URB-D.03.D - Protected Area Impact Mitigation
Does the company mitigate its impact on protected areas?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
The rapid growth of urban populations can have significant impacts on natural ecosystems,
given their relationship with urban area expansion. Urban developments need to be approached in a
balanced manner, by considering the need for new developments next to the conservation of natural
ecosystems. To minimise their footprint across all relevant ecosystems, companies must refrain from
operating in protected areas and minimise the conversion of natural ecosystems, including those that
lack formal protection status. To this end, companies can prioritise locating facilities in areas with
existing infrastructure, infill development, repurposing brownfield sites and adopting smart urban
planning strategies that preserve green spaces. Furthermore, companies should engage in transparent
and responsible land use practices, such as avoiding deforestation and protecting natural habitats.
Research Guidance
The company must demonstrate monotonic, quantitative improvements related to mitigating its impact on ecosystems and/or biodiversity in or adjacent to protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value over the previous three years (i.e. three years in a row with continuous year-on-year improvement).
The company must disclose at least one of the following types of mitigation:
- Number or percentage of projects applying the mitigation hierarchy in development plans in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value.
- Number or percentage of operational sites, in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value, that have undergone biodiversity impact assessments or implemented biodiversity action plans.
- Area of land, in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value, undergoing native species restoration efforts (must mention native species).
- Improvement in population sizes of key species associated with restoration efforts in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value.
If the company does not operate in or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value in the reporting year, it scores in this element.
The mitigation can cover the company's entire or part of the operations.
given their relationship with urban area expansion. Urban developments need to be approached in a
balanced manner, by considering the need for new developments next to the conservation of natural
ecosystems. To minimise their footprint across all relevant ecosystems, companies must refrain from
operating in protected areas and minimise the conversion of natural ecosystems, including those that
lack formal protection status. To this end, companies can prioritise locating facilities in areas with
existing infrastructure, infill development, repurposing brownfield sites and adopting smart urban
planning strategies that preserve green spaces. Furthermore, companies should engage in transparent
and responsible land use practices, such as avoiding deforestation and protecting natural habitats.
Research Guidance
The company must demonstrate monotonic, quantitative improvements related to mitigating its impact on ecosystems and/or biodiversity in or adjacent to protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value over the previous three years (i.e. three years in a row with continuous year-on-year improvement).
The company must disclose at least one of the following types of mitigation:
- Number or percentage of projects applying the mitigation hierarchy in development plans in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value.
- Number or percentage of operational sites, in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value, that have undergone biodiversity impact assessments or implemented biodiversity action plans.
- Area of land, in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value, undergoing native species restoration efforts (must mention native species).
- Improvement in population sizes of key species associated with restoration efforts in or around protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value.
If the company does not operate in or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value in the reporting year, it scores in this element.
The mitigation can cover the company's entire or part of the operations.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report