CIRIA's aim is to provide knowledge sharing and best practice across the construction industry. To help us achieve this in biodiversity, the Biodiversity Interest Group (BIG) was formed in 2012. In 2022 it evolved into a Community of Practice, providing a great opportunity to come together and share information, discuss key topics, network, and help shape CIRIA's work in biodiversity and beyond.

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A new Biodiversity Community of Practice

The aim of CIRIA Biodiversity Community of Practice (CoP) is to provide a knowledge platform for biodiversity practitioners within the construction industry. Biodiversity CoP members include a wide range of built environment industry experts such as clients, consultants, contractors and ecologists.

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Context

Since 2012 the legislative context has evolved. Biodiversity Net Gain is mandatory in England, and biodiversity tools are available to better understand the impacts of projects on natural habitats.

 

 

What we stand for

We believe that environmental and sustainability practitioners have a vital role to play in building on the UN Sustainability Goals related to Biodiversity and the government’s legislation and regulations aimed at improving biodiversity.

 

We see biodiversity as a key issue that needs a clearer understanding within the industry; that should be an integrated part of a construction project.

 

We want a strong and innovative uptake of Biodiversity Net Gain principles within organisations, and we aspire for biodiversity enhancements to be seen as simple, affordable and achievable.

 

We believe collaboration is key, and that promotion and knowledge transfer will help improve the outcomes for biodiversity within construction and the built environment.

 

The BIG Biodiversity Challenge gives our industry the opportunity to become leaders in biodiversity enhancement and to encourage new ways of incorporating biodiversity into our towns and cities.

 

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What does the Community of Practice do?

CIRIA Biodiversity CoP is a network of industry experts from clients, contractors and consultants, engaged with biodiversity developments, achievements in the industry, government initiatives and more.

 

The community shares knowledge from different sectors and focuses on what tangible outputs can be delivered such as guidance, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. A collaborative initiative, the CoP works for the greater good and is altruistic in its activities.

 

The Biodiversity CoP steers and manages the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards. This includes a series of webinars providing in-depth case studies of winning projects/champions and culminates with the awards ceremony in September.

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​​​The community meets 3 to 4 times a year to discuss biodiversity topics with the aim of producing valuable outputs for the industry. A series of themed webinars is designed and led by the CoP throughout the year, and members collaboratively discuss biodiversity priorities that can be shaped into new guidance document(s).