Nature Finds a Home with Landsec

Landsec is leading the property sector’s biodiversity shift as an early TNFD adopter, proving that nature-positive development isn’t just possible, it’s the future of real estate.

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With a third of all biodiversity lost worldwide and a 19% decline in UK species since 1970, the imperative for industries to protect and increase nature has never been more pressing. For industries across the board, safeguarding nature is not only a moral responsibility, it’s a business necessity. World Bank reported that the collapse of ecosystem services could cost the world economy $2.7 trillion annually by 2030.

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For the real estate sector the stakes are even higher. Urban development is a leading driver of habitat loss and fragmentation, with forecasts suggesting that the amount of urban land near protected areas is expected to increase, on average, by more than three times between 2000 and 2030. Yet, thriving natural ecosystems are key to climate resilience, community well-being, and long-term asset value. From green roofs that reduce flood risk to biodiverse spaces that boost tenant satisfaction, integrating nature is becoming essential.

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Amidst this global challenge, Landsec has stepped up as a leader, by integrating biodiversity as a core part of its business strategy. As one of the UK's leading real estate companies, they are setting a benchmark for the emerging nature-focused property sector.

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Landsec's Bold Biodiversity Commitments

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Recognising the interwind thread between urban development and environmental health, Landsec launched its nature strategy in 2024. The initiative is structured around three core principles:

1. Increasing Biodiversity: Landsec aims to achieve measurable Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) across its developments and operational sites. They have set targets for a 25% biodiversity net gain by 2030 at selected operational sites and a 15% uplift in biodiversity for all new developments within the same timeframe.
2. Promoting Health, Well-being, and Community Engagement: Landsec has committed to creating and maintaining high-quality green spaces that foster social interaction and connect urban populations with nature. To assess the benefits of these initiatives, it is evaluating the health and community advantages derived from enhanced natural environments.
3. Nature-Based Solutions: By integrating nature-based solutions into urban spaces, Landsec addresses climate resilience and supports its net-zero ambitions. This includes incorporating green infrastructure that not only enhances biodiversity but also contributes to climate adaptation strategies to support nature. In practice, this means implementing interventions such as rain gardens, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and ground-level planting to reduce surface flood risk. They also incorporate biodiverse façades and roof-based greening to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling in buildings, helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect.

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To guide these efforts, Landsec uses the Urban Greening Factor (UGF), a metric that measures how effectively green infrastructure delivers ecosystem services like permeability, cooling, and air purification. The UGF is scored on a scale from 0 to 1, where 0 represents no greening and 1 represents maximum greening potential across a site. This helps quantify the extent and quality of green infrastructure in a consistent, measurable way. Landsec has set a minimum UGF target of 0.3 for all new developments, and aims for an average of 0.15 across their operational portfolio. Projects are also required to integrate multiple green infrastructure typologies, such as vertical greening, species-rich meadows, and tree canopy cover, specifically selected for climate mitigation and resilience.

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These nature-based solutions are embedded into the design process through Landsec’s Sustainable Development Toolkit, and monitored for impact through site-specific nature action plans.

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Early Adoption of the TNFD Framework

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Landsec's proactive approach is further exemplified by its early adoption of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. By aligning with TNFD recommendations, Landsec demonstrates transparency in reporting nature-related risks and opportunities. This positions the company at the forefront of sustainable innovation within the UKs real estate sector.

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The TNFD is a global initiative designed to help organisations assess, disclose, and manage their dependencies and impacts on nature, similar to how the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) transformed climate risk reporting. It provides a structured approach for businesses to integrate nature into financial and strategic decision-making, enabling them to future-proof operations and maintain investor confidence.

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For a sector like real estate, so heavily dependent on land use which is a major driver of biodiversity loss, the TNFD matters. It creates a clear framework to understand how changes in ecosystems can affect asset values, operational risk, and long-term viability. Landsec’s early adoption signals leadership, recognising that nature is not an externality but a vital component of business resilience and performance.

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Nature’s More Than a Stakeholder, She’s the One Holding the Roof Up

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The real estate industry has a significant impact on biodiversity through land use changes, habitat fragmentation, and resource consumption. Land use conversion, especially from natural or semi-natural ecosystems to built environments, is one of the leading drivers of biodiversity loss, accounting for more than 30% of global species decline, according to IPBES (the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). But ironically, the sector is heavily reliant on ecosystem services such as air purification, climate regulation, and natural resources, which enhance property desirability and value. Protecting biodiversity is not only an environmental responsibility but a business imperative for long-term viability and survival.

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Nature Is in the New Blueprint

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Landsec's initiatives serve as a model for the real estate sector, illustrating that economic development and environmental stewardship can coexist. By embedding biodiversity into its corporate strategy, Landsec not only contributes to ecological preservation but also adds long-term value to its assets and communities. Their comprehensive approach underscores the critical role that the real estate sector plays in addressing biodiversity loss. Their strategies have set a high standard for integrating nature-positive actions in the real estate sector and beyond.

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At Xylo Systems, we admire leadership of companies such as Landsec, which pave the way for a more sustainable future. Our mission aligns with these efforts, as we provide technology-driven solutions to help companies measure, manage, and mitigate their biodiversity impact efficiently. Interested in paving the way like Landsec? Get in touch with our team.

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