Article
Ørsted
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Restoring wetlands is essential for biodiversity and climate
Biodiversity forms the building blocks of the natural environments that we all depend on. It also helps us significantly in addressing the climate crisis by absorbing carbon and adapting to climate consequences - but it is under severe threat. At Ørsted, we understand that businesses have a crucial role in supporting conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and have partnered with the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire Wildlife Trusts to help restore the biodiversity around the Humber, a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England. We will invest more than £2.5 million to restore natural habitats in the estuary through a seaspace-scale habitat restoration project. This includes planting three hectares of salt marsh and four hectares of seagrass, and the creation of a biogenic reef through the introduction of half a million native oysters.
The health of our ecosystems depends on a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms. Without this biodiversity, the ecosystems that provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat will no longer be able to do so. They will lose the ability to sequester carbon, or in the worst case actually start emitting carbon. Healthy, thriving ecosystems are not only the basis for all life on earth, but also one of our main solutions to the climate crisis.
Salt marsh and seagrass habitats contribute greatly to coastal biodiversity, and they play their own important roles in our ecosystems. Salt marshes, while having a critical role in the aquatic food web, also protect cities and towns from coastal flooding by absorbing energy during storm surges and providing a buffer between the sea and homes and businesses. Similarly, seagrasses provide habitats and nursing grounds for many speciesand have a role in functions like stabilising coastal sediment, providing food and habitat for other marine organisms, maintaining water quality, and supporting local economies.
At Ørsted, as a global renewable energy company, we believe that the expansion of offshore wind needed to address climate change can and must integrate solutions that support and enhance biodiversity. That is why we have set the ambition that all new renewable energy projects we commission from 2030 onwards should deliver a net-positive biodiversity impact.
Our Head of Environment, Consents & External Affairs at Ørsted UK, Benj Sykes said: “Our vision is to create a world that runs entirely on green energy, and protecting biodiversity is, and will continue to be, an integral part of the way we work. This project in the Humber Estuary, working in collaboration with experts from the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trusts, is a fantastic example of how the offshore wind industry can work with local partners to ensure we leave our natural environment in a better state for generations to come.”
The Humber pilot is one of a number of innovative projects that Ørsted is exploring to protect and enhance biodiversity. We don’t have all the answers and this is why we are partnering with leading ecology experts to find the best solutions to develop at scale. We hope that by sharing this news, we can inspire others to join us in restoring and preserving biodiversity globally.
Author: Samir Whitaker, Biodiversity Lead Specialist, Ørsted
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I second this... Wetlands are a vital aspect of fighting climate change and they need to be restored and protected.. thanks for sharing this...
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This is a great start but at very small scale. If you have wetland or peatland projects of 50,000 to 100,000 hectares and need to access financing for restoration, sequestration and biodiversity gain then please get in touch with me at pdsparrow@deloitte.co.uk
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Great ambition and initiative!
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Amazing ambitions for biodiversity, the energy transition and protecting ecosystems should go hand in hand 🤝
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Restoring wetlands is one of the premiere ways for us to capture more carbon. Great to see companies engaging in such an important action!
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Great article about an important topic!