G-31 (Buildings) / G-29 (Products) Biodiversity indicator

*Aspect*		G-31 (Buildings) / G-29 (Products) Biodiversity indicator
*Description*		The loss of species and their diversity caused by destruction of their habitat has become one of the pivotal topics of environmental political actions in recent years. For years the scientific community has been working on completing a portfolio of considered environmental impacts, including taking biodiversity into account as a subject of protection.Which indicator and which methodology should be used?
*related study objective*		☒ stand-alone LCA		☒ comparative assertion
*related study phase*		☐	☐	☒	☐	☐
		goal and scope definition	inventory analysis (LCI)	impact assessment (LCIA)	interpretation	reporting
*relevant for*
	new buildings	existing buildings	building products	screening LCA	simplified LCA	complete LCA
*Provisions*	Adopt provision of the indicators mentioned in EN 15804 and EN 15978. The standards explicitly exclude biodiversity, because so far no scientifically agreed method is available. Yet, if the goal and scope of the study mention the use of an LCIA indicator for biodiversity, the indicator that is used for the assessment needs to be described.
*Rules from*	*EN 15978: 11. Calculation of the environmental indicators“Note: Indicators for which there is no scientifically agreed calculation method within the context of LCA e.g. human health, ecotoxicity, biodiversity, land use are not included.”* *ILCD*: 8 Life cycle impact assessment – calculating LCIA results Provisions: 8.2 Calculation of LCIA results ILCD Handbook: Recommendations for life cycle impact assessment in the European context 3.2.3 Measuring biodiversity loss Existing methods for biodiversity that can be used at the midpoint level include: [Baitz 2002], which was further developed by [Bos 2008], [Milà i Canals 2007], [De Schryver 2009] and [Beck 2010].
*Guidance*	Currently discussions are ongoing about biodiversity indicators and methodology. So far there is no scientifically sound and commonly agreed method available. This aspect will to be revised if there are new outcomes from the discussions.