Background
Goldbeck is a leading construction company in Germany, specializing in industrial, office, and logistics buildings, with a portfolio spanning numerous commercial properties across the country. The company recognized that while buildings themselves are carefully valued and managed, the natural elements of their properties - from soil quality to water management systems - lacked proper measurement and valuation methods. This made informed decisions about property improvements based on the natural capital difficult and to show the return on investment for ecological enhancements.
How it works
Goldbeck implemented a structured approach to enhance the natural capital of their properties. The process began with selecting pilot sites that offered diverse insights for the entire portfolio. This was followed by establishing a robust measurement framework in collaboration with The Landbanking Group, which included environmental DNA analysis and carbon assessment. Data collection was then carried out across 38 hectares, ensuring comprehensive documentation of natural capital stocks. Finally, ongoing monitoring was initiated to continuously track and analyze natural capital values, allowing for adaptive management and strategic ecological investments.
Step 1: Site Selection
The initial phase focused on selecting representative pilot properties that would provide valuable insights for the broader portfolio. Key considerations included:
- Property size and type diversity to test measurement systems across different scenarios
- Mix of developed sites and new developments to understand baseline differences
- Geographic distribution to account for regional variations
This careful selection process led to the inclusion of the Werk Kirchberg development and additional commercial sites in the pilot program.
Step 2: Measurement Framework
Working with The Landbanking Group, Goldbeck established comprehensive measurement protocols that would provide actionable data. The framework includes:
- Environmental DNA analysis: To assess biodiversity and soil health at a microscopic level
- Below ground carbon assessment: To understand carbon storage capacity and soil structure
- Water holding capacity: To evaluate drainage efficiency and water management potential
- Biodiversity indicators: To track species diversity and ecosystem health
These measurements were selected to provide both immediate insights and long-term tracking capabilities.
Step 3: Data Collection
The data collection phase spans over 38 hectares of commercial property, incorporating:
- Regular soil sampling and analysis
- Installation of monitoring equipment for continuous data collection
- Systematic documentation of existing natural features
- Integration of historical property data with new measurements
This comprehensive approach ensures that all relevant natural capital aspects are captured and measured.
Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring
The monitoring phase represents a shift from periodic assessments to continuous tracking of natural capital values. This includes:
- Regular data collection and analysis of key indicators
- Quarterly assessment of trends and changes
- Integration of seasonal variations into analysis
- Adjustment of measurement protocols based on initial findings
Note: This project is still in progress. Additional results and specific improvements will be documented as they become available.
Next step: Action
Based on the natural capital measurements collected through Landler, Goldbeck is developing a strategic approach to property enhancement that includes:
- Identifying high-impact improvement opportunities across the portfolio
- Prioritizing investments based on potential value creation
- Developing property-specific enhancement plans
- Creating standardized methods for evaluating green infrastructure investments
This data-driven approach will allow for strategic investments in green infrastructure across their portfolio, ensuring that each improvement contributes to both ecological value and property performance.
