Case study · Cities & real estate
Ecology Report for BREEAM certification
Integrated ecological assessment of two outlet villages to obtain Land Use and Ecology credits for BREEAM In-Use v6 certification.
The hidden ecological impact of large commercial properties
Large commercial buildings directly impact local biodiversity through land consumption, surface sealing, microclimate alteration and habitat fragmentation. They also rely on ecosystem stability for stormwater management, thermal regulation and the liveability of outdoor areas. Biodiversity loss around these properties is not only an environmental risk: it raises management costs, weakens site resilience to extreme weather and hinders the environmental certifications demanded by the market.
The challenge
Compliant ecological assessment to obtain BREEAM LUE credits
RINA Prime Value Services needed a structured ecological assessment to obtain the LUE credits of BREEAM In-Use v6 for the two outlet villages of a client. Required: compliant Ecology Reports , ecological baseline, a biodiversity management plan with measurable KPIs and audit-ready documentation on both sites.
What we did
Field surveys, satellite analysis and biodiversity indices for 3 LUE modules
XNatura performed an integrated ecological assessment on both sites, combining field surveys, satellite analysis and biodiversity indices for three LUE modules.
In the field
How we did it
From assessment to BREEAM documentation
A structured phased approach to produce documentation compliant with Land Use and Ecology credits on two sites simultaneously.
- 01Mapping of the two outlet villagesSatellite analysis mapped the combined 43 hectares of the two sites, producing an overview of land cover, vegetation indices and the ecological potential of planted areas and influence zones. These data defined the analysis perimeter for LUE credits and guided the field surveys.
- 02Ecological census for LUE 02Field surveys recorded planted areas, plant species richness and pollinator communities present at both sites. Data collected via the Biodiversa app defined the ecological value baseline for each outlet village, the reference against which to measure future improvements.
- 03Documentation for LUE 03 and LUE 04Satellite data and field surveys were combined into two Ecology Reports compliant with the BREEAM In-Use v6 protocol, one for each site. For the LUE 04 credit, a five-year Biodiversity Management Plan was drafted with measurable ecological KPIs, improvement targets and operational guidelines for green area management during operation.
- 04From static report to tracking over timeData flows into the XNatura Environmental Platform, where site managers can track the evolution of ecological indicators over time and verify achievement of targets defined in the Biodiversity Management Plan. The goal is to move from point-in-time certification to continuous monitoring, producing updated evidence for future BREEAM audit cycles.
What the data says
BREEAM credits documented
The assessment produced documentation compliant with the three Land Use and Ecology credits required by BREEAM In-Use v6 certification: LUE 02 for ecological characteristics of planted areas, LUE 03 for Ecology Reports with habitat monitoring, LUE 04 for the biodiversity management plan. The two Ecology Reports, one for Serravalle and one for Noventa di Piave, were validated and prepared for audit processes.
The five-year Biodiversity Management Plan defines measurable ecological KPIs and improvement targets for both sites, providing managers with an operational tool for natural asset protection during operation. Data collected via the Biodiversa app and satellite analyses flow into the XNatura platform, where they can be updated and tracked over time for future certification cycles.
Monitoring in action
Monitoring in action
Key sections of the XNatura Environmental Platform dedicated to the sites.
The platform
Access the XNatura Environmental Platform
The platform RINA Prime Value Services and its client use to monitor the ecological status of the two outlet villages and track Biodiversity Management Plan targets.
Log in to the platform →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What was the environmental challenge at RINA Prime Value Services?
The hidden ecological impact of large commercial properties. Large commercial buildings directly impact local biodiversity through land consumption, surface sealing, microclimate alteration and habitat fragmentation. They also rely on ecosystem stability for stormwater management, thermal regulation and the liveability of outdoor areas. Biodiversity loss around these properties is not only an environmental risk: it raises management costs, weakens site resilience to extreme weather and hinders the environmental certifications demanded by the market.
What method did XNatura use at RINA Prime Value Services?
A structured phased approach to produce documentation compliant with Land Use and Ecology credits on two sites simultaneously.
What data came out of the RINA Prime Value Services project?
The assessment produced documentation compliant with the three Land Use and Ecology credits required by BREEAM In-Use v6 certification: LUE 02 for ecological characteristics of planted areas, LUE 03 for Ecology Reports with habitat monitoring, LUE 04 for the biodiversity management plan. The two Ecology Reports, one for Serravalle and one for Noventa di Piave, were validated and prepared for audit processes. The five-year Biodiversity Management Plan defines measurable ecological KPIs and improvement targets for both sites, providing managers with an operational tool for natural asset protection during operation. Data collected via the Biodiversa app and satellite analyses flow into the XNatura platform, where they can be updated and tracked over time for future certification cycles.
What access does RINA Prime Value Services have to the XNatura platform now?
The platform RINA Prime Value Services and its client use to monitor the ecological status of the two outlet villages and track Biodiversity Management Plan targets.
Do you need an Ecology Report for BREEAM certification?
XNatura supports Technical Advisors, property managers and owners in producing Ecology Reports, Biodiversity Management Plans and documentation compliant with BREEAM and LEED Land Use and Ecology credits.
Do you need an Ecology Report for BREEAM certification?
XNatura supports Technical Advisors, property managers and owners in producing Ecology Reports, Biodiversity Management Plans and documentation compliant with BREEAM and LEED Land Use and Ecology credits.
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