Measuring biodiversity
Ramboll’s biodiversity metrics quantify habitat value to support net positive outcomes for nature.
Using biodiversity metrics for net positive outcomes
There is a growing need for companies to understand and reduce their impacts on biodiversity, and for international organisations to evaluate and prioritise assets across global portfolios. But measuring impacts across the variety of habitats around the world is challenging due to ecosystem complexity, biological and climatic diversity, site-specific contexts, and varying protection statuses.
Ramboll’s biodiversity metrics, and other similar metrics, are tools for assessing biodiversity value and informing management decisions that minimise harm while maximising the returns on actions intended to increase biodiversity. They offer a transparent and repeatable methodology that underpins land management, planning and development decisions, and science-based targets, in line with the mitigation hierarchy.
What does net gain look like?
There has been a gap in metrics for robustly measuring land use changes, until now. Ramboll has expanded the application of the Natural England Biodiversity Metric to an Americas Biodiversity Metric (ABM) using the NatureServe International Vegetation Classification System, and a Global Biodiversity Metric (GBM) using the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology.
There are many biodiversity metrics to choose from, often focusing on the most valuable biodiversity. However, to protect and restore biodiversity by 2030, as per the Global Biodiversity Framework, we must halt the loss of biodiversity value from all natural, semi-natural and urban habitats. By including consideration of habitat extent and condition, the Natural England and Ramboll metrics align with the State of Nature Metrics Framework proposed by the Nature Positive Initiative.
Choosing a Ramboll metric
Ramboll’s Americas Biodiversity Metric initially focuses on habitat quantification in the northeastern US (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and serves as the foundation of our regional approach. Expansion to additional geographies in the US, Canada and Mexico will continue through 2025.
Ramboll’s Global Biodiversity Metric is a first-of-its-kind global habitats metric. It allows quantification of both positive and negative land use impacts regardless of location or habitat type. The GBM enables comparison of biodiversity action across geographies in relation to corporate biodiversity targets, and will fill gaps where country-specific metrics are needed but remain unavailable.
Both of Ramboll’s biodiversity metrics are open source. The global community has a considerable task ahead to halt biodiversity loss, and to succeed we must work together.
Biodiversity Q&A
Need help with biodiversity metrics?
Unlock the potential of biodiversity metrics with our team of biodiversity specialists. Whether looking to effectively assess biodiversity, quantifiably improve biodiversity via management practices, or set targets for nature, our team can provide tailored guidance to achieve your goals.
Vikki Patton
Global Metrics Lead
+44 7870 361417
Dan Rockefeller
US Biodiversity Specialist
+1 315-400-5898
Cara Quinn
Asia-Pacific Impact Assessment Specialist
+65 6958 2328