Florius takes practical steps to restore biodiversity

ABN AMRO aims to support its clients in making the transition to a sustainable future. One of the biggest challenges facing the world today is the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. Biodiversity is defined as the variety of all forms of life on earth – from microorganisms and fungi to plants and animals. Only 70 percent of all original biodiversity in the world still exists. But according to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), biodiversity in the Netherlands has declined to just 15 percent. The good news is that each of us can do our part to help restore it.

A simple first step

Making a start doesn’t have to be complicated. Innovation Manager Hilde van Egmond is one of the bank’s employees who is shining a light on biodiversity. Two years ago, she and co-workers from other departments at ABN AMRO launched a project to raise awareness of an issue that few knew much about at the time.

“My colleagues and I got to know one another through the Frontrunner Challenge, an internal programme for employees to develop sustainable ideas,” says Hilde. “We all shared a passion for the natural world and felt it should play more of a central role at the bank. I soon came to realise that the issue of conservation is one we should all be taking much more seriously. The loss of biodiversity can have catastrophic effects on human life and the world around us. I learned from experts that it can result in a lack of clean drinking water, a higher vulnerability to viruses, less protection against natural disasters, fewer recreational facilities and activities, increased air pollution and a threat to food production and consumption.

“It was only after learning the facts that I realised just how much our well-being and economy depend on the environment. That’s why I was shocked to read that biodiversity in the Netherlands is in such a terrible state. Because the situation is so dire, each of us needs to be doing a lot at home to turn things around. Fortunately, experts say it’s not too late. The restoration of biodiversity is a complex issue affecting us all, but luckily it’s easy to take a first step and make a difference right away.”

Climate forest

The project has led to the bank’s mortgage subsidiary Florius having launched multiple concrete initiatives. At the beginning of the year, for instance, Florius planted a climate forest on Dutch soil with the aim of restoring biodiversity locally and beyond. The forest is home to a variety of indigenous tree and plant species, occupying two conifer plots with a total surface area of 1.3 hectares at the Wagensveld Estate in the Gelderse Valley (central Netherlands). The aim is to make a positive ecological impact in three ways. Planting flora ensures further CO2 absorption. Restoring degraded land means that healthy, native vegetation can grow, which, in turn, will attract new flora and fauna. Finally, vegetation is chosen specifically to boost water retention in the soil.

Just one year later, the initial ecological impact on flora and fauna, water quality and carbon reduction is visible. Hilde says that’s great, but it’s just a first step: “As an organisation, you don’t want the impact you make to be a one-off. We want our impact to be embedded long-term and at the same time to involve as many people as possible.”

Starting small

Florius wants to encourage its clients to make not only their homes more sustainable, comfortable and conducive to good health, but their immediate environment, too. That’s why it’s launched a campaign to inspire people to start helping to restore biodiversity at home. With the slogan “Beginnen kan klein” (You can start small), Florius now has a special web page featuring concrete tips for use by clients and mortgage advisers. It’s even encouraging its own employees to do their bit at home.

One option is a green sedum roof, which can absorb up to 80 percent of precipitation. Sedum is a natural insulator, too, and keeps the home cool in the summer. Additional benefits include taking pressure off sewer systems during periods of heavy rainfall and providing food for bees and butterflies. On its biodiversity platform, Florius offers even more practical, situation-specific tips. Hilde says, “Whether you’ve got a small or spacious garden, just a balcony, an office garden or no outdoor space at all, you can help restore biodiversity today. Create a facade garden, build an insect hotel – there are so many possibilities. Again, it’s important to remember you can start small.”

Stakeholder dialogues

In addition to the initiatives launched by Florius, ABN AMRO is taking steps to integrate biodiversity more fully into its operations, products and services. In partnership with IUCN NL, the bank organised three stakeholder dialogues in December to ascertain how ABN AMRO can help stop biodiversity loss. These three online round-table discussions were attended by over forty participants including scientists, NGOs and clients. The aims of the discussions were to define the issue, listen to the various participants’ views and further shape the bank’s position and policy.

ABN AMRO is currently working on a biodiversity statement and will be further integrating biodiversity into its financing policy. Taking its cue from the stakeholder dialogues, the bank will first be looking at how it can best promote the growth of green agriculture and nature-inclusive building and design together with its clients. Hilde concludes, “No matter what your living environment is, if we all pay a bit more attention to nature, we’ll achieve the best results and reap the benefits together.”