Biodiversity & Your Business
Sustainable Business Network 30 July 2021

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Biodiversity & Your Business - Agenda•••

SBN –rbon Footprint Ltd

Legal & Market Update - Dr Wendy Buckley, Chair SBN North Hants
Eelmoor Marsh Case Study – Dr Martin Wilkie, Marwell Wildlife, and Sophie
Sanderson, QinetiQ
Biodiversity & Business – Debbie Salmon, Birdswood Ecology© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2021

Legislation & Market Trends
Dr Wendy Buckley
Carbon Footprint Ltd01256 592599
wendy.buckley@carbonfootprint.com

SBN –rbon Footprint Ltd© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2021

SBN –rbon Footprint LtdImages courtesy of Andrew Parsons, UNFCCC, GETTY Images and the BBC© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2021

Strengthening the Energy Savings Opportunity
Scheme (ESOS) – Open consultation
Aim: improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures and increase benefits for businesses.
Welcomes views on:• Improved audit quality through standardisation of reporting requirements• Inclusion of net zero carbon element to audits• Requiring public disclosure of high-level recommendations

Plus…
• Extending the scope to include medium sized businesses• Mandating action on audit recommendations
Consultation closes 28th September 2021

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Net Zero Carbon - Takes Centre Stage• Procurement Policy Note/0621 – Government requirement for Net Zero Carbon
Procurement

https://youtu.be/m5xIvtYOKNM

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UK ETS has been launched• UK Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) launched 1st Jan 2021
– Covers combustion of fuels in installations with a total rated thermal input
exceeding 20MW (except in installations for the incineration of hazardous ormunicipal waste)– Will operate in similar way to EU ETS– Stricter – tighter emissions cap and higher fines– Increases financial for failure to report/misreporting of emissions

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The CCC 2021 Progress Report Published …must
do better• Lockdown measures led to a record decrease in UK emissions in 2020 of 13% from theprevious year but unsustainable• Much more is needed for sustained reductions and to hit targets• The CCC recommend urgent implementation and strengthening of plans• Warns of more severe heatwaves, especially in big cities, and more intense rainfall, with anincreased flood risk across most of the UK.

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Significant Environmental Fines & Prosecutions• British Ceramic Tile Ltd (in administration) EU UTS fine of £352,722.30– Failure to surrender allowances within allotted time

• Flybe hit with £52m environmental penalty largest corporate environmental fine in the UK’s
history (calculated under the EU ETS rules) to cover plane emissions.
• Handing out many ESOS enforcement notices – fines soon?
• European Metal Recycling (EMR) fined £400,000 with additional £400,000 in prosecution andconfiscation costs– 3 offences involved in dumping waste in Stowey Quarry (Somerset).
– Mark Foley was running an illegal landfill operation at the quarry is serving a two-year and three months
prison term and his firm was fined £72,000.

• Illegal Sewage discharge in English rivers 10 times higher than official data suggests– Report shows that Environmental Agency prosecutions are only capturing 1/10 of discharges– Analysis of 10 year period since regs changed to allow water companies to self report spills from storm
overflows– Hammond’s analysis of 83 sewage treatment plants suggests in the same period there were at least 2,197
potential breaches – only 174 of which were catalogued– Sothern Water fined £90M - for dumping raw sewage on 17 sites
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Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) ,ESOS & Implications• Companies are now reporting – some about to report for their second year

• Second year report requires making a comparison to the previous year offigures and actions taken.
• Company or LLP qualifies if satisfies two or more of the following
requirements: (exempt if use <40MWh of energy)– Turnover £36 million or more
– Balance sheet total £18 million or more
– Number of employees 250 or more

• Enforced by The Conduct Committee of the Financial Reporting Council

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Circular economy?
• Amazon – 130,000 items allegedly destroyed• Right to Repair – ministers confirm implementation of EU legislation– Manufactures will be obligated to make spare parts– Aims to extend product lifespans to up to 10 years– ‘Summer 2021’

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Net Zero Carbon - Takes Centre Stage• World GBC Net Zero Commitment• G7 Meet Highlights– Agreement to limit rise to 1.5C and to reach net zero by 2050
– Target for protecting and conserving 30% of land/oceans by 2030
• Commercial Vehicles– No new diesel HGVs from 2040
– No new diesel or petrol lighter commercial vehicles from 2035

