The Nature of Building: Biodiversity & the Built Environment

The CIOB is partnering with Content With Purpose (CWP) to produce an extensive digital series exploring the intricate relationship between construction and nature, and the essential need for the industry to respond to the biodiversity crisis.

WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022 revealed that global wildlife populations have plummeted by a staggering 69% on average since 1970. In the UK, the State of Nature Report 2023 concluded that nearly one in six species are threatened with national extinction. This serves as a stark reminder to accelerate progress in responding to the interconnected emergencies of human-induced climate change and biodiversity loss.

Featuring a diverse array of future-focused content including short films and interviews, The Nature of Building: Biodiversity & the Built Environment will examine the impact of the built environment on nature and biodiversity, and the measures in place to mitigate negative impact from construction operations.

It will present a future where society’s needs for developing housing and infrastructure do not come at a high cost to biodiversity and designs put nature at the heart of development, bolstering the industry’s ambition to become nature positive.

The series will shine a light on cutting-edge projects and initiatives placing nature at the heart of action, meeting inspiring individuals and organisations driving progress in skills, research, innovation, technology, and ethical practices.

Stories will unveil efforts underway to prioritise nature across every aspect of construction, from the sourcing and processing of materials, to new methods of construction both on and off-site. The series will celebrate projects that are excelling in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), addressing embodied biodiversity, and maximising adaptive reuse, while also highlighting that the industry needs to do more.

The Nature of Building: Biodiversity & the Built Environment will launch on World Habitat Day, 7th October 2024. It will then be promoted through an extensive digital marketing and communications campaign, with tailored content for specific global audiences including CIOB members and the global construction industry, adjacent professions, academia, young people and the general public.

Amanda Williams, Head of Environmental Sustainability at CIOB, said: “As we face an accelerating crisis in biodiversity loss, we must ensure the built environment industry steps up to the challenge of placing nature at the heart of decision-making. We are delighted to be partnering with CWP to inspire our industry to increase ambition and accelerate progress towards a nature positive future.”

Max Smith, Founder & Managing Director, CWP, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for us, in partnership with CIOB, to pioneer a new era of construction that harmonises with nature, setting the stage for a sustainable future. We’re looking forward to giving those already leading the way a platform to share their stories, raise awareness of the issues and opportunities, and provide an impetus for action across the industry and beyond." 

CWP is a strategic content creator that works in partnership with leading member bodies and associations; engaging professionals on their industries' contribution to a better society and a healthier planet. 

Organisations interested in contributing to the series should contact Millie Gallagher, Series Development Lead at CWP to learn more: [email protected]