Biodiversity determines the ability of biological Systems to adapt and evolve and thus represents the cornerstone of a sustainable, cycle-oriented bioeconomy.

The project CircHive addresses considerations for incorporating biodiversity into economic practices and assessments. For this purpose, a value of nature is determined/measured, which is to be integrated into public and corporate decision-making. This is to be done, among other things, by improving data availability, accessibility, and harmonisation. In addition, a standardised method for determining the biodiversity footprint is being developed and its integration into natural capital accounting is being pursued.

To implement the goals, a broad community “BEEHive” will be created for mutual support and use of the results.

The challenge of developing scientific, robust, and standardised methods is sought through practical testing within a case study network representing industry, retail, investors, and cities.

Within the consortium, DIN is responsible for the standardization activities. This particularly includes the following work packages: the preparation of an overview of standards relevant for CircHive, the development of a standardization strategy within the CircHive project with analysis of standardization potential, the identification of the need for new or adapted standards or specifications, and, if applicable, the development of CEN Workshop Agreements (CWA) together with the consortium partners and other interested experts or the participation in current standardization projects.

CircHive aims to strengthen the protection of ecosystems and the profitability of sustainable enterprises by incorporating a nature value into public and corporate decisions.

Project duration

12/2022 – 01/2027

Project coordination

LUONNONVARAKESKUS (LUKE) (Finnland)

Project partners

• DENKSTATT BULGARIA OOD (Bulgaria)
• EUROPEAN FOREST INSTITUTE (Finnland)
• OPPLA EEIG (Netherlands)
• ECOACT SAS (France)
• INSTITUTE FOR EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (Belgium)
• SPRING SUSTAINABLE PROCESSES AND RESOURCES FOR INNOVATION AND NATIONAL GROWTH (Italy)
• Ukrainian National Forestry University (Ukraine)
• RISE RESEARCH INSTITUTES OF SWEDEN AB (Sweden)
• DEPANN SA (PTY) LTD (JH) (South Africa)
• BIOTOPE SARL (France)
• BODENSEE STIFTUNG (Germany)
• DIN DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FUER NORMUNG EV (Germany)
• VALIO OY (Finnland)
• BARILLA G. E R. FRATELLI SPA (Italy)
• STORA ENSO AB (Sweden)
• TOVARYSTVO Z OBMEZHENOIUVIDPOVIDALNISTIU MILVUD (Ukraine)
• NOVAMONT SPA (Italy)
• LACOSTE OPERATIONS SA (France)
• RAIFFEISEN BANK INTERNATIONAL AG (Austria)
• CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ESTRATEGICAS Y DE DESARROLLO ECONOMICO Y SOCIAL DE MALAGA CIEDES (Spain)

Project funding

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.