Why biodiversity is no longer an option – but a necessity.
1. What is the European Taxonomy?
The European Union Taxonomy is a classification system that defines which economic activities can be considered "sustainable" from an environmental perspective. Finance+2CAP Conseil+2
It is based on 6 environmental objectives:
- the mitigation of climate change
- adaptation to climate change
- sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources
- the transition to a circular economy
- the prevention and control of pollution
- the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. KPMG+1For an activity to be "taxonomy-aligned", it must:
- to make a substantial contribution to one of these objectives,
- not cause significant harm (DNSH) to other objectives,
- to respect "minimum safeguards" (social and environmental guarantees). PwC Belgique+1In Belgium, as elsewhere in Europe, this means that companies will soon have to report in their non-financial statement how much their activities are “aligned” with the Taxonomy. PwC Belgique
2. Why the biodiversity aspect?
Biodiversity has become one of the 6 major pillars of European Taxonomy. KPMG
The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 sets ambitious objectives: to put European nature back on a path to restoration by 2030 (reducing soil erosion, restoring habitats, ecological corridors). Environment
For businesses: this means that activities related to nature, soils, water, wildlife, and flora are no longer considered a "bonus", but are officially taken into account in the sustainable classification.
A recent document shows that there is a genuine need to increase investments in "nature-positive" activities (beneficial for biodiversity). sustainablefinanceobservatory.org
3. What is the impact for a business in Belgium?
- Large Belgian companies (industries, finance) are already required to publish their share of revenue / CAPEX / OPEX that is “eligible” and “aligned” according to the Taxonomy. For example, a PwC study notes that for Belgian industrial companies, the eligible share is approximately 29%, with only ~12% currently aligned. PwC Belgique
- From 2024-2025, the scope will expand (with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive CSRD) to many more companies, which means you need to prepare now, even if you are not yet within the scope. KPMG+1
- As a real estate or landscaping company, this means: “Creating a site that is more permeable, more green, and more beneficial to wildlife and flora can now be classified as a sustainable activity according to the Taxonomy — and therefore valued.”
- In summary: managing biodiversity is becoming a strategic asset, not a decorative cost.
4. How to prepare in 3 simple steps
In order to effectively address the biodiversity aspect of the Taxonomy, here is a clear method tailored for Belgian stakeholders.
Step 1: Identify the activities concerned
Look at your property activities, your constructions, your business sites:
- Do your outdoor arrangements include solutions for biodiversity (habitats, corridors, living soils)?
- Do you have any CAPEX or OPEX related to nature?
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Could these activities be "eligible" according to the Taxonomy? (that is to say, potentially sustainable)
→ This step allows for the identification of opportunities.
Step 2: Check the alignment & the data
- For each identified activity: check if it significantly contributes to the objective of “biodiversity / ecosystems”.
- Check that it does not harm other objectives (DNSH).
- Collect data on: vegetated area, number of species, soil permeability, wetlands, etc. A Belgian company can thus create a mini biodiversity dashboard.
Step 3: Document & integrate into your reporting
- Include in your annual report or non-financial statement: share of revenue, CAPEX, OPEX aligned. greenomy.io+1
- Prepare an action plan to increase alignment with the biodiversity objective.
- Communicate to your investors, stakeholders, and internal teams that you have a biodiversity strategy.
5. Why act now?
- The initiative is already underway: the Taxonomy has come into effect and the requirements will expand.
- The market values truly sustainable companies, not those that engage in "greenwashing".
- For landscape professionals or landscapers, you can provide real added value: helping your clients to become "aligned" with the Taxonomy.
- In Belgium, the current low alignment share (12% for certain industries) demonstrates the enormous potential for improvement.
Conclusion
The European Taxonomy is not just a simple document: it changes the way we view, manage, and value activities related to nature and biodiversity.
For a company active in real estate, site development or operation, biodiversity now plays a strategic role: measurement, improvement, reporting.
By adopting a structured approach – identify, align, document – you can move from “are we doing well?” to “we are really doing well for nature and for the business.”