Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a crucial element of our planet’s natural systems, providing essential ecosystem services. The loss of biodiversity has increased significantly in recent years. Over 90 per cent of this loss can be attributed to the following five main factors: soil degradation and habitat destruction, resource exploitation, the climate crisis, environmental pollution and invasive species.

The good news is that the construction industry also has a wide range of opportunities to make a positive contribution. Through biodiversity-friendly planning and targeted restoration measures, new habitats can be created for flora, fauna and fungi. Furthermore, innovative approaches help to protect natural ecosystems and promote biodiversity in the long term.

Projects and measures to protect our ecosystems

STRABAG is currently establishing a Group-wide biodiversity management system and is continuously refining existing management, monitoring and training tools for this purpose. As part of this process, existing biodiversity-promoting measures across the Group were systematically documented in 2025. In addition, the existing biodiversity risk analysis was further developed. As part of the enhanced site-specific risk analysis, 19 sites across the Group with an elevated nature-related risk profile in or near areas of particular ecological sensitivity were identified in 2025.
 
In the area of biodiversity, we are already implementing the following measures:

• At our own extraction sites, we are implementing measures to minimise our ecological footprint and to restore natural habitats. To this end, we liaise closely with local authorities and stakeholders. This includes the creation of replacement biotopes and habitats for bird species and amphibians, grassland management, afforestation and the commissioning of regular ecological assessments. This ensures that interference with nature is minimised, land is used sustainably and key ecosystem services are preserved in the long term.
• For certain construction projects, statutory and regulatory requirements must be complied with, for which environmental impact assessments (EIAs) must be carried out. This ensures that potential environmental impacts are identified during the planning and design phase and that appropriate protection and mitigation measures are implemented. This approach is also applied in the Group’s countries outside the European Union, for example through Environmental Impact Assessments for certain construction projects.
• In the field of transport infrastructure construction in Germany, STRABAG pursues a sustainable construction site concept in line with the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). As part of the certification process, biodiversity criteria are taken into account for construction sites with a duration of more than three months. Measures to promote biodiversity, such as the use of environmentally friendly technologies and processes, the minimisation of soil sealing and consideration for local flora, fauna and fungi, must be adhered to.

These measures are in line with our sustainability strategy and our commitment to minimising negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems. The environmental and energy policy was revised in 2025 and aims, amongst other things, to reduce negative impacts on flora, fauna and fungi, to strengthen biodiversity during relevant project phases and at biodiversity-sensitive sites, and to ensure the responsible use of land and raw materials.