A metrics‑led journey to restore biodiversity across global pharma portfolio

Ramboll was engaged by a global pharmaceutical company with ambitions to achieve a net positive impact on nature on key operational sites by 2030. What began as a commission to baseline and redesign their flagship UK site in 2021, quickly became the catalyst for something far greater.

A global journey

Following the success of the UK pilot, the programme was extended to 38 operational sites globally, recognising the broader potential of their sites and the opportunity this presented to transform how nature is assessed, managed and invested in long-term.

As the client’s chosen Partner for Sustainable Change, Ramboll led this expanded biodiversity improvement programme across Europe, North America, North Africa and Asia-Pacific, with each site presenting its own ecological story and opportunities to restore nature.

Using biodiversity metrics to support local nature recovery

To ensure consistency, transparency and repeatability across such a diverse global portfolio, Ramboll structured the programme into five phases grounded in robust biodiversity metrics. These metrics provided the evidence-base for understanding each site’s ecological starting point and for designing targeted interventions that would deliver measurable uplift.

Applying the core principles of biodiversity net gain, all proposed habitat improvements used native species suited to local biogeographies. This not only maximises biodiversity value but also supports local nature restoration.

Phase 1 – Understanding the baseline

Ramboll ecologists undertook detailed habitat surveys and condition assessments across all sites. Using the Natural England Biodiversity Net Gain metric, we established a quantified baseline for each location, providing the essential foundation for transparent, and comparable nature positive action across the portfolio.

Phase 2 – Concept biodiversity design plans

Concept biodiversity design plans (CBDP) were developed for each site and refined through interactive workshops with local teams. These sessions created space for site representatives to shape the direction of their landscapes, building a strong sense of ownership and ensuring that proposed enhancements reflected both operational needs and the opportunities identified through the metrics-based baseline.

Phase 3 – Detailed biodiversity design plans

The CBDP were then developed into detailed biodiversity design plans (DBDP), specifying the exact native species types within each habitat, planting densities and implementation methods needed to deliver the uplift indicated by the metrics. This level of detail enabled site teams to clearly understand what would be created and why, further strengthening their ownership of the interventions and giving them confidence in how the proposed changes would enhance biodiversity on their site.

Phase 4 – Habitat management and monitoring plans

To support ongoing stewardship, habitat management and monitoring plans (HMMP) were produced for every site, broken down by habitat polygon and monthly management actions mapped over a five-year period. These plans provide clear, practical guidance for site teams, empowering them to take an active role in managing their habitats towards the target condition. By making responsibilities transparent and achievable, the programme helped embed a lasting sense of ownership. This ensured that designed biodiversity improvements achieved the desired biodiversity uplift, delivering nature positive outcomes that can be sustained long after implementation.

Phase 5 – Biodiversity monitoring and dashboard reporting

Ramboll is now supporting the long-term monitoring of biodiversity interventions across all sites. This global biodiversity monitoring programme is being implemented through a hybrid approach that combines high level remote sensing insights combined with ground‑based monitoring, facilitated through a dedicated data collection app used by site teams. This data is then evaluated by Ramboll’s team of global ecologists and fed into a bespoke dashboard for the client, detailing progress against corporate nature key performance indicators (KPI), while also enabling timely interventions to take place on the ground.

Building capability, connection, and measurable change

Throughout the programme, we have invested in biodiversity education and upskilling of site personnel to provide an understanding of the science, purpose and value behind the nature restoration programme. This has strengthened both their sense of ownership and the wellbeing benefits that come from connecting people with nature.