Here, you'll actually turn green with envy.
Our strategic focus areas Space for bees and flowers is about taking responsibility for the natural environment we impact as a real estate company – both through land use and resource consumption.
The initiative has two tracks. On the one hand, we are working to strengthen biodiversity in the outdoor areas of our properties. On the other hand, we are focusing on responsible use of resources and a more circular approach to operation and maintenance. Overall, this contributes to greener surroundings, more robust properties, and better conditions for those who use them.
We are not there yet. But we have set the direction and are working in a structured manner to develop the initiative over time in recognition of the biodiversity crisis we find ourselves in.
Why is biodiversity a focus area?
Nature in Denmark is under pressure. Urban development, intensive land use, and resource consumption mean that ecosystems are becoming fragmented and that plants and insects are losing their contiguous habitats.
As a real estate player, we have a significant footprint. This applies not only to the land we build on, but also to the materials we use in refurbishments, renovations, and new construction. Raw materials, production, and transport affect nature and biodiversity far beyond the individual property.
That is why biodiversity for us is not just about redesigning outdoor areas. It is also about reducing our environmental footprint through more responsible material choices, better resource utilization, and a more circular approach to operations and project development.
At the same time, we have the opportunity to make a positive contribution. By rethinking outdoor spaces and creating natural stepping stones, we can strengthen local ecosystems in urban areas. Green surroundings not only provide better conditions for insects and plant species. They also create a framework for well-being and community for those who use the properties in their everyday lives.
Biodiversity on our commercial properties
The strategy
At our commercial properties, we have launched a systematic biodiversity initiative with a clear ambition:
- At least 20% of outdoor areas must actively contribute to biodiversity.
- The initiatives must be measurable and capable of being developed over time.
- Nature must be considered alongside functionality, aesthetics, and usability.
The work is based on our biodiversity catalog, which sets out principles and frameworks for how we develop outdoor areas across properties. We compile the catalog for each individual property as the initiative unfolds.
To create a common and documentable basis, we work with the biodiversity index developed by DEAS and Gottlieb Anlægsgartner. This provides us with a tool for assessing the quality and development of nature on our land over time.
What we do in practice
Our biodiversity efforts and initiatives vary from property to property. Our service team uses their expertise in biodiversity and landscaping, in conjunction with our strategic toolbox, to create attractive outdoor areas on our commercial properties – for the benefit of our tenants and nature's smallest inhabitants. Measures include:
- Conversion of grassland to wild planting
- Natural areas with varied vegetation and higher biodiversity scores
- Green atrium courtyards and lounge areas with a variety of plants
- Stone walls and gabion walls
- Mirror pools and water holes, where possible
- Plant selection based on soil conditions and native species
The measures are always tailored to the location and potential of each individual property in terms of biodiversity score and land area measurement in accordance with our obligations through our partnership with the Danish Society for Nature Conservation via the Butterfly Partnership. We also work with biodiversity in collaboration with local actors and municipalities. One example is our collaboration with Rødovre Municipality, where in 2025 we jointly put biodiversity on the agenda for commercial and residential areas.
In the residential area, we have established a 15,000 m² wildflower meadow in Ammendrup Park. Biodiversity is an integral part of the overall concept, where green and recreational areas support both nature and community.
Biodiversity as a cross-cutting priority area
Biodiversity is not just about plants. It is also about how we use materials and resources in practice.
Rainwater as a resource
We collect rainwater on a large part of our properties and reuse it for watering outdoor areas. This reduces the use of drinking water and supports more responsible operations.
Nursery and plant rotation
Plants that require extra care are given a well-deserved vacation in our own nursery, and once they are thriving again, they are moved to our properties. This reduces the need for new purchases and extends the life of the plants.
Recycling of materials in the landscape
Natural stone from Ammendrup Park, among other places, has been reused for stone walls at commercial properties. Materials are given a new purpose rather than being discarded.
Case: Flower boxes combine biodiversity, social responsibility, and recycling
As part of our biodiversity efforts, we collaborate with Grennessminde in Taastrup, a social enterprise that creates employment opportunities for young people with special needs.
Here, flower boxes are produced from recycled wood, which are placed on our properties and planted with perennial and insect-friendly species. The boxes contribute to variety and habitats in outdoor areas and are also a concrete example of circular thinking in practice.
The collaboration brings together three dimensions of our responsibility work:
- Biodiversity: Flower boxes are planted with native and insect-friendly plant species.
- Material reuse: The flower boxes are made from surplus wood from our renovation projects.
- Social sustainability: Through this project, we contribute to youth employment and support their skills development.
In this way, the case is a good example of a simple solution that strengthens responsible practices across the board.
A focus area in development
Biodiversity and responsible resource use are anchored in our double materiality analysis, in which we have assessed both our impact on nature and ecosystems and the risks and opportunities associated with this area.
We know that our environmental impact is not only about outdoor areas, but also to a large extent about materials, construction work, renovations, and new construction. This is where a significant part of our overall environmental footprint and impact arises. That is why we are gradually developing our approach to material selection, circularity, and resource use, so that our efforts are not only about the visible outdoor space, but also about our overall environmental footprint.
The complexity is high, and the effect develops over time. Therefore, we prioritize initiatives where we can take concrete action here and now – while strengthening our methods, data basis, and collaboration in the value chain.
The social dimension of our ESG work
Responsibility is not just about nature and resources. As a real estate player, we also influence people, both in our own organization and throughout the value chain. That is why we work to ensure proper working conditions, clear requirements for suppliers, and a working environment where well-being and performance go hand in hand.
