Senate Group aims for no net loss of biodiversity by 2030
“The road map we prepared takes into account different types of property, such as urban environments, sparsely built-up areas and forests. It includes measures to support biodiversity at these properties. To support the work, we are currently developing a set of indicators to enable impact monitoring and reporting,” says Timo Kanerva, Sustainability Director at Senate Group.
Actions at more than 25 sites already
Actions to promote biodiversity are already underway at many Senate Group sites across Finland. The actions include:
- creating meadows to replace grass areas and wasteland
- actively combating invasive alien species
- changing the ways in which property is managed to promote biodiversity
- making use of nature surveys and minimising the impacts of construction and maintenance on the natural environment.
Sustainable construction and increasing the carbon handprint
Sustainability perspectives are taken into account from facilities design to their use. We aim for a 25% reduction in the carbon footprint in newbuild projects and a 15% reduction in renovation compared to conventional construction. Senate has also prepared a model for the preparation of nature surveys. Nature surveys are utilised in construction, maintenance and property development. In addition, biodiversity is taken into account in the Group’s procurements and planning.
“When we increase biodiversity we also increase carbon sequestration in the vegetation and soil at our sites. In 2024, we increased carbon sequestration through biodiversity projects by 630 tCO₂e. Our carbon handprint in the meadowing projects implemented in 2023 and 2024 exceeds 1,000 tCO₂e in total,” Kanerva says.
Nature is not a resource – but a necessity for life
”We aim to give more to nature than we take from it,” Timo Kanerva sums up in his perspective article. As a state property owner, Senate Group bears its responsibility and wants to act as a leader in safeguarding biodiversity.
