Nature-positive strategy and site biodiversity net gain

Ramboll was engaged by a global pharmaceutical company with corporate aspirations to have a net zero impact on climate and a net positive impact on nature by 2030.

As part of the client’s nature positive goals, Ramboll developed a methodology to quantifiably increase biodiversity value at all their key global sites, including creating biodiversity design plans for each one. The sites are in North America, UK, Europe, North Africa and Asia, and are spread across a range of climatic zones with high biodiversity potential. They range in size from small urban spaces to large campuses.

As part of a pilot study in 2021, Ramboll was appointed to establish the biodiversity baseline of the client’s flagship site in England, and to redesign the existing landscape to maximise biodiversity. The site was designed in the 1990s, with large open areas of mown grass and over-mature non-native shrub planting, which had limited biodiversity value. Our landscape proposals transformed this corporate campus using a regenerative design approach informed by biodiversity net gain principles.

The landscape design has a strong focus on biodiversity enhancement and habitat creation – achieving a 40% net gain in biodiversity – whilst maximising opportunities for employees’ interaction with nature.

The scheme consists of two hectares of redesigned landscape areas including the main courtyard, an amphitheatre and terracing orchard, a network of boardwalks and nature interpretation platforms along an existing lake, a new wildlife pond and a perimeter nature trail, incorporating areas of the more valuable woodland on site. Working with the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, we created wildflower meadows and a medicinal garden filled with plants used in pharmaceutical products, providing an important connection between nature and the client's core business.

Ramboll’s scope of work commenced at pre-concept stage, developing a design vision in coordination with the client team to understand ideas, opportunities, and constraints. The visioning proposals were shared and presented to all staff during a biodiversity volunteering event centred around the campus transformation, and online. We subsequently incorporated feedback and progressed with full scope of landscape services (RIBA 3 - 6 and planning).

The client is transforming its workplaces for nature and for employee wellbeing, with the quantified biodiversity data being used to inform their alignment with Science Based Targets for Nature. It is important that the client's biodiversity goals are optimised, achievable, and progress towards them is measurable. This is ensured by the use of biodiversity metrics, design plans, and management plans.