The mining industry is taking a joint approach to strengthen biodiversity in Sweden's quarries. On the initiative of the Swedish Aggregates Industry (SBMI), a new roadmap has been developed in collaboration with prominent industry players. Ecogain was responsible for the project management, and the work was carried out with support from the Swedish Construction Industry Development Fund (SBUF).
A quarry is a place where rock, gravel and sand are mined. These materials are used on a large scale for roads, buildings and other infrastructure. In Sweden, there are over 1 000 quarries producing around 100 million tonnes of rock material every year. While quarries change the nature of the site, they can also create unique habitats for plants and animals that often struggle to survive in the modern landscape. The humpback swallow, barn owl and sand lizard are examples of species that benefit from quarry environments.
How to boost biodiversity in quarries
The roadmap marks an important step in the sustainability efforts of the aggregates industry. The aim is to enhance biodiversity in areas with quarrying activities. By 2030, the number of quarries with biodiversity measures will increase by 50%.
The measures include:
- Create habitats for birds of prey, barn swallows, amphibians and insects
- Creating small water bodies and flower-rich areas for pollinators
- Managing risks of invasive alien species
- Disseminate knowledge and good practices across the industry
While these interventions strengthen nature, they can often be implemented in parallel with regular activities - without negatively affecting production.
To monitor the work, an industry-wide monitoring system will be introduced in 2026. By 2027, SBMI member companies will have set their own targets in line with the roadmap.
Ecogain's role in the work
Ecogain was commissioned by SBMI to lead the development of the roadmap. The aim was to create a common direction for how biodiversity can be strengthened in the country's quarry environments, with measures that are practically feasible and sustainable in the long term.
It has been great fun to lead this project!
We have been a working group with representatives from six different companies and the industry organization who have worked very closely together for a year, and also had several workshops with the project's reference group and SBMI's board, which has repeatedly provided valuable input. A roadmap is really a joint effort that will point out the direction for several years to come, so the anchoring work along the way is extremely important.
- Tove Hägglund, Chief Biodiversity & Business Officer, Ecogain.
Through close dialogue with industry stakeholders and a structured approach, the roadmap shows how biodiversity can be integrated into the development of the construction materials industry, in a way that makes a difference in the landscape.
Related reading
- New roadmap to boost biodiversity in Sweden's quarries
Article about the roadmap's purpose, goals and launch, published by SBMI. - Read the full roadmap as PDF
The roadmap in full, published by SBMI.
Contact us for more information
Do you want to know how your business can contribute to biodiversity?
Contact Tove Hägglund, Chief Biodiversity & Business Officer, Ecogain.
