Formulating biodiversity:
Enforceable clauses and models
IRICE provides you with ready-to-use formulations to integrate biodiversity requirements directly into your tender documents, agreements, contracts and reports.
Why do these formulations exist?
The gap between intention and implementation is one of the major challenges of the ecological transition in the real estate and planning sector. Local authorities, planners, and developers want to integrate biodiversity into their public procurement contracts, agreements, and reports, but often lack robust, legally defensible, and technically precise wording.
IRICE, as an independent third-party certification body (Cofrac Accreditation No. 5-0655, Certification of products, processes and services, scope available at www.cofrac.fr ), provides model clauses and wording that can be inserted directly into your contractual and regulatory documents. These clauses are not suggestions: they are binding , meaning they are enforceable because they are based on an accredited assessment framework.
These tools are aimed at local authorities (PLU, ZAC, specifications), developers (CCCT, development agreements), promoters (CSR reporting, CSRD/SFDR obligations) and project management assistants (AMO) who integrate the clauses into their calls for tenders.
Downloadable clause templates
Objective of the biodiversity mission
Clearly defines the scope and objectives of the biodiversity mission.
DownloadBiodiversity performance requirements
Formulates the technical and performance expectations regarding biodiversity.
DownloadIndicators, measures and expected deliverables
Details the measurable indicators and deliverables to be provided.
DownloadEvidence, traceability and verifiability
Establishes mechanisms for documentation and independent control.
DownloadFinal validation of biodiversity performance
Describes the independent assessment and final certification procedure.
DownloadSubject and scope of biodiversity
Defines the purpose and contractual scope of the biodiversity mission.
DownloadBiodiversity performance obligations
Formulates the contractual technical and performance obligations.
DownloadIndependent evaluation and final validation
Establishes the third-party audit and certification mechanism.
DownloadEvidence, traceability and enforceability
It details the mechanisms of documentation and legal proof.
DownloadBiodiversity Convention (full version)
Complete contractual document incorporating all elements.
DownloadGeneral framework for biodiversity restoration
General structure for presenting results in the field of biodiversity.
DownloadNature of the information that can be communicated
Specify what information can be made publicly available.
DownloadTerms of use of the results
It provides a framework for the use of results in CSR and sustainability reports.
DownloadProhibitions and limitations on use
Establishes restrictions and precautions for the use of claims.
DownloadTraceability and mandatory references
Requires references and documentation for legal traceability.
DownloadBiodiversity reporting and communication (full version)
Complete document for the final presentation and communication.
DownloadWhy are there enforceable clauses?
A fundamental legal distinction
The formulations proposed by IRICE are not educational suggestions or best practices: they are binding . This means that they can be invoked by a contractor to demand compliance with their biodiversity obligations, as they are based on a framework assessed by a body accredited according to the ISO/IEC 17065 standard.
The fragility of clauses based on voluntary labels
Clauses that only reference voluntary (non-accredited) labels or promises without third-party evaluation are legally weak. Litigation can challenge their validity, interpretation, or measurability. They cannot withstand a legal challenge.
Robustness of clauses based on accredited certification
A clause referencing accredited certification (Cofrac, ISO 17065) relies on independent evidence, a public standard, and a neutral third party. It is defensible in court because it is based on objective evaluation criteria. This approach also aligns with the expectations of ESG investors and CSRD/SFDR reporting requirements.
Compliance with Directive 2024/825
EU Directive 2024/825 imposes a strict framework for environmental claims: only claims supported by independent evidence, a transparent benchmark, and third-party verification are permitted. IRICE's enforceable clauses meet these requirements, protecting both the project owner and its contractors against the risks of greenwashing.
Need support to adapt these clauses?
Our experts help you integrate these formulations into your specific documents, taking into account your regulatory and contractual context.