B5 – Biodiversity

🗂️ VSME Basic Module – Environment metrics, page 9-10

The undertaking shall disclose the number and area (in hectares) of sites that it owns, has leased, or manages in or near a biodiversity sensitive area.
The undertaking may disclose metrics related to land-use:

(a) total use of land (in hectares);

(b) total sealed area;

(d) total nature-oriented area off-site.

🗂️ VSME Basic Module Guidance – Environmental Metrics, page 28-30

Guidance on how to identify sites in or near biodiversity sensitive areas

Paragraph 33 stipulates that the undertaking shall disclose the sites it operates in that are located in or near biodiversity-sensitive areas. Biodiversity sensitive areas are defined as such by special nature protection regulation at European or international level. These comprise areas belonging to the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, UNESCO World Heritage sites and Key Biodiversity Areas (‘KBAs’) as well as other protected areas designated as requiring special protection by governmental authorities (e.g. forest-protected areas or areas lying within river basin districts).
To identify protected areas and biodiversity sensitive areas, the undertaking may refer to databases such as the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) (a global database to help identify marine and terrestrial protected areas), the World Database on Key Biodiversity Areas, and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The undertaking may also use tools such as the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT).
Near, in the context of B5 – Biodiversity, shall refer to an area that is (partially) overlapping or adjacent to a biodiversity sensitive area.
The following table shows how information on sites in or near biodiversity sensitive areas can be presented.

Location	Area (hectares)	Biodiversity sensitive Area	Specification (located in/near biodiversity sensitive areas)
Country – Site name 1
Country – Site name 2
Country – Site name 3
…

Documentation Sources:

Natura 2000 Network of protected areas https://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/

UNESCO – World Heritage Centre https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/

Guidance on how to calculate and report land***-use***

A ‘sealed area’ is to be understood as an area where the original soil has been covered (e.g. roads, buildings, parking lots), making it impermeable and resulting in an impact on the environment.
Green area or ‘nature-oriented area’ is an area that primarily preserves or restores nature. Near natural/green areas may be located on the organisation’s site and may include roofs, facades, water-drainage systems or other features designed, adapted or managed to promote biodiversity. Near-natural areas may also be located off the organisation’s site if they are owned or managed by the organisation and primarily serve to promote biodiversity.
When disclosing according to paragraph 34, the undertaking shall not only consider local impacts but also direct and indirect impacts on biodiversity (e.g. through raw material extraction, procurement, supply chain, production and products, transportation and logistics, and marketing and communications).
The following table shows how information on how land-use may be presented.

Land-use type	Area (hectares or m2 )
Previous year	Reporting year
Total sealed area
Total natureoriented area on-site
Total natureoriented area off-site
Total use of land

Documentation Sources:

EMAS Guidance