Measure HQ impact, regenerate where nature can respond
Novo Nordisk built an ESG pathway across two complementary sites: scientific monitoring of the Rome headquarters to quantify its impact and the Oasis in Tuscany to actively regenerate biodiversity, with Spectrum sensors, 100 nectar-bearing plants and data integrated into the same platform.
monitored
installed
planted
Pharmaceuticals depend on nature, and nature needs protection
Pharma depends on ecosystem stability more than it seems. Raw materials, water quality and climate regulation are services the supply chain relies on. Biodiversity loss threatens these resources: fewer pollinators, degraded soils and microclimate shifts raise costs. CSRD and TNFD require scientific measurement.
Novo Nordisk started from its Italian HQ, quantifying the Rome site footprint and creating value through an oasis and arboretum in Tuscany, integrating biodiversity monitoring into its ESG pathway.
From ecological footprint to measurable regeneration
Novo Nordisk wanted to understand its ecological impact at the Rome HQ, a fully urbanised site, with scientific data for ESG reporting.
The goal was to generate measurable biodiversity through a monitored oasis with pre and post data, turning results into a corporate culture tool for employees.
Assessment, regeneration and monitoring across two sites
XNatura designed monitoring across two complementary sites — Rome HQ for impact and the Tuscany Oasis to regenerate — with IoT and certified protocol.
From assessment to measurable regeneration
A three-year pathway integrating satellite analysis, habitat regeneration, IoT monitoring and corporate engagement, with scientific data and reporting compliant with major international frameworks.
Remote Sensing of HQ and Oasis
Satellite analysis with Remote Sensing of both sites. The Rome headquarters revealed a highly urbanised context, with almost entirely impermeabilised soil and absence of natural coverage. The Oasis in Tuscany presented a pre-regeneration baseline with biodiversity and tree density values from which to define intervention priorities.
100 nectar-bearing plants and technological beehive
In the Oasis in Tuscany, 100 native nectar-bearing plants were planted to create an arboretum dedicated to biodiversity. Simultaneously, a Hive-Tech technological beehive was installed whose bees serve both as ecosystem bioindicators and nectar production tools. The combination of plants and beehive transformed the agricultural area into a rich and diversified habitat for pollinators.
Bioacoustic sensors and integrated platform
Installation of bioacoustic Spectrum sensors at the Rome headquarters for continuous pollinator monitoring in the urban area. Data from Spectrum, Hive-Tech beehive and post-regeneration satellite analysis of the Oasis converge into the XNatura Environmental Platform, enabling comparison of pre and post-intervention values and verification of regeneration effectiveness.
From data to employee engagement
The collected data feeds Novo Nordisk Italy's ESG pathway, with reporting compliant with CSRD, TNFD and GBF frameworks. Continuous monitoring becomes an engagement tool for employees, who actively participate in pollinator protection activities and arboretum care. The goal is to consolidate the model and integrate it into the company's global Circular for Zero strategy.
Impact measured across both sites
Rome HQ
Rome HQ
Tuscany Oasis
Tuscany Oasis
The Rome headquarters has an MSA Land Use of 5, with 100% of the soil occupied by artificial surfaces. The distance from the control area value is Δ 22, a structural gap linked to the completely urbanised context that does not allow on-site regeneration. This data guided Novo Nordisk's strategy towards a two-speed approach: monitoring HQ to quantify the impact and focusing regeneration where nature can respond.
The Oasis in Tuscany starts with an MSA Land Use of 52, ten times higher than the headquarters, with a distance from control of Δ 20. The gap is similar, but the context is opposite: permeable soil, existing vegetation cover and favourable conditions for ecological growth. The 100 nectar-bearing trees and the Hive-Tech beehive are the first interventions to progressively reduce this distance, with data measuring their effectiveness over time. The same methodology applied to both sites allows Novo Nordisk to distinguish where to act and where the focus must remain on mitigation.
Monitoring in action
Key sections of the XNatura Environmental Platform dedicated to Novo Nordisk sites.
State of biodiversity
MSA index pre and post Oasis regeneration (27.1% → 52%), nesting sites, floral availability, Natural Patches and proximity to protected areas for both sites.
Pollinator monitoring
Bioacoustic census via 3 Spectrum sensors at the Rome headquarters: 10 clusters identified, abundance, diversity and seasonal trends of pollinators in the urban area.
Microclimate
Surface temperature (42.9°C Rome HQ), aridity, light pollution (72.5) and microclimatic parameters of the Oasis in Tuscany compared with the urban context of the headquarters.
Hydrogeological risk
Flood risk (level 3 Oasis, level 2 Rome HQ), landslide risk and hydrogeological analysis of both areas for mitigation intervention planning.
Access the XNatura Environmental Platform
The platform with which Novo Nordisk monitors biodiversity at the Rome headquarters and the Oasis in Tuscany.
Want to monitor biodiversity at your corporate site?
XNatura supports pharmaceutical and industrial companies in monitoring and regenerating biodiversity, with IoT technology, satellite analysis and certified protocols, measuring impact with scientific data integrated into the ESG pathway.
Contact us for information about the platform or for specialized consulting in the environmental field.