Real Estate for a changing world

Biodiversity takes roots in cities

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The rate of erosion of biodiversity – the living fabric of our planet that we are a part of – is unprecedented. In cities, humans coexist alongside other life forms. The responsibility of the real estate value chain is therefore to limit its impact, while at the same time cultivating biodiversity and the living world.

The protection of biodiversity means limiting urban sprawl and the artificialisation of land, as well as using bio-based eco-designed materials. “The idea is to design real estate projects, right from the conception stage of a building, that take local biodiversity into account in order to limit the impact on the natural and human environment”, explains Catherine Papillon, Global Head of Sustainable Development/CSR for BNP Paribas Real Estate. Each project can also include receptacles for living beings in cities: green buildings, various habitats for different species such as beehives, bird perches, grassland and food production made possible by urban agriculture.

Catherine Papillon

The idea is to design real estate projects, right from the conception stage of a building, that take local biodiversity into account in order to limit the impact on the natural and human environment

Catherine Papillon
Global Head of Sustainable Development/CSR for BNP Paribas Real Estate
Europe

“Nature is an essential component for citizens’ wellness and fulfilment”, adds Catherine Papillon, who recalls its innumerable benefits: reduction of urban heat, improvement of air quality, promotion of social contact, stress reduction and so on. All over the world, an increasing number of major cities have put biodiversity at the heart of their urban planning and quality of life policies. With its 2020 Biodiversity Charter, BNP Paribas Real Estate has placed the topic, considered to be of great interest to investors and major occupiers, at the core of its CSR strategy. Through seven different objectives, BNP Paribas Real Estate has made the commitment to champion biodiversity within each business line and further boost its influence across the real estate sector.

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