• Pandemic and green recovery– Nissan EV , Elsmere port Vauxhall EVs – good for jobs, green skills– Renewables cost less than coal

• COP26 opened for registration

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Environmental Bill Update• Environmental Watchdog (Office for Environmental Protection - OEP) will be‘fully operational autumn 2021’– On formalisation of the Environmental Bill
– Will publish independent assessments of Governments 25 Year Environmental Plan
– Develop Office for Environmental Protection’s strategy– Dame Glenys Stacy will Chair

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References / Useful Links• EMR heavily fined over illegal landfill | MRW• Airline hit with £52m environmental penalty (endsreport.com)• Illegal sewage discharge in English rivers 10 times higher than official data suggests | Rivers| The Guardian• Alarm over plans to shield post-Brexit environment watchdog from scrutiny | Brexit | TheGuardian• Participating in the UK ETS - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)• 2021 Progress Report to Parliament - Climate Change Committee (theccc.org.uk)• UK warned it is unprepared for climate chaos - BBC News

SBN –rbon Footprint Ltd© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2021Legislation & Market Trends
Dr Wendy Buckley
Carbon Footprint Ltd01256 592599
wendy.buckley@carbonfootprint.com

SBN –rbon Footprint Ltd© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2021

Biodiversity & Your Business - Agenda•••

SBN –rbon Footprint Ltd

Legal & Market Update - Dr Wendy Buckley, Chair SBN North Hants
Eelmoor Marsh Case Study – Dr Martin Wilkie, Marwell Wildlife, and Sophie
Sanderson, QinetiQ
Biodiversity & Business – Debbie Salmon, Birdswood Ecology© Carbon Footprint Ltd 2021

Eelmoor Marsh Site of Scientific Interest(SSSI)
A long-term nature conservation partnership

Dr. Martin Wilkie, Conservation Biologist, Marwell Wildlife
Sophie Sanderson, Environmental Advisor, QinetiQ

Project overview

1.

Eelmoor MarshSSSI – project
formation

2.

A rewildedsystem

3.

Ecological andEnvironmental
significance4.

Partnershipdevelopment

1. Project formation

Christopher Saxton, 1575

OS Map, c. 1845

Eelmoor Marsh 1873

Designations

2. A rewilded systemGrazing and Ecological Function
Mediatingstructureand coverCompetition
Colonisation

Stabilizing
effectRestoring
ecologicalprocesses

Nutrient cycling
Diversifying
plantcommunity

DispersalRestoring
FUNCTION

3. Ecological and Environmental significanceA connected and diverse ecosystem

3. Ecological and Environmental significanceComplex mosaic of beneficial habitats

3. Ecological and Environmental significanceRich composition maximising functional traits

Ecological significanceMore than 400 species of conservation concern-492 vascular plant species
11 orchid species
6 specialist bog plants
5 of 6 UK reptile species
Two thirds of amphibian species
39 recorded butterfly species
27 recorded dragonfly and damselfly species
3 European protected species

Project achievements• Exceptionally diverse wetland system and reinstatement of critical ecological processes• Recovery of key wildlife communities• Favourable condition status building resilience• Broader conservation impact for the future

Systematic evaluation andresearch• Functional response tograzing pressure andanticipating change• Landscape connectivity andresilience• Ecosystem services benefits

Sand lizard reintroductions• Re-establishment of a sustainablepopulation• Captive breeding• Post-release monitoring4. A Developed Partnership• QinetiQ was formed in July 2001, when theMinistry of Defence (MOD) split its Defence
Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) intwo. The smaller portion of DERA, wasrebranded Dstl (Defence Science &Technology Laboratory)•• QinetiQ (previously DERA) have been at
Cody Technology park since the late 70’s.
• Cody Technology Park currently hosts 80+
occupiers, and approximately 2000-2500
people on site a day (pre COVID, approx.
1000 now).

We manage on behalf of the MOD a varietyof sites that have designations on them,including St Kilda & MOD Portland Bill.

•1995 – relationship formed with Marwell Wildlife, before DERA wassplit.

•QinetiQ are ISO14001 certified (re-certified May 2021).
– SSSI updates and important information included in site management
meetings, site environment assessments and weekly site news updates
from Head of Site•

All site employees & tenants have access to walk around the SSSI.

