Biodiversity
Vattenfall is deeply engaged in the protection of flora and fauna surrounding its facilities. This is often a requirement to be granted permits for the operation of power plants by the regulatory authorities. In certain areas, Vattenfall takes a considerably greater responsibility for the protection of the surrounding nature than required by law.
In northern Sweden, Vattenfall has established a few protected areas along the Lule River to hinder future exploitation. These areas houses, or have the potential to house, rare species. The protection of these areas implies establishing long-term care plans leading to the preservation or development of environmental values. The areas are regularly inventoried and visitors are allowed access to suitable parts of the areas.
Environmental foundation
In Germany, Vattenfall Europe Umweltstiftung (Foundation) has financed more than 80 environmental projects with a total of EUR 3,8 million since the start in 1994. The Foundation has an independent board of public representatives. It was founded with the primary objective to support nature conservation projects in Northern Germany but also to drive environmental projects and education.
Endangered species incorporated into operational plans
Recent Vattenfall studies show that many endangered species in Sweden have found refuge in land areas immediately beneath overhead transmission lines. Here, the biotope is much like the once common open landscape that was typical when the Swedish countryside still was characterised by small-scale farms. Further projects have started with the aim to better identify how these species’ protection can be incorporated into operational maintenance plans.
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