact is not (yet) linked to the IRO. See below for the definitions and associated types of impacts that contribute to these issues through Heijmans’ economic activities.

Impact on endangered species

Heijmans' activities also have a potential impact on endangered species. In the year under review, this involved 28.5% of the 940 locations analysed by IBAT. In these cases, the potential impact on endangered species is significant. 

Limitations of the outcomes

• The complete method and limitations of these outcomes are described in Heijmans' overarching biodiversity policy document.

• The surface area of the locations was only calculated for the large project locations of Heijmans Infra. For the other locations, point locations were used without surface area calculations because these are relatively small areas compared with the large Infra projects.

• The exact surface areas per location can be found in the full IBAT report in the 'Notes' section.

Resilience analysis

Because this was the first year that Heijmans mapped out its impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities, we have not yet used the results to conduct a complete resilience analysis. Heijmans therefore assumes that its strategy and business model are vulnerable to the various risks associated with the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems, and that its resilience has not yet been sufficiently mapped out. Nor is Heijmans adjusting its business model at this time based on the outcomes of the impact, dependency, risks and opportunities analysis. However, in the year under review we did draw up a list of material locations where impacts and dependencies are linked to material economic activities. This provides a solid basis for conducting a well-founded resilience analysis in the coming year, which will provide a complete picture.

In order to make an initial assessment of the risks to our business model in the area of biodiversity and ecosystems, Heijmans has plotted the list of material locations from the impact and dependency analysis in the WWF risk filter tool. This tool provides us with an initial insight into ecosystem-related physical and transition risks linked to each material location in our direct operations. This tool does not yet provide insight into possible systemic risks to which Heijmans' business model is exposed. Nor does this tool provide insight into our resilience in relation to these risks.

We made the following assumptions for this analysis:

• The locations deemed material provide an accurate and representative picture of Heijmans' business model in its direct operations.

• The time horizon to which this analysis applies is the past financial year. Heijmans assumes that 2024 is representative of an average financial year in which Heijmans carries out its usual economic activities.

• The WWF risk filter tool provides an accurate assessment of risks related to our locations, using the most up-to-date and best data.

No external stakeholders were included in our direct operations in this resilience analysis.

Results

The WWF risk filter tool can be used to identify ecosystem-related physical risks (risk type ‘Physical Risk’ in the WWF risk filter tool) and transition risks (risk type ‘Reputational Risk’ in the WWF risk filter tool). The results of this analysis are shown below, with the locations broken down by type of risk and associated risk categories. This shows that Heijmans runs a medium to high risk in terms of physical and transition risks, with commission services, pressure on biodiversity, environmental factors and additional reputation factors playing a particularly significant role. Although this still does not provide a complete picture of all the risks that Heijmans runs in the area of biodiversity and ecosystems, it does provide insight into where the main focus currently lies. This forms a good basis for a more in-depth analysis in the coming year.

Policy

In addition to Climate and Water, Biodiversity is one of Heijmans' three sustainability pillars. We are convinced that biodiversity, in conjunction with the pillars of climate and water, plays a crucial role in improving our living environment, so we leave it in a better state than we found it. That is why last year Heijmans developed a biodiversity vision, which will form the basis for an overarching policy document.

Our biodiversity vision consists of two parts, each with a specific target:

1. Strengthen biodiversity: by focusing on four impact factors, reduce the impact on biodiversity and improve it where possible;

2. Nature as a Solution: we use nature as a solution in our projects whenever possible.

Improving biodiversity

To improve biodiversity, Heijmans has identified four impact factors that are closely aligned with our business model and our strategy. We see these four impact factors as the levers that we as Heijmans can pull to minimise our negative impact on biodiversity and ecosystems and maximise our positive impact.

1. Space for nature: this is about how much space is available for nature, not only in specific nature reserves, but also in areas where space is made for nature in combination with other functions, such as living, working or connecting. In addition to size, the connectedness of this nature is also important. Heijmans, for example, has an impact on the space for nature by converting nature and greenery into buildings and the likes of asphalt.

2. Species richness: species richness is about the variety of species in an area. A greater variety of native species ensures more balanced biodiversity. For example, Heijmans has an impact on species richness through the introduction of invasive species or the disruption of habitats due to construction work.

3. Environmental conditions: good environmental conditions such as healthy soil, clean water and air quality are the basis for the flourishing of flora, fauna and people. For example, Heijmans has an impact on environmental conditions through potential pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that damage biodiversity. Our impact on climate change through emissions is described in detail in the ‘Climate’ chapter.

4. Nature as a resource: all our resources, such as timber, hemp fibre, gravel and metal, come from nature. There is a high risk of biodiversity loss when these resources are extracted. Even when using bio-based materials, Heijmans has an impact on biodiversity in the chain.

We used the five pressure factors identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the TNFD, the CSRD, Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) and other organisations as the main causes behind the current global decline in biodiversity as the scientific basis for the development of the Heijmans impact factors.

The table below shows how the Heijmans impact factors relate to these scientific pressure factors.

Nature as a Solution

At this point in time, we are still developing the ‘Nature as a Solution’ component. In this part of our vision, Heijmans wants to map out how we can use nature as a solution in our projects. We expect improving ecosystem services to play a major role on this front. However, we are already taking various actions to use nature as a solution. See the chapter on 'Biodiversity actions' for more information.

Traceability of materials

Heijmans is committed to the transparency and traceability of products, components and raw materials within the value chain in order to limit its environmental and social impact. A key example and a first step is the use of FSC and PEFC-certified timber, which guarantees that the timber comes from responsibly managed forests. By preventing logging in irresponsibly managed forests, we also prevent emissions linked to deforestation. Our ambition is to continue to improve the traceability of various materials by working with suppliers in our chain and improving data management and the monitoring of material flows in the coming years.

Project-specific policy

Heijmans does not yet have a location-specific policy for locations in or near biodiversity-sensitive areas, as determined in the impact, dependency risk and opportunities analysis. However, Heijmans does have specific policy components that may have locations in or near biodiversity-sensitive areas:

• The Nature Ladder (Natuurladder) at Heijmans Infra: Heijmans uses the Nature Ladder, which we helped develop, as a guideline for biodiversity in infrastructure projects. This ladder focuses on cultural and behavioural change and offers projects practical steps to enhance biodiversity and climate adaptation. The Nature Ladder has now been transferred to the Delta Plan on Biodiversity Restoration for national implementation.

• Use of NL Greenlabel: for its own area developments, Heijmans applies the NL Greenlabel area label to assess and stimulate sustainability efforts. The label measures these efforts based on themes such as biodiversity, water management and mobility. Since 2021, Heijmans has required each of its area developments to score an A or B. This method is used not only to measure the ecological impact of a project, but also to preserve and enhance local qualities, for example through nature-inclusive construction and the connection with so-called green-blue structures.

This policy supports Heijmans' commitment to the sustainable management of the natural environment around operational locations, with a focus on the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.

Sustainable land and soil management

Heijmans is developing a sustainable land lease policy aimed at promoting soil health, biodiversity and climate adaptation. This policy strives to reduce nitrogen emissions, increase biodiversity and reduce heat stress through targeted land management actions.

For grassland, the focus is on switching to grass-clover mixtures, a ban on glyphosate and postponing any mowing date until 1 June. For arable land, we are encouraging a switch to biobased cultivation (such as hemp fibre), with a glyphosate ban and non-inversion tillage as key priorities.

Heijmans recognises the importance of sustainable soil management and is working with Wageningen University & Research (WUR) on a framework of seven principles for healthy soil practices in urban development. These guidelines help projects protect and improve soil health through soil research, minimising disruption, preventing compaction and promoting biodiversity. Although these soil principles currently serve as a framework, in the future they will provide a basis for further implementation of policy and conscious soil practices in Heijmans’ projects.

Deforestation

Heijmans imports, uses and exports timber for its operations and end products. Realising that the purchase of timber can result in deforestation, Heijmans has been committed to using as much certified timber as possible since 2011. In 2024, this percentage was 99.5%, out of a total of approximately 12,144 m³ of timber¹. When we enter the amount of sustainable timber used into the Forest Stewardship Council's FSC Forest Calculator, we see that in 2024, one year's use of timber protects 468,880 m² of forest for thirty years. We also offer sustainable solutions and promote nature-based solutions whenever possible.

• 1Data are up to and including October 2024.