Biodiversity In Business
Debbie Salmon
Birdswood Ecology
Debbie.salmon@birdswoodecology.co.uk

UK Biodiversity Decline❖ The UK is one of the most naturedepleted countries in the world, with 15
percent of UK species threatened withextinction.

❖ The State of Nature Report in 2019studied over 7000 species and found thatone in seven UK species were threatenedwith extinction, and 41% of species haveexperienced decline since 1970.
❖ There are many reasons for this decline
but two major factors are the increase indevelopment, with fauna and flora
unable to navigate the urban areas andintensive farmland management❖To save UK species fromextinction it is imperative❖we create a green networkwith ecological corridors
and stepping stones
through the urban area.
❖We enhance land within
the countryside and green
space in the urban area tocreate biodiverse habitats
where species can live andbreed.
❖Wherever your business issituated you can givenature a helping hand.

How You Can HelpEnhancing Your SiteFor NatureLiving Roofs❖Living roofs provide habitat within
urban areas for birds andinvertebrates.
❖Large flat roofs such as warehouses
and industrial buildings are ideal for
living roofs providing significant
areas of habitat❖Green roofs can provide rare
habitats or support food plants forrare species❖Brown roofs provide ideal habitats
for rare invertebrates adapted tocliff habitats and rare urban birds
such as the black redstarts.

Planning a living roof
❖When planning a living roof it isimportant to:❖Ensure the roof is strong enough to bear
extra weight❖If a new build inform the architect theroof will need to support substrate.
❖Look at the natural areas locally andensure your roof reflects the habitats
present❖Alternatively, enhance the roof for rareurban species such as black red starts,
swifts, house martins or invertebrates❖Consult an ecologist to design a roof thatreflects local habitats and supports rare
fauna

Green Walls❖Three types❖Climbing plants❖Modular hydroponic systems.
❖Modular soil based systems❖Green walls provide avertical habitat in the urban
environment❖Invertebrate and bird
nesting boxes and bat
roosting areas can beincorporated within thedesign

Benefits of living roofs & green walls❖As well as providing important ecological stepping stones
living roofs and green walls have other benefits:❖Provide insulation making the building cool in summer andwarm in winter and lowering energy costs❖Helps to control storm water by absorption into the soil
❖Reduces the heat Island effect by cooling the air via
evaporating water vapour❖Purifies the air by absorbing CO2 and NOx❖Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by trapping emission
from the building in the vegatation.
❖Extends the roof life
❖Provides noise insulation❖Provides a serene environment for employees to appreciateand use

Wildlife Corridors❖Ecological corridors are essential.
❖enable flora and fauna to movethrough the urban landscape❖existing green areas can be seededwith wildflowers to provide
corridors and stepping stones.
❖New habitats can be created❖On smaller sites try to work withyour neighbours to provide aconnecting corridor.
❖If you cannot provide a corridor,
create nectar bars.

Benefits to wildlife❖link areas of urban greenspace❖Connect to the countryside❖Provide habitat for ground dwelling
fauna including invertebrates,
amphibians, reptiles and mammals❖Provide a food source for flying
invertebrates birds and bats
❖Enable rare species to mix andbreed increasing the genepool andresilience to extinctionPond Networks❖ Many British amphibians are
struggling for survival with serious
declines in toad, frog and newt
populations.
❖ The declines are thought to be due
to disease coupled with loss ofgarden pond networks andconnecting terrestrial habitats tohardscaping.

❖ This has fragmented populations
limiting the gene pool and making
them more vulnerable to local
extinctionPond Networks❖Digging a pond will provide important
breeding and feeding areas.
❖Water troughs will provide water toenable amphibians to rehydrate andform important stepping stones toallow successful migration❖Other species such as will also use
ponds to breed

Nesting, Roosting, Feeding and Shelter❖All sites no matter how small can
provide nesting roosting and feeding
habitat.
❖log pile, loggery or hibernacula❖Hedgerows, bramble and nettles❖Nesting boxes for common anddeclining species❖Nectar bars and other feeding areas

Offsite❖Sponsor a wildlife conservation group❖Arrange for your employees to attend a work party❖Fund a project to recreate habitat and offset yourcarbon footprint❖Fund a school project to educate the next generation

AnyQuestions

Thank-you & Get Involved in Further Sessions!

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