Biodiversity under pressure worldwide

One Planet ambition on biodiversity: positive impact new assets by 2025

Biodiversity is the term used to describe the variety of life on earth. This diversity is of great importance for a resilient nature and a liveable planet. Unfortunately, biodiversity is under great pressure worldwide. Restoration of forests, soils and wetlands and more green spaces in cities are essential to reduce the effects of climate change.

Our One Planet goal for biodiversity: positive impact new assets by 2025

To reverse the loss of biodiversity, Eneco wants to be a leader in the energy sector. Eneco's One Planet ambition on biodiversity is that, from 2025, all its investment decisions for new renewable energy sources will have a net positive effect on biodiversity. This means that we increase biodiversity more than we burden it. We achieve this by minimising the negative effects on biodiversity when developing and implementing new projects and by investing in nature restoration and development.
Eneco takes the local impact on biodiversity into account when building and implementing projects. Biodiversity in the chain and the decommissioning phase fall under the One Planet domain of circularity.

Method

Consultancy and engineering company Arcadis has developed an approach for Eneco to take appropriate nature restoration measures for each project to become a net positive. This approach is in addition to the requirements from the necessary permits. To fulfil these objectives, Eneco uses the Biodiversity Metric, a measurement tool used by the UK government.

The Biodiversity Metric guidance refers to values also used in BREEAM - a widely used standard for sustainable construction. BREAAM distinguishes two levels of 'biodiversity positive'. Eneco chooses to set the highest level as a condition. This means that, after implementation of the activities by Eneco, nature will recover to at least 110% compared to its original state.

Demonstration projects

Eneco is starting six demonstration projects, where we will work with a minimum of 110% nature restoration. The demonstration projects consist of six renewable energy sources under development. The sources differ in type - solar, wind and heat - and location - in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

For each demonstration project, we make an assessment in advance on how to best fit this sustainable source into the landscape and how to enhance nature and biodiversity (preferably locally). When it is not possible or useful to contribute to nature restoration locally, we will work on nature restoration of the habitat at another, similar location or make a financial contribution. Based on monitoring, we can determine whether the expected nature restoration is actually taking place.

Planning

In 2024, Eneco will complete the demonstration phase and we will decide whether the measurement method can be used for all new renewable energy sources.
By 2025 at the latest, our investment decisions include all measures required for a net positive effect on biodiversity for new renewable energy sources.

Current projects biodiversity

Ecocertified Solar Parks

Eneco is a partner in the EcoCertified Solar Parks project, together with 25 other developers of land-based solar parks. Various management strategies such as mowing and grazing are included in the research into ecosystem services, mammals, birds, insects, soil diversity and soil quality together with the design of solar parks. We are also working on an industry-wide certification for solar parks, which, together with management and design, will contribute to an environment with greater biodiversity.

Current projects biodiversity

Development of marine life and oyster beds

At the Borssele III/IV and Luchterduinen wind farms, monitoring is carried out to see which species of animals are in the wind farm, in cooperation with De Rijke Noordzee. At both sites, we do this with DNA filtered from seawater. In Borssele, we also use an ROV, a steerable underwater camera, to see which species have all settled on the erosion protection and how the species composition develops over time. Both Borssele (2020) and Luchterduinen (2022) have adult flat oysters placed. In this way, we hope to encourage the natural establishment of the native flat oyster in the wind farm.

Current projects biodiversity

Nature restoration Hoge Veluwe

In the Hoge Veluwe National Park, small-scale experiments with spreading stone flour have been successful. Eneco is making a financial contribution. From now on, stone flour will be spread on a larger scale. A PhD student is studying its effects. The aim is to increase the biodiversity of plants, insects and birds on the heathland.

For an explanation of the terms used on this page click here.