BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards 2024

[edit] BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards 2024 – open for entries

The BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards were officially launched on 28 February 2024. Led by CIRIA’s Biodiversity Community of Practice, the Challenge invites the construction industry to add biodiversity enhancements to construction sites, developments, or existing buildings, regardless of size, and whether permanent or temporary. The Challenge also recognises emerging and established Biodiversity Champions.

The launch event brought together clients, consultants, contractors, house builders, ecologists, and landscape architects to gain insight into some of the award-winning projects from 2023, highlighting how any biodiversity enhancement can make a BIG difference. This year they have also introduced two new award categories: the Multi Benefits Award will celebrate biodiversity initiatives which go beyond biodiversity net gain and maximise the additional benefits nature-based solutions bring; and the International Biodiversity Project Award will recognise biodiversity achievements from beyond the UK.

[edit] Deadline extended unti June 21, 2024

The submission deadline for the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards 2024 has been extended until Friday 21 June 2024 at 17:00 – two weeks after the original deadline. This will give all entrants more time to fine-tune their entries.

Nominate your Biodiversity Champions and discover which of this year’s 11 exciting categories including two new ones best suit your biodiversity achievements:

• New: Multi Benefits Award - An enhancement that delivers multi benefits from biodiversity. Going beyond Biodiversity Net Gain and maximising the additional benefits nature-based solutions bring.
• New: International Biodiversity Project Award - Recognising biodiversity achievements from beyond the UK.

Getting involved in the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards is FREE and easy. Simply choose from the eleven award categories, and submit your entries. You can also follow @bigbiodiversity and share your biodiversity journeys.

[edit] Comments from judges and sponsors

Dr Martina Girvan, Senior Technical Director – Ecology, Arcadis and CIRIA Biodiversity Community of Practice Chair commented “Arcadis is delighted to be sponsoring and supporting CIRIA's BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards which promote innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing within the industry. It's an exciting opportunity to dare to be even better for biodiversity and nature and to be proud to work within an industry that is always looking to go beyond compliance to improve quality of life."

Zoe Hilditch, Environmental Sustainability Manager, Cormac; CIRIA Biodiversity Community of Practice Member and Judging Panel Member said “In the midst of climate and ecological emergencies, it is vital that the construction industry works together to protect and enhance biodiversity to safeguard it for our future. Cormac is pleased to be supporting the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards for a second year. With last year’s entries and eventual winners being of an incredibly high standard, I am looking forward to seeing what other nature-based solutions the construction industry has demonstrated.”

This year we are delighted to gain sponsorship support from Arcadis, BAM, Cormac, Galliford Try, Heathrow, Kier, Trustgreen, Vertical Meadow, and Overall Winner prize sponsor Wildflower Turf.

For further information on how to enter and gain inspiration from past entries, please visit www.bigchallenge.info. This year’s BIG Biodiversity Challenge awards ceremony will take place in September with details announced in due course.

[edit] About the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards

CIRIA’s BIG Biodiversity Challenge offers advice and learning to show how biodiversity improvements can be simple, affordable, and achievable. The Challenge has gained huge momentum with 850+ entries received since 2013. Biodiversity improvements have included installing bug hotels and bat boxes, restoring riverbanks and wildflower meadows, and delivering detailed biodiversity action plans. Doing just one thing really can make a BIG difference in helping to reverse the decline of biodiversity in the UK.

There are eleven awards categories to choose from: nine biodiversity projects and two biodiversity champions.

1. Client Award sponsored by Kier
2. Community Engagement Award sponsored by Arcadis
3. Habitat Creation: Project of Year Award (Large scale biodiversity enhancement 5ha and above) sponsored by Cormac
4. Habitat Creation: Project of Year Award (Medium scale biodiversity enhancement from 0.5 to 5ha) sponsored by Trustgreen
5. Habitat Creation: Project of Year Award (Small scale biodiversity enhancement up to 0.5ha)
6. Innovation Award sponsored by Heathrow
7. New: Multi Benefits Award
8. Biodiversity Legacy Award sponsored by Vertical Meadow
9. New: International Biodiversity Project Award
10. Biodiversity Champion Award: Early career professional (up to five years in biodiversity-related work) sponsored by BAM
11. Biodiversity Champion Award: Established professional (more than five years in biodiversity- related work) sponsored by Galliford Try

There will be one Overall Winner (prize sponsored by Wildflower Turf) for the enhancement demonstrating an outstanding commitment to biodiversity. The Overall Winner and individual category winners from 2023 can be viewed at: www.bigchallenge.info/2023-awards. To find out more visit www.bigchallenge.info or email bigawards@ciria.org.

[edit] About CIRIA and Biodiversity Community of Practice

CIRIA is the construction industry research and information association. It is an independent, not-for-profit, member-based research organisation that exists to champion performance improvement in construction.

Since 1960 CIRIA has delivered support and guidance to the construction, built environment and infrastructure sectors. CIRIA works with members from all parts of the supply chain to co-ordinate collaborative projects, industry networks and events. Its high-quality guidance is delivered to industry through publications, training and other performance improvement activities. For more information on CIRIA’s products and services please visit www.ciria.org.

The CIRIA Biodiversity Community of Practice, practitioners’ network aims to generate focused collaboration and enhance knowledge transfer aimed at improving and beneficially managing biodiversity across transport, utilities, housing, and development sectors. The network of industry experts from clients, contractors and consultants provides thought leadership with the aim of developing key guidance resources through collaboration.

To find out more visit www.bigchallenge.info/biodiversity-community-of-practice.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Are sustainable urban drainage systems the response to our changing climate?
• Big biodiversity challenge CIRIA.
• Biodiversity gain plan.
• Biodiversity gain site.
• Biodiversity gain site register.
• Biodiversity in building design and construction.
• Biodiversity net gain and related terminologies explained.
• Biodiversity net gain consultation.
• Biodiversity net gain regulations and implementation.
• Biophilic design.
• Bioretention system.
• Catchment flood management plans.
• CIRIA big biodiversity challenge 2022.
• Ecological impact assessment.
• Ecology.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Eutrophication.
• Green corridor.
• Green infrastructure.
• Green roofs.
• Habitat.
• Rainwater harvesting.
• River engineering.
• Safe working in drains and sewers.
• Soakaway.
• SuDS infographic.
• SuDS - is there light at the end of the tunnel?
• Urban treescape.
• Water Act 2014.
• Water consumption.
• Water engineering.