Case study · Industry

Four plants, one matrix to decide where to act first

Thales Alenia Space mapped, prioritised and monitored biodiversity across 4 Italian industrial sites with 7 IoT devices and the XNatura platform, transforming its industrial footprint into a quantifiable ecological asset compliant with major reporting frameworks.

Client: Thales Alenia Space
Sector: Industry

Aerospace has a ground footprint that nature does not ignore

The aerospace sector impacts biodiversity through facilities with high land consumption, atmospheric emissions and surface waterproofing, which fragment habitats and reduce ecological connectivity between different ecosystems. Species loss, soil degradation and microclimate alterations compromise ecosystems' natural ability to regulate water, temperature and climate resilience. The sector depends on intact ecosystems for maintaining environmental stability and natural support for infrastructure distributed across the territory.

The challenge

An objective snapshot of all sites to know where to act first

Thales Alenia Space needed an objective biodiversity snapshot across Italian sites to build a prioritisation matrix based on MSA, air quality and protected areas. Verifiable data was also needed for ESG reporting under TNFD, GRI and SBTN and awareness initiatives embedding biodiversity into corporate culture.

What we did

Satellite assessment, IoT and multi-site dashboard

XNatura responded with a four-year project combining remote analysis, field monitoring and educational pathways.

In the field

How we did it

From satellite analysis to continuous monitoring

A four-year project starting from portfolio assessment to stakeholder engagement.

01Remote Sensing analysis across 4 Italian sitesThe project started with an assessment conducted through Remote Sensing on the four key sites: Turin, Rome, L'Aquila and Gorgonzola. The analysis mapped the current state of biodiversity, land use, proximity to protected areas and climate risks of each site.
027 IoT devices distributed across priority sitesBased on the prioritisation, 7 proprietary XNatura IoT devices were installed at the sites with the greatest monitoring needs: 5 Spectrum sensors for bioacoustic pollinator detection (distributed across Turin, Rome, Gorgonzola and L'Aquila) and 2 PollyX for continuous particulate monitoring of PM 2.5 and PM 10, installed at the Rome and L'Aquila sites where air quality was a critical indicator.
03XNatura multi-site dashboard across 28.6 hectaresData from the 7 sensors flows into the XNatura Environmental Platform, which integrates them with satellite analyses and AI algorithms. Thales Alenia Space has a multi-site dashboard with comparative indicators on biodiversity (MSA, land use, KBA), air quality, climate risk and microclimate for each site, compliant with TNFD, GRI and SBTN frameworks, directly integrable into the group ESG strategy.
04Stakeholder and employee engagementThe project included the creation of Green Terraces and biodiversity trails at the sites, with specific installations and educational itineraries designed to make the relationship between industrial activity and ecosystems tangible. A structured pathway to integrate biodiversity into corporate culture, involving employees, partners and visitors.
05Biodiversity Strategy and site-specific action plansConsolidation of collected data into a complete Biodiversity Strategy, with site-specific regeneration action plans based on the prioritisation of risks and opportunities.

What the data says

The monitoring data

The project addressed Thales Alenia Space's initial needs on all fronts: a portfolio assessment that generated a prioritisation matrix, a multi-site monitoring system with KPIs integrable into ESG reporting, and an awareness programme that made biodiversity part of the corporate culture.

Monitoring in action

Key sections of the XNatura Environmental Platform dedicated to the Thales Alenia Space project.

Sites OverviewComparative overview of the 4 Italian sites: location, monitored hectares, installed devices and key indicators for each facility.

Site PrioritisationPrioritisation matrix based on MSA, proximity to protected areas, climate risks and air quality to guide intervention decisions.

State of BiodiversityComparative biodiversity indices across the 4 sites: land use, natural coverage, Mean Species Abundance (MSA) and Key Biodiversity Areas.

Air QualityData from the 2 PollyX sensors: PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulate levels at the Rome and L'Aquila sites, constant air quality monitoring.

The platform

Access the XNatura Environmental Platform

The platform with which Thales Alenia Space monitors biodiversity, air quality and climate risks across all Italian sites.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What was the environmental challenge at Thales Alenia Space?

Aerospace has a ground footprint that nature does not ignore. The aerospace sector impacts biodiversity through facilities with high land consumption, atmospheric emissions and surface waterproofing, which fragment habitats and reduce ecological connectivity between different ecosystems. Species loss, soil degradation and microclimate alterations compromise ecosystems' natural ability to regulate water, temperature and climate resilience. The sector depends on intact ecosystems for maintaining environmental stability and natural support for infrastructure distributed across the territory.

What method did XNatura use at Thales Alenia Space?

A four-year project starting from portfolio assessment to stakeholder engagement.

What data came out of the Thales Alenia Space project?

The data comes from the XNatura Environmental Platform and the 7 IoT devices installed at the Turin, Rome, L'Aquila and Gorgonzola sites. The 338 pollinators were detected by 5 Spectrum sensors through bioacoustic analysis, while 2 PollyX constantly monitor particulate levels at the Rome and L'Aquila sites. The project addressed Thales Alenia Space's initial needs on all fronts: a portfolio assessment that generated a prioritisation matrix, a multi-site monitoring system with KPIs integrable into ESG reporting, and an awareness programme that made biodiversity part of the corporate culture.

What access does Thales Alenia Space have to the XNatura platform now?

The platform with which Thales Alenia Space monitors biodiversity, air quality and climate risks across all Italian sites.

Want to map and monitor biodiversity at your industrial sites?

XNatura supports multi-site industrial groups in projects combining satellite assessment, IoT monitoring and educational pathways, with measurable results compliant with major reporting frameworks.

Want to map and monitor biodiversity at your industrial sites?

XNatura supports multi-site industrial groups in projects combining satellite assessment, IoT monitoring and educational pathways, with measurable results compliant with major reporting frameworks.

Assess your assets