Life on Land
EDPR is aware of the sensitivity of natural ecosystems and the pressures affecting biodiversity. By minimizing losses in biodiversity throughout its operations, EDPR contributes to the United Nation’s SDG 15: protect life on land. The Company’s approach to contribute to the global challenge of reducing biodiversity loss is clear: producing clean energy, energy without emissions to fight against climate change, one of the greatest threats for biodiversity.
As stated in its Environmental Policy, EDPR commits to contribute to reducing the loss of biodiversity by promoting the mitigation hierarchy, and in the long-term aim for a net benefit in terms of biodiversity.
As a responsible company, EDPR integrates biodiversity in all phases of its activities: project development, construction, operation and dismantlement. Accordingly, EDPR has implemented relevant measures to identify, prevent, mitigate and/or compensate the impacts of its operations on biodiversity, including:
- Environmental impact assessments and/or risk mapping: During the development phase of any project, the potential environmental impacts are analysed in detail in the environmental impact studies of the projects and other specific environmental studies, always performed by professional external experts. These studies evaluate the possible impacts of the projects in factors such as fauna, flora, soil, air and water bodies, among others, and ensures the location of projects in the best sites, guaranteeing respect for the environment;
- Monitoring of biodiversity indicators: EDPR has established environmental monitoring plans, which are implemented during construction and operation. Efforts are intensified with specific monitoring procedures in the small number of sites located inside or close to protected areas;
- Habitat restoration: Even though EDPR works to minimise any impact on the land surrounding its facilities, the construction and dismantlement processes of wind farms and solar plants are closely followed by EDPR teams, who work to reduce potential impacts or disturbances and to ensure proper restoration of the land once the works finish, cleaning up and rehabilitating the sites to return the area to its initial state.
Moreover, as a sustainable company, it is EDPR’s duty to contribute to the development of research and conservation programs, as well as to broaden scientific knowledge on biodiversity matters by supporting institutions and strengthening dialogue and partnerships.