Actions

Biodiversity actions

Heijmans is implementing various actions to reduce its negative impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. These actions can be roughly divided into four types:

• Measuring instruments

• Partnerships

• Research programmes with external partners

• Cross-project measures

Although Heijmans does not specifically use the mitigation hierarchy as a tool, each action can be categorised using this hierarchy. Each action is also linked to one of the four strategic biodiversity pillars (Space for Nature, Species Richness, Environmental Conditions and Nature as a Resource). These actions are just a selection of all the actions that Heijmans is taking to prevent, reduce, repair or compensate for its impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. These actions do not (yet) cover the entire IRO.

Heijmans does not currently have any actions planned for the (near) future, as the impact and dependencies are not yet fully clear (see also reference to the LEAP approach at the start of this chapter).

Nature as a Solution

Heijmans also frequently uses nature-based solutions in its projects and area developments. These solutions focus on the use of natural processes and ecosystems to contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity recovery and the well-being of communities. By combining technical knowledge with ecological principles, Heijmans creates social, economic and ecological value. Some of the themes in which nature is currently used as a solution are:

• Nature-inclusive building: Heijmans applies nature-inclusive building principles to promote biodiversity in the built environment. Green roofs are a common feature in our projects, not only adding aesthetic value but also creating habitat space for birds, insects and other species. This Space for Nature initiative also contributes to climate regulation by absorbing heat, retaining rainwater and improving air quality. This not only makes the urban environment more biodiverse, but also more resistant to climate changes such as heat waves and heavy rainfall.

• Native vegetation and pollinators: by integrating native plants into project designs, Heijmans supports local biodiversity and enhances pollination services.

• Nature-friendly banks: Heijmans incorporates nature-friendly banks along and around water features in its projects, which boosts biodiversity, among other things.

• Wildlife crossings and ecological connections: in collaboration with partners, Heijmans creates ecological corridors and wildlife crossings in infrastructure projects to connect fragmented habitats. This promotes the safe movement of animal species, which increases genetic diversity and makes ecosystems more resilient.

• Green solutions along infrastructure and in paved areas: Heijmans regularly uses green solutions such as bioswales, green verges and ponds near paved projects such as streets and squares. These help to collect rainwater and prevent surface runoff, which reduces the risk of flooding and helps create a resilient water management system.

In addition to these overarching themes, there are other themes in which we use nature as a solution. Heijmans strives to increasingly use nature as a solution, and wants this to become the normal way of thinking.

Targets

Heijmans has formulated two new specific biodiversity targets to reduce its impact on biodiversity in its direct operations. These targets are linked to the impact factors ‘Space for Nature’ and ‘Species Richness’. These targets are absolute and time-bound. Heijmans did not set any specific biodiversity targets for the ‘Environmental conditions’ and ‘Nature as a resource’ impact factors last year. However, it did set specific targets in the areas of climate change and water, which can be found in the respective chapters on ‘Climate’ and ‘Water’. These targets also ensure that our direct operations reduce our impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. They do not (yet) cover the entire IRO. 

We determine the materiality of a project based on the business activities that take place. We will start taking the first measurements on a number of projects in 2025, but we do not yet have a definitive timeline for reporting on these targets for the entire organisation. 

Method for target-setting and assumptions used

We set the targets for the impact factors ‘Space for Nature’ and ‘Species Richness’ using the following method:

• Integration with the four impact factors: the first step in the process was to align the biodiversity targets with Heijmans' four biodiversity impact factors.

• Alignment with scientific and international targets: in the next step, we looked at the relevant international targets and frameworks.

• Integration with measurement methods and monitoring: we then looked at the feasibility of measuring and monitoring the targets set.

• Targets were made SMART: the SMART methodology ensures that your targets are clear, achievable and measurable.

• Internal evaluation: we then evaluated the targets internally with subject matter experts, theme leaders, the Executive Board and those responsible for sustainability across the company's business areas. 

Alignment with international targets and the mitigation hierarchy

The two new targets are currently well aligned with various international frameworks. The most important is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which consists of 23 global targets to combat the worldwide decline of biodiversity and ecosystems. Our targets contribute to various targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Heijmans' targets can be categorised under the ‘Restore’ step of the mitigation ladder. This step focuses on restoring and improving the biodiversity and ecosystem services that have been affected by human activities.