Nature recovery plan guide for renewable energy sites
A collaborative effort between Foresight Group and the Eden Project means sharing expertise into ecological assessments and climate-friendly land use.
The Nature Recovery Plan was launched in May 2024, and offers guidance on benchmark-setting nature-positive schemes. The guide is aimed at developers, asset managers, facilities operators and managers.
‘The manual empowers land managers to take practical steps, to enhance biodiversity and restore nature across their holdings. It is not a one size fits all when it comes to biodiversity. We hope the guidebook gives greater visibility and access to existing nature positive initiatives for our industry peers to use,’ Ross Driver, Managing Director of Foresight’s Solar Fund Limited (FSFL).
You can access the guide here.
As part of the Foresight Group and Eden Project initiative, and in partnership with Natural England, 20 people from public and private sector backgrounds have created vital habitat for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly. The species is considered endangered, but it is hoped planting over 600 Devil’s-bit-Scabious (Succisa pratensis), a primary food source for the insect, numbers in the area will begin to climb.
‘The Marsh Fritillary butterfly is a vital component of the Mid Cornwall Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest,’ said Cerin Poland, Lead Advisor at Natural England. ‘Projects like this not only support endangered species but also contribute to the overall health and resilience of our ecosystems.’
Butterflies play a particularly key role in biodiversity analysis. Considered ‘crucial bioindicators’, the size of population reflects the overall health of immediate environment. This means sustained recovery will also depend on wider conservation efforts, and offer a gauge on how successful these have been.
‘Partnering with the Eden Project, The Nature Recovery Blueprint illustrates the pivotal role businesses, like Foresight, play in enriching and revitalising biodiversity. The solar case study serves as a powerful example, demonstrating the interconnectedness between the energy transition, climate change and the harmonious coexistence of nature and progress,’ said Lily Billings, Group Sustainability Lead, Foresight.
You can watch a video on the Foresight Group Nature Recovery Plan below.
More on biodiversity:
How county councils are developing Local Environmental Improvement Plans framework
National Highways launches major biodiversity mapping project
Image: Gilles San Martin