Natural capital and biodiversity
- Respect natural capital, biodiversity and cultural heritage in the environments where the group’s activities take place, and identify, assess and monitor biodiversity impacts and dependencies during the life cycle of the facilities.
- Integrate biodiversity into the planning and operation of projects to progressively reduce negative environmental impacts, avoiding as far as possible the development of the activity near areas of high value for biodiversity, especially protected areas, implementing a preventive approach based on the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, mitigate, restore and compensate) and promoting the development of nature-based solutions.
- Prevent as far as possible the alteration of the vegetation, avoiding deforestation in the operating environments and promoting the mitigation of significant impacts on forests throughout the value chain.
- Achieve zero net loss of biodiversity, promoting the creation of natural capital wherever possible
- We are starting to apply the recommendations of the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosure (TNFD).
- We conduct detailed environmental and social studies on new projects, choosing the alternative with the least impact on ecosystems and people, and including the necessary preventive and corrective measures to guarantee their sustainability.
- At facilities that are currently in operation, we conduct regular monitoring studies on the environmental and ecological conditions of the surrounding area in order to discover the scope of the impact and to implement any additional measures necessary.
- We foster innovation in solutions based on nature in our processes.
- We undertake initiatives to preserve species and natural spaces in order to conserve and improve biodiversity.
- When a facility reaches the end of its useful life, we restore its location to improve natural capital and biodiversity.
- Through our Naturgy Foundation, we organise environmental volunteering days to spread information about biodiversity and to raise awareness among employees and their families.
- We work with public authorities, universities, conservation associations and other entities on our initiatives and on the communication and spread of technical knowledge to improve biodiversity and natural capital.
Facts that support our commitment
* 2023 data
** Evolution in 2023 compared to 2017
2020 I 22 Biodiversity Report
New Pact for Biodiversity and Natural Capital
In 2013, we signed the Biodiversity Pact and since then has participated in this initiative coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. In May 2023, the company signed up to the new Biodiversity and Natural Capital Pact, taking on the highest level of ambition and thereby endorsing the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Specifically, it commits to assess (identify and disclose the most significant biodiversity and natural capital impacts and dependencies arising from the company’s activity), act (develop and implement a roadmap to reduce risks and take advantage of opportunities) and disseminate the efforts and achievements made in biodiversity conservation.
Biodiversity initiatives
Natural capital and biodiversity have become strategic pillars of our environmental management, which is based on improving our impact on ecosystems through emissions reduction, resource consumption and waste production reductions, and on carrying out direct biodiversity-related actions.
Discover our map of biodiversity initiatives in all the countries where we operate, which includes a description of each project.
Pollination and power distribution networks
It has been scientifically proven that both electrical safety corridors and gas pipelines, due to the conditions necessary for their correct operation, generate open, well-lit spaces with herbaceous vegetation and, to a lesser extent, bushes, which constitute a suitable habitat for pollinators.
Activities
The creation of Lake Meirama in the valley of As Encobras, Cerceda (A Coruña) is one of the largest environmental restoration projects undertaken in Spain. The transformation of the former open-cast lignite mine into a man-made lake has created a large protected space, rich in biodiversity, which will increase the area’s economic and tourism development. Lake Meirama is the world’s first artificial lake that could be used as a water reservoir for a large population, thanks to its high water quality.
In May 2020, the environmental rehabilitation project culminated with the transfer of Lake Meirama to the Public Hydraulic Domain.
In 2016, we signed an agreement with GREFA to restore disused power sheds and provide breeding grounds and habitats for various wildlife species.
Since 2014, volunteers from the company have been carrying out actions aimed at improving the environments where we operate.
The project, in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre located in Tuxpan (Veracruz, Mexico) protect the nests of green turtles and olive ridley turtles to ensure the successful reproduction of these species. The work carried out consisted of the preparation of a preliminary diagnosis and the design of an action plan to conserve these species. Subsequently, the company was involved in some of the actions identified, such as support for the redesign of the centre, provision of means of transport, training of volunteers, species protection outreach to the local community and schools, and the release of green turtle hatchlings.
Partnerships
We collaborate with:
