Biodiversity

VERBUND Biodiversity Policy

The diversity of species, the genetic diversity within species and the diversity of ecosystems are particularly important for a healthy, intact environment. 

VERBUND is therefore implementing numerous measures to protect, preserve and promote biodiversity. The measures range from the renaturalisation of green spaces and river sections to the establishment and maintenance of near-natural structures such as hedges or deadwood elements to the control of neophytes and the promotion of flower strips. 

All of these measures and actions are based on common principles that have been summarised in the VERBUND Biodiversity Policy. The Biodiversity Policy comprises internal specifications, the mapping of the most important principles and practices according to which we plan and implement projects and measures with an impact on the environment. The key points are based on the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy with the stages of avoidance, minimisation, restoration and compensation of residual impacts. In addition to the mitigation hierarchy, we also consider our environmental impact, take scientific findings into account and implement nature-based solutions. 

Protection, conservation and promotion of biodiversity

To safeguard and improve biodiversity VERBUND invests in environmental protection and in ecological measures.

Restoring the continuity of major rivers is one of the key objectives of the European Water Framework Directive. We fulfil this, wherever possible, through new, near-natural accompanying waterbodies. Not only fish, but also all organisms in and around the habitat of water benefit from fish bypasses and from the many bypass arms. These species can overcome barrages and continue their migration through fish bypasses. We are developing additional habitats along our watercourses and creating places of retreat for rare plant and animal species like amphibians, insects and birds. Restructuring measures and morphological alterations include for example the establishment of shallow water zones and additional side channels. Thus, we pay attention to linking new measures with existing projects, in order to generate synergies.

Experts regularly carry out ornithological monitoring at our wind parks in order to investigate the effects on the habitat and the breeding behaviour of various bird species. We implement measures and create biotopes for animal protection along transmission lines. Successful species protection projects include the promotion of bird species such as the great bustard, saker falcon, hoopoe or Ural owl. Biotope protection projects focus on transmission routes in forests which are popular retreats, