Orsted has unveiled a biodiversity strategy that aims to underpin the Danish company’s efforts to protect the natural environment around its offshore wind farms.
The strategy sets out principles to follow in areas where offshore projects are developed, constructed and operated.
Orsted said it will adhere to international and national-level environmental laws and requirements relating to biodiversity for the markets in which it operates.
The company will also partner with stakeholders, including WWF, to understand and address biodiversity impacts.
“The policy is needed as the offshore wind industry becomes truly global, and as biodiversity protection becomes a competitive factor in the development of offshore wind farms,” Orsted said.
Focus areas include: potential noise impact on marine mammals from the installation of foundations, as well as turbine impacts on birds’ migration routes and feeding grounds.
How the installation of transmission cables affect seabed ecosystems and coastal environments is also an area of importance.
Orsted head of environment, consents and property Hans Lyhne Borg said: “Renewable energy plays a major role in mitigating climate change and the threat it poses to biodiversity.
“At the same time, it is important to protect biodiversity at our wind farm projects and sites.
“Our biodiversity policy formalises and makes it transparent that Orsted takes responsibility for the natural environment, and that we actively engage with all relevant stakeholders and operate within all relevant regulations, for the protection of species and habitats.”
The company’s collaboration with WWF Denmark aims to map and help tackle the impacts of climate change.
WWF secretary general Bo Oksnebjerg said: “The increasing demand for energy is driving rapid changes on our planet. Animals are under pressure, corals are dying, and plants are perishing.
“Nature, underpinned by biodiversity, provides a wealth of services that has built modern society, with its benefits and luxuries, and we will continue to need these natural resources to survive and thrive.”
“It is imperative that we all take on the responsibility of protecting the planet’s biodiversity. And so, we are very pleased that Orsted is assuming a great part of this responsibility in their work with offshore wind farms going forward.”