Arcadis has been appointed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) to develop a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Calculator and supporting guidance that will support the development of a practical, transparent and nationally consistent approach to measuring biodiversity outcomes across the built environment.
The framework will support development at building and precinct scales, helping project teams to consistently assess biodiversity value before and after development and demonstrate biodiversity outcomes, including through Green Star Buildings and Green Star Communities.
The project will combine Arcadis' global Biodiversity Net Gain expertise with Australia's unique ecological, regulatory and cultural context. By incorporating local ecological knowledge, First Nations perspectives and Green Star requirements, the framework is being designed to support broad industry adoption while delivering meaningful biodiversity outcomes.
Arcadis brings experience in biodiversity assessment and framework development internationally, together with local ecological, sustainability and First Nations expertise. The methodology will build on established Biodiversity Net Gain principles while remaining practical, proportionate and accessible for industry users.
Andrea Vargas, Principal Consultant at Arcadis said:
"There is growing interest across the built environment in understanding and improving biodiversity outcomes; however, the approaches currently used can vary depending on project type, jurisdiction and assessment requirements. This project provides an opportunity to develop a practical approach that supports greater consistency and transparency within the Green Star framework. By combining Arcadis' global Biodiversity Net Gain expertise with local ecological knowledge and First Nations perspectives, we can help create a framework that delivers meaningful outcomes for nature, communities and future generations."
The project aligns with Arcadis' commitment to accelerating a planet-positive future and reinforces Arcadis’ ongoing focus on nature-positive outcomes and sustainable development. By helping establish a nationally consistent methodology for biodiversity assessment, the framework has the potential to influence how biodiversity is considered across future buildings, precincts and infrastructure projects throughout Australia.
