Ecology and Biodiversity
Goal and Performance Highlights
Performance
Goal
Performance
Goal
Supervision
The Company recognizes that biodiversity loss is of equal importance to the climate crisis. Accordingly, the Company has integrated biodiversity into its senior governance structure. The Climate and Environment Committee is responsible for monitoring impacts and determining mitigation measures, and reports directly to the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee and the Risk Management Committee. This governance approach ensures that ecosystem protection is incorporated into the Company’s business growth strategy.
Challenges and Opportunities
If biodiversity in the business base deteriorates, it can directly affect essential resources such as air, water, soil, and wood, creating risks related to construction material costs and natural disasters, while negatively affecting stakeholders' quality of life across the value chain. In addition, the lack of personnel with expertise in biodiversity risk assessment remains a major challenge for the organization.
However, the Company still sees an opportunity to transform real estate development into creating shared value by adhering to the principles of Green Urban Design, because increasing eco-green space not only reduces temperatures around buildings (Urban Heat Island Effect) but also differentiates and increases competitiveness and attract customers who value environmentally responsible businesses.
Increase green space in the project and carry out reforestation projects to absorb carbon dioxide through.
Project "One Million Trees Movement - Carbon Sequestration"
Management Approach and Value Creation
Central Pattana is committed to harmonizing business, urban development, and nature. The Company aims to lead responsible real estate development that respects ecosystems and biodiversity, supporting its Net Zero Carbon 2050 commitment and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Company Assesses the Relationship Between Real Estate Development and Nature Using the DIROs Framework, Which Covers Dependencies, Impacts, Risks, and Opportunities, in Alignment With the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Recommendations, as Follows:
- Dependence on Nature (Dependencies) Shopping center businesses depend on abundant natural resources across the value chain. These dependencies include key resource inputs, such as groundwater, tap water, and construction materials, as well as ecosystem services, which refer to the benefits provided by natural systems that support and safeguard business operations. Examples include green spaces that provide shade and reduce ambient temperatures around buildings, thereby lowering air-conditioning loads and related costs. In addition, soil surfaces and natural water sources help absorb and slow water runoff, mitigating flood risks.
- Impacts on Nature (Impacts) Land-use change for construction may affect soil surfaces, water flow patterns, and the habitats of local species if not properly controlled.
- Business Risks (Risks) Physical risks from extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, may be intensified by ecosystem degradation. These risks can cause property damage and affect business continuity.
- Opportunity to Create Value (Opportunities) The development of green cities through Green Urban Design and support for sustainable supply chains, such as promoting Geographical Indication (GI) products, not only help conserve agricultural biodiversity but also generate income for local communities, enhance the Company’s image, and respond to the needs of environmentally conscious consumers.
Risk and Impact Management by Integrating LEAP and Mitigation Steps. The Company Systematically Manages Biodiversity Risks by Combining TNFD's LEAP Approach Process With Mitigation Hierarchy Principles as Follows:
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Step 1: Identifying Areas to Avoid Impacts (L - Locate Avoidance)
The Company requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be conducted prior to the development of new projects, including projects required by law and other significant projects. The assessment includes identifying project coordinates and screening project areas against databases of critical biodiversity areas, such as the IUCN Red List and WWF. The Company strictly complies with its policy of avoiding project development in restricted areas and protected areas. -
Step 2: Evaluate to Reduce Impacts in Depth (E - Evaluate Minimization)
- Linking with climate adaptation: In response to flood risks, the Company has invested in flood protection systems designed not only to safeguard its assets but also to minimize impacts on surrounding communities. The systems also help prevent wastewater or contaminants from shopping centers from being discharged into natural water sources during periods of flooding.
- Water resource management: In areas where groundwater use is required, the Company obtains all necessary permits in accordance with applicable regulations, controls groundwater extraction to prevent pumping volumes from exceeding aquifer limits, and submits monthly reports to relevant government agencies. These measures help prevent land subsidence and preserve the balance of underground water resources.
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Step 3: Risk Analysis for Urban Ecosystem Restoration (A - Assess Restoration)
- Green space conservation and restoration: The Company relocates existing large trees with a diameter of more than 6 inches from construction areas for proper nursing and preservation. Upon project completion, these trees are replanted within the project area or transferred to other suitable areas or projects.
- Eco-architecture: The Company adopts a landscaping policy that emphasizes the use of native species, complemented by flowering and fruit-bearing plants to reduce water consumption and attract beneficial insects. This approach supports the expansion of green space through additional tree planting in semi-outdoor areas, creating a green buffer and a new green lung for the surrounding community.
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Step 4: Preparation for Compensation and Positive Impact Creation (P - Prepare Offset & Net Positive Impact)
- Ecological compensation: The Company advances the 1 Million Trees Carbon Sequestration Reforestation Project, targeting the planting of 1 million trees by 2030 to compensate for carbon emissions and restore watershed forests. It also organizes seedling distribution campaigns for employees, customers, and the general public on the Company’s anniversary to expand household-level green space networks.
- Socio-economic compensation: The Company provides sales promotion and public relations spaces for Geographical Indication (GI) products from local farmers. This acts as an economic mechanism to encourage communities to jointly conserve biodiversity in watershed areas and cultivation areas.
One Million Trees Movement Project
The Company carries out the project “Planting One Million Trees carbon-absorbing forest” with the goal of planting 1,000,000 trees by 2050 as a natural mechanism for absorbing greenhouse gases (Carbon Removal). In 2025, more than 800,000 trees can be planted, divided into:
200,000 trees
Grown in protected forest areas in Chonburi, Phitsanulok and Chiang Rai provinces.
600,000 trees
Jointly plant with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation in areas rehabilitating more than 3,000 rai of degraded forests, covering Lampang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Nan provinces.
It is expected that when the planting is completed according to the target These trees will be able to absorb up to 8,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) by 2030, playing a key role in supporting the organization's Net Zero 2050 goal.
Caring for and Restoring Biodiversity
Before developing any project, the Company carefully surveys and preserves large trees in the area. More than 110 projects have been surveyed and more than 1,000 large trees have been successfully enclosed and transplanted to maintain ecological connectivity in the original area.
The Company mainly uses local plants to restore green areas. Supplement with flowering and fruit trees to increase biodiversity and attract a variety of insects that are beneficial to the ecosystem, such as bees and butterflies.
Survey and conserve trees in more than 110 projects
Urban Ecological Green Space Design
In urban project development, the Company adheres to Green Urban Design principles. Key landmark projects such as Central Park Bangkok are designed with green space accounting for more than 40% of the total area, while the urban ecosystem is planned to support people, animals, and plants in a balanced way and reduce the urban heat island effect.
Central Park Bangkok has green space over 40% of the total area.
Long-Term Care Measures
The Company systematically implements measures to take care of green areas and trees after opening, such as using recycled water from wastewater treatment systems and the use of compost from organic waste within shopping centers To strengthen the circular economic system in a sustainable environment.
Strengthen the circular economic system for a sustainable environment.
Tracking and Reporting Results
Ecology and biodiversity management is overseen by the Environment and Climate Committee, which reports to the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee regularly as to ensure that all aspects of environmental projects are carried out according to the organization's strategies and goals.
Report regularly to the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee.
Stakeholders Directly Impacted
Tenants and Lessees (Retail and Offices) and Residential Customers
Employees
Customer
Suppliers and Business Partners
