Natural Capital and Sustainable Building
There is a growing recognition of the interdependence between human health and environmental health,known as the ONE HEALTH approach or principles. These principles, along with the "nature-positive" approach—which is based on the idea that humans should not only reduce their negative impact on nature but also play an active role in the conservation and enhancement of the environment—provide an ideal framework for addressing sustainable building and its relationship with natural capital.
The consideration of nature-related aspects in building projects has been shown to have multiple benefits for human health and well-being
Within the framework of this working group, we explore how to integrate this approach into the design and construction of buildings and urban environments, to promote the creation of buildings and communities that are not only efficient and eco-friendly but also resilient and adaptable to current and future environmental and health challenges.
Objective
Foster collaboration among different stakeholders in the building, health, urban planning, and ecology sectors to implement measures and actions that support the integration of these approaches into building and urban planning
Understand the transformative role of stakeholders in the building sector to contribute to improving human health and well-being, as well as the ambition to halt and reverse nature loss
Develop guidelines for building that integrate the principles of ONE HEALTH and the approach that seeks a positive impact on nature to promote human health and biodiversity
Identify actions that the building sector can implement to to drive transformation
Identify and highlight examples that demonstrate the benefits of integrating these approaches into sustainable building and the built environment