4.4 Green roofs, native vegetation –Consider green roofs and native landscaping to promote local biodiversity (e.g. pollinator friendly) and eliminate or reduce irrigation requirements. –For new and existing facilities, this can include incorporating vegetation that reduces cooling and heating needs; using native plants that provide habitats for animals, require less maintenance and are pollinator friendly; minimizing the use of irrigation systems and conserving water through rain harvesting (where legal) and drought-tolerant landscaping; and implementing natural pest control methods instead of harmful chemicals. Example: Microsoft designed a data centre in the Netherlands where it planted native trees and vegetation, converted turf areas into pollinator friendly habitats and introducing green space for employees, leading to stronger erosion control, improved soil quality, enhanced biodiversity and more natural aesthetics.98 4.5 Invest in biodiversity offsets –Use biodiversity offsetting to account for any unavoidable habitat conversion and to ensure no net biodiversity loss. –These restoration efforts can be through investment in high-quality, high-integrity biodiversity offsets or other landscape-scale restoration funds (e.g. through the World Economic Forum’s trillion trees community). –Nature is highly localized and no two areas of land offer exactly the same biodiversity, so offsets and restoration funding are not perfect compensation for land use. Ensuring that biodiversity offsets seek to achieve No Net Loss (NNL) of biodiversity and ideally a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) improves outcomes. –To assess this, results must be monitored and analysed to ensure the offset is achieved. IUCN has developed a framework for guiding the design, implementation and governance of biodiversity offset schemes, which companies can use to support their efforts.99 IUCN also provides a helpful public introduction to biodiversity offsets. Examples: Several tech companies are supporting land and biodiversity conservation. NEC coordinates with the Teganuma Aquatic Life Study Group to promote conservation efforts, such as managing invasive species and conducting annual check-ins with biodiversity experts and city officials, for an endangered species of dragonfly that has a habitat located on premises.100 HP has demonstrated the value of partnerships in these efforts, partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International across restoration projects with substantial nature and human benefits.101 4.6 Engage community stakeholders Beyond considering land and biodiversity impacts when siting facilities, companies can also better engage community stakeholders to ensure those stakeholders recognize and benefit from project value. Nature is highly localized and no two areas of land offer exactly the same biodiversity, so offsets and restoration funding are not perfect compensation for land use. Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector 37

Nature Positive Role of the Technology Sector 2025