Atlas Renewable Energy has been recognised as SEAL Awards’ “business sustainability” winner under for its environmental activity to preserve and protect the Howler Monkey species near its 444MW solar project in Mexico.
The SEAL-recognised effort is associated with the La Pimienta project in the municipality of Carmen in the state of Campeche.
The programme consists of three main environmental benefits including the conservation of 300 hectares of secondary vegetation of the evergreen forest patches in the area, the creation of biological corridors to connect the forest patches that surround the solar plant, and the conservation of the Black Howler Monkey Habitat, which is an endangered species that has been red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC).
“Helping preserve biodiversity and improve local species’ habitats near our renewable energy projects is of utmost importance and this is always taken into consideration in the design phase of a project,” said Eddaly Cuesta, ESG manager for Colombia and Mexico at Atlas Renewable Energy.
“Seeing this programme develop from a basic idea to a program with tangible results is very fulfilling from both a personal and professional perspective.
“Everything was possible thanks to the great leadership within Atlas, which understands that protecting and preserving biodiversity is an essential part of the development of our projects,” added Cuesta.
The environmental initiative aligns with Atlas’ ESG pillar for biodiversity protection which intends to help protect and maintain environments and species near the company’s renewable energy projects.
With this, Atlas aims to motivate others within the industry and foster even more commitment toward the preservation and conservation of species and habitats.
Within this pillar, Atlas has executed reforestation activities, donated seedlings, held workshops for environmental education, and has helped toward the conservation of different species across Chile, Brazil, and Mexico.
The first phase of the project, which consisted of the relocation of individual Howler monkeys and the creation of corridors to connect forest patches, is well underway.
The programme is moving into phase two, which consists of monitoring the Black Howler monkey population for the next couple of years to ensure their wellbeing, executing reforestation actions and preserving the forest patches that continue to be connected by the biological corridors.