A standardised approach to Nature Inclusive Design

Nature-Inclusive Design is an emerging approach that integrates ecological principles into marine construction to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. It builds on research of ecological engineering and aims to mitigate the impact of human activity on marine habitats.

The BSI (British Standards Institute) has published a best practice guide, sponsored by Arc Marine®, aimed at establishing a standardised approach to Nature-Inclusive Design. Exo Engineering had the pleasure of being part of the steering group, which allowed for a variety of voices to share their thoughts regarding terminology and best practice for Nature-Inclusive Design. PAS 1401:2025 (Publicly Accessible Specification) provides comprehensive guidelines for incorporating ecological considerations throughout the life cycle of marine structures, from planning to decommissioning.

The PAS stresses that whilst supporting biodiversity recovery and ecosystem services are crucial considerations within Nature-Inclusive Design, that the safety and functionality of structures must not be compromised. Rather than providing a simple list of measures, the PAS offers structured design procedures, complementing existing marine construction guidance without replacing it.

Greenwashing has become a considerable threat to credible attempts to move closer towards a sustainable future. To address this, the PAS seeks to provide technical clarity to prevent greenwashing, ensuring responsible application. The PAS also suggests that simpler Nature-Inclusive Design methods should be used for smaller projects and more detailed analysis for larger ones. This ensures flexibility across the broad range of marine construction projects.

Interested to learn more about Exo’s contribution to the PAS or how Exo manages Nature-Inclusive Designs in our multi-national projects? Stay up to date with our projects by following us on Socials.