Reversing the decline in biodiversity in the Netherlands is essential for maintaining a healthy and safe society and economy. However, there is a lack of sufficient (project) specific biodiversity data to demonstrate change through measures.

The Biodiversity in Focus (BiB) project is developing a practical, reliable and affordable measurement strategy, integrating new techniques to complement existing methods. Examples include sound sensors, cameras, eDNA, remote sensing and drones.

The measurement strategy is being developed explicitly in collaboration with future users. A key group of users comprises organisations required to report under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The ambition is to develop products that are widely supported by NGOs, government bodies and private organisations, such as:

• The measurement strategy, including a toolbox of complementary measurement methods;
• Decision trees to select the best combination of measurement methods;
• Advice on data structure: including data storage, availability and integration with existing data.

Project lead Sebastiaan Schep (Witteveen+Bos): ‘With Biodiversity in Focus, we aim to make biodiversity measurable and visible, and to demonstrate improvements in biodiversity. In doing so, we are advancing nature restoration. Furthermore, if we can demonstrate the effects of measures, we will be able to reward good policy and good business practice.’

Project manager Sacha de Rijk (Deltares): ‘The real strength of Biodiversity in Focus lies in collaboration. Science, policy and practice bring knowledge to life here, ensuring that new insights do not remain confined to reports but are immediately applicable in practice.’

BiB is a public-private collaboration (PPP) with a minimum duration of four years and falls within the new Knowledge and Innovation Agenda for Agriculture, Water and Food 2024–2027*. Funding is a combination of contributions from the partners and a grant from the Agriculture, Water and Food 2025 PPP call.

Three groups are active within the Biodiversity in Focus programme, with Witteveen+Bos ensuring that the primary objective is achieved and the measurement strategy is widely implemented in practice.

Firstly, there is the knowledge team, comprising Deltares, Wageningen Environmental Research, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, IUCN NL and Deltaplan Biodiversity Restoration / Schuttelaer & partners. They contribute their knowledge and experience to the scientific basis of the measurement strategy.

There is also a group of pilot site owners. These are KPN, a.s.r., Heijmans, TenneT, Stedin, Rabobank, Alliander, STOWA, the Province of Drenthe and the Central Government Real Estate Agency. Biodiversity is measured at the pilot sites they provide. The measurement strategy is developed by conducting tests at various pilot sites.

Finally, there is the advisory group, a mix of government organisations, market participants and NGOs, comprising the Province of Overijssel, the Province of Gelderland, the Province of Groningen, BoerenNatuur, Gasunie, SoortenNL, BAM Infrastructure, Netwerk Groene Bureaus, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, EcoShape, Rijkswaterstaat, the Municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp and the Government of the Netherlands.

The Advisory Group is kept actively informed and provides input from the perspectives of policy, administration and user practice. The Advisory Group contributes to broad support for the measurement strategy and the wide practical applicability of the results.

Biodiversity in Focus is a public-private collaboration (PPP) with a minimum duration of four years and falls within the new Knowledge and Innovation Agenda for Agriculture, Water and Food 2024–2027*. The funding for BiB is a combination of contributions from the partners and a grant from the Agriculture, Water, Food 2025 PPP call.