Why is it important
Renewable energy is one of the important aspects driving the global community toward a Net Zero Carbon Emissions future. This transition from fossil fuel intensive energy to renewables requires a steady expansion of renewable energy sources, including solar energy, hydropower, and wind power. Many of these project sites are closely linked to nature, compared to conventional thermal power plants which located in industrial estates. Therefore, it’s important to consider our impacts on the biodiversity surrounding these project sites. This requires location selection, through impact assessment, implementation of operations in compliance with international laws and regulations to avoid any negative impact on the biodiversity in the area.
Target and Performance
| Indicator | 2023 | 2024-2030 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Target | Target | |
| Sites received biodiversity impact assessment1 every 5 years (percentage to total sites) |
100% | 100% | 100% |
| Sites implemented biodiversity restoration in case of those with biodiversity exposure assessment (percentage to total sites with biodiversity exposure) | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Sites located in the protected areas under IUCN2 (site) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Collaboration with external organisation with relevant expertise to create positive impacts on biodiversity |
|
|
Continue to expand collaboration |
1 Reassess land use and perform biodiversity impact assessment
2 Cover wildlife habitat, protected area, nearby area of world heritage site and protected area according to IUCN Category I-IV
Management Approach and Strategy
Commitment
At B.Grimm Power, we realise the importance of preventing, minimising, and mitigating the environmental impacts of our operations. Our efforts include the conservation of biodiversity—the variety of life, both flora and fauna, in a natural ecosystem—and the protection and preservation of water sources and forested land. We set commitments to develop, and implement group-wide compliance, monitoring, and restoration mechanisms as well as collaborate with external partners to generate a positive impact on biodiversity and no deforestation.
In 2022, we announced our commitment through Biodiversity and forested resource conservation commitment, endorsed by the Board of Directors, covering the management and conservation of our subsidiaries, joint ventures under our control, and key stakeholders share our commitment to biodiversity and forest conservation. We also communicate our biodiversity and forest conservation expectations to our Tier-1 Suppliers, Non-Tier 1 Suppliers and business allies.
They have acknowledged our commitment and are encouraged to adapt it to their organisations to create shared value and mutual benefits under the following framework:
Net Positive Impact (NPI)
on biodiversity set and reached in 2021 by investing in conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem service.
No Net Deforestation
at all operating sites by implementing future reforestation to compensate current forest1 loss, also set in 2021.
Avoid operating in significant wildlife habitats, legally protected lands,
World Heritage areas, and IUCN Category I-IV protected areas.
Governance Structure
B.Grimm Power advocates for the conservation of our ecosystems, from flora and fauna, water stewardship and forest resources to ensure that our organisational performance, targets, and development activities achieving our ultimate goals, and align with international frameworks and guidelines for the sustainable management of biodiversity. Therefore, the governance structure comprises:
Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment Department
We established a database to monitor our biodiversity impact, including defined guidelines, assessment methods and analysis. Leveraging our knowledge obtained from meetings, trainings, and seminars with experts or regulators, this database is presented to the executive vice president, the Management Committee, and the President for disclosure regarding biodiversity for ongoing and future project.
Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment Working Team and/or Project Owners
together with project owners, study and assess biodiversity in areas targeted for development to monitor to ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and corporate commitments.
Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment Department collaborating with BGP Community team and Social Engagement team
Policies, operating guidelines and data about biodiversity projects are to be made known among stakeholders within and outside the organisation. Collaboration and awareness are to be promoted among employees, contractors, suppliers, partners, regulators, and other stakeholders to improve and ultimately achieve our set goals and compliance with international trends.
Strategy
Committed to creating a Net Positive Impact on Biodiversity and No Net Deforestation
Comply with local and state laws, regulations, and mandatory standards regarding biodiversity, forestry, and environment as minimum requirements.
Regularly carry out assessments on potential risks and impacts on biodiversity, across our operations and engage with related stakeholders.
Ensure that all of operational activities that potentially cause biodiversity impact are strictly controlled in operational procedures, that comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Apply a Mitigation Hierarchy in every operational activity to manage biodiversity impact.
Prepare Biodiversity Management Plans including monitoring mechanisms for all relevant locations.
Monitor our progress on achieving Net Positive Impact on biodiversity periodically through collaborating with external organisations and/or experts.
Develop a system to collect information and monitor the impact to forest areas and review every owner and suppliers’ operational activities in high deforestation risk areas to comply with all applicable forestry laws.
Collaborate with our tier 1 supplier and non-tier 1 suppliers to assess their risks and impacts on biodiversity and deforestation through conduct the annual risk assessments and/or on-site audits.
Publicly communicate our progress and targets related to Net Positive Impact on biodiversity and no net deforestation commitments on annual basis.
Biodiversity Risk and Impact Assessment
B.Grimm Power is committed to ensure our operations align with our biodiversity and forest conservation commitment, relevant laws and regulations, including environmental and community impact assessments.
We conduct site assessments for project implementation by using a checklist to evaluate area suitability and preliminary biodiversity impact, and deforestation assessment (Checklist of Project Screening: Biodiversity impact and Deforestation). This process is undertaken before starting the activities, leading to the development of comprehensive impact mitigation plans for all relevant areas. We performed risk analysis and established necessary management processes to avoid or minimise risks that may impact biodiversity from operational activities, both in the water and on land. Investment approval is considered before project construction, with all ongoing projects in Thailand and abroad undergoing preliminary area potential assessments to comply with relevant legal requirements. Furthermore, each project undergoes periodic reviews of project site assessments and biodiversity every 5 years for monitoring and preparation for potential changes.
The process steps for assessing the risk and impact on biodiversity are as follows:
Site Screening
Once the project location information is obtained from the Business and Project Development Department, the Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment Department collaborates with the Business and Project Development Department to conduct a preliminary site assessment. This assessment ensures that the site is not located in areas prohibited for business activities according to the laws of the respective country. Moreover, it should not be situated within protected areas, in accordance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Tool : Checklist of Project Screening, Biodiversity impact and Deforestation
Defining Scope of Assessment and Tools
The scope for risk and impact assessment on biodiversity is defined within a radius of 1, 3, or 5 kilometers from the project site, depending on the project type and scale*. This assessment aims to evaluate biodiversity resources and diversity, as well as potential risks or impacts, covering key biodiversity areas. We apply the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) and/or biodiversity experts to ensure that the operational area of the business does not adversely affect biodiversity, including a "No Net Deforest" policy across all operational areas. In situations involving impacts on biodiversity or deforestation, continuous efforts for the restoration of biodiversity are imperative, including reforestation to compensate for current deforestation.
* The process of assessing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the power plant project includes evaluating biodiversity issues and consists of the following steps:
- Terrestrial Biodiversity (Forest Resources, Wildlife Resources): This involves conducting on-site surveys, reviewing current area conditions, and assessing legally designated conservation areas within the project site and nearby areas using geographical data sources. Examples of data sources include maps of various forest zones, GIS data from the Forestry Department, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning
- Aquatic Biodiversity (Aquatic Plant Communities, Aquatic Animal Communities, Benthic Organisms): Samples of terrestrial ecology are collected from water bodies such as canals or water sources within a radius of 1, 3, or 5 kilometers based on the project type and scale
Moreover, our natural gas power plants include green space constituting no less than 5% of the project area, for the purpose of establishing a buffer zone and provide positive scenery between the power plant and the community.
Develop Action Plan and Implementation
Create strategies to prevent potential environmental impacts that could arise from the project and establish measures for prevention and mitigation of environmental impacts. These measures include environmental impact monitoring and auditing, as well as the project's environmental action plan for both the construction and operational phases. A biodiversity Action Plan is prepared for any projects which have biodiversity impacts gone through a review of area utilisation and biodiversity by using the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) every 5 years for all ongoing projects to ensure vigilance for any potential change.
Foster Collaboration
One of the biodiversity and forestation goals is to continuously promote internal engagement to conserve biodiversity, both within the organisation and external collaboration, such as supporting stakeholders’ activities related to biodiversity, arranging informational activities, tree planting initiatives, forest conservation efforts, and implementing aquatic animal nurturing programs in collaboration with relevant organisations.
Moreover, the company incorporates biodiversity risk into the enterprise risk assessment for new projects and a Biodiversity Assessment Screening Checklist is developed for project development. This checklist is applied by the project team to perform initial site assessment and continuously monitor progress in land acquisition process.
Requirements and standards for biodiversity assessment and review:
- Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA)
- Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)
- Code of Practice (CoP)
- Environment report (ER)
- Environmental & Safety Assessment (ESA)
- Other management guidelines for prevention and mitigation of environmental impact, for example, ADB Safeguards Policy Framework: ESMS - Environment and Social Management System, and IFC Guidance Note 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Ecosystem Services and Living Resources
In addition, the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring – Operation Phase (ESMMP-OP) are used for monitoring and review of database of land and water animals.
All projects currently in operation both in Thailand and overseas have undergone preliminary site potential assessments to ensure compliance with relevant legal requirements. Additionally, the undergo an environmental impact assessment that might affect natural resources, the economy, society and health during project development.
Mitigation Hierarchy
Ensuring that our business growth has as little impact as possible on the natural environment and biodiversity is a significant challenge for B.Grimm Power. We seek to remedy the impact of our typical construction project whenever it is inevitable by applying the mitigation hierarchy to restore biodiversity. This mitigation hierarchy is in line with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines.
Mitigation Hierarchy
| Mitigation Hierarchy | |
|---|---|
| Avoid | We are determined to avoid operating in the following: Important wildlife habitats, legally protected areas near World Heritage sites, IUCN Category I-IV protected areas, areas in national parks, wildlife trails and reserved forests. Currently, all our projects are not located in any of above prohibited areas. |
| Minimise | Before beginning a project, we conduct a preliminary impact assessment to determine what may directly or indirectly affect the local community’s natural resources, environmental quality, health, hygiene, quality of life, or any other component both during construction and operation. We monitor and control our impacts on the community’s biological resources, environmental quality, hygiene, and quality of life by measuring relevant parameters such as noise pollution, air quality and effluent quality. We have various measures to minimise impact to ecosystem such as pollution treatment complied with requirements, Greenhouse Gas emission reduction measures, Biodiversity action plan (BAP) implementation. More detail can be found in section “Operation in High Biodiversity Risk Areas” |
| Restore and Regeneration | We implement land development activities for our project and adjacent areas to become a habitat and food sources from various species including migrating species. This is to minimising and rehabilitate our impact to biodiversity from our projects operation and construction. We also grow the local tree species at our project green areas and surrounding areas. The outcome of these activities are continuously disclosed in various format such as Biodiversity and Ornithology Assessment Report. More detail can be found in section “Performance 2023” |
| Transform | We involve in developing country’s Nation Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAPs), for example,
More detail can be found at section “Restoration of natural surroundings through a network of cooperation with communities and stakeholders |
Operation in High Biodiversity Risk Areas
Project areas with a high biodiversity risk include our solar power plants in Lat Krabang, Nong Chok and Sai Noi. All these 3 locations have been identified as important bird and biodiversity areas (IBA) through examination of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). We conducted a study on the behaviour of birds in these project areas and surrounding areas. The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for these 3 sites includes the following components:
Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
- Avoid using chemical herbicides that could cause toxin residues in the environment, affecting bird and wildlife resources in the project area
- Vegetation that needs to be reduced in height shall be mowed or brush-cut to an acceptable height, except where necessary to cut to ground level
- Consider fast-growing plants, e.g., tall grass, reeds, etc. Planting native plants, grass, shrubs, and reeds (e.g. tall reeds (Phragmites sp.), Sesbania sp. and Cattails (Typha sp.)) along the edge of the retention pond and green area should be implemented to maintain suitable habitat for avifauna, if possible
- Ensure that the entrances and project boundaries are suitable bird habitats. Whenever possible, collaborate with local authorities to plant trees in nearby public areas
- Keep track of any injuries or deaths of birds and other wildlife in project areas. Utilise the collected data to improve mitigation measures and further minimise the impacts of project areas on biological resources
- Monitor and assess avian and floral biodiversity within and around project areas
Restoration of natural surroundings through a network of cooperation with communities and stakeholders
B.Grimm Power advocates for active participation in biodiversity and related activities that involve communities and stakeholders across all sectors. We also encourage our network to refrain from causing any impact on biodiversity while restoring the ecosystem sustainably As members of the United Nations Global Compact, we are actively involved in driving policies development related to biodiversity in collaboration with the government. Moreover, we are in discussions regarding the formulation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement biodiversity conservation efforts between B.Grimm Power and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP). All of these collaborations aim to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices within the business sector.
In 2023, B.Grimm Power has participated in and supported activities aimed at enhancing knowledge and understanding of biodiversity among government and non-government agencies as follows:
- Organised an exhibition and participated in activities on the International Day of Biodiversity under the topic “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”
- Hosted an educational lecture activity on the “Situation and Trends of Biodiversity and Sustainability in the Business sector” by the Biodiversity Management Division, Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) in collaboration with the Office of Bio – Based Economic Development (Public Organisation)
- Pledged the joint agreement for Finance for Biodiversity (Fin4Bio) together with 31 organisations from government authorities, private sector, and financial institutions. The Finance for Biodiversity was established to develop the fund raising mechanism, development of biodiversity taxonomy, and identify measures to support nature positive economy in each country
- Engaged in “Citizen Science” activities in collaboration with the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) to encourage the participation from educational institutions, youth, public and environmental networks in biodiversity conservation efforts
Performance 2023
Remark:
1 Data from the results of the survey of bird species in 2022, the next survey scheduled for 2027.
2 The total number of projects implemented is 62 projects, covering 1,023.02 hectares (decreased from the year 2022 82.79 hectares, due to report scope adjustment by exclusion of solar power plants under Joint Venture).
3 There were 62 operating sites, which undergoes a comprehensive review of land use and biodiversity every 5 years with each projects accounting for 100 percent of the assessment.
4 There were 3 sites assessed with biodiversity exposures, located in Thailand, and 3 sites in Laos have impacts on forest areas.
5 The total number of trees planted in 2008 – 2023. It does not include planting by other companies within the B.Grimm Group.
Biodiversity Risk and Impact Assessment Results
B.Grimm Power operated a total of 62 sites in 2023 covering a combined area of 1,023.02 hectares (10.23 sq.km.). During the past 5 years, the land use and biodiversity of all project sites were assessed, and no changes in land use or impacts on biodiversity were found. However, three sites reported biodiversity risk. They are renewable-energy sites in Thailand, covering 24.27 hectares (0.24 sq.km.), accounting for 2.4 percent of all operating areas. Two Power Plant Replacement sites in Laos were found to have minimal impact on some forest areas, covering 3.42 hectares (0.03 sq.km.), accounting for 0.3 percent of all operating areas. We have already formulated a Biodiversity Action Plan all sites where risks were identified. For the sites with impact on forest areas, we have carried out reforestation to provide habitats for creatures that used to live in the areas before the construction started. In this regard, no project was found in areas under legal protection, such as areas next to a world heritage site and areas protected under the IUCN Category I-IV.
Operation in High Biodiversity Risk Areas
Biodiversity risk and impact assessments have identified three sites with biodiversity risk; solar power plants (solar farms) in Lat Krabang, Nong Chok, and Sai Noi in Thailand. According to the biodiversity action plan (BAP), we have studied the diversity of bird species and their behaviours around the projects. A Biodiversity and Ornithology Assessment Report was then prepared by ornithology experts, which requires assessment during the construction period and monitoring of species diversity for three years after the operations start and followed by monitoring every five years during operation.
Results of the survey of bird species during 3 years of operation
Construction Phase: the survey taking place during December 2018-February 2019
Operation Phase: the survey taking place during December 2021-February 2022
During the operation, the environment surrounding the premises of the power plant was restored. It was observed that three years into the operation, an increased number of birds frequented the area. Among these birds are near-threatened (NT) species. Importantly, land use within one kilometre of the power plant appears suitable as a habitat for various types of bird, including water bird, bush bird, prairie bird, wild bird, and some types of city birds. Overall, a greater diversity of birds was found in and around the site than during the construction period. Moreover, some new species, which had been absent during the construction period, were found during the operating period. Consequently, , the impact caused by the solar farm project on birds’ existence and biodiversity is very low. Our next round of assessment is scheduled for 2027.
More species of near-threatened birds according to IUCN’s Red List were found in 2022 from only 2 in 2019, thus making 6 species of near-threatened of birds in total, namely:
- Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)
- Asian Golden Weaver (Ploceus hypoxanthus)
- Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
- Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)
- Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
- Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
Remarks:
Conservation status according to the IUCN Red List of threatened species includes:
CR (Critically endangered) - A species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EN (Endangered) - A species considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild
VU (Vulnerable) - A species considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
NT (Near-threatened) – A species that may be vulnerable to endangerment in the near future
LC (Least concern) - A species that is not a focus of species conservation because the specific species is still plentiful in the wild.
Forest Stewardship
B.Grimm Power has collaborated with the Royal Forest Department, the Industrial Estate Office, and other local authorities to launch a number of reforestation projects consecutively since 2008. We recognise the need to compensate for the loss of forested lands and improve the biodiversity of a critical ecosystem that has suffered from forest degradation, resulting in a slew of environmental issues. We continue to expand forested areas to improve biodiversity, restore nature’s balance, and promote ecosystem sustainability. Our efforts contribute to the expansion of animal habitats, the reduction of carbon emissions, and the development of ecology learning models. For the surrounding communities and the public, our projects serve as a source of information and environmental conservation awareness.
As of the end of 2023, B.Grimm Power had planted altogether 93,000 trees1 through various activities and in the reforestation project such as:
- Reforestation Model Project – to develop a carbon dioxide sequestration area for Smart Park Industrial Estate
- Ruam Jai Pithak Sing Waedlom Project (Cooperation to Protect the Environment Project) – in collaboration with Ban Chang Municipality
- Reforestation and Construction of a Stone Weir in Honour of H.M. the Queen
- Mangrove Reforestation Project in Honour of H.M. the King
- An activity to add more green space, foster the volunteer spirit, and conserve the forest and the environment
- An activity to release mangrove crabs and fish and to replant mangrove trees – in collaboration with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand
- Reforestation project “Let’s zero together, towards a sustainable future”, in collaboration with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand at the Sufficiency Economy Center, Laem Chabang Municipality
- Reforestation project and tree restoration project within the project areas such as Nam Che 1 Hydro Power Plant (NC1HP), in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resource and Environment, Chaisombon District, Laos PDR
- The tree restoration project within the areas of hydro power projects at Xenamnoy and Xekatam
1 The total number of trees planted in 2008 – 2023. It does not include planting by other companies within the B.Grimm Group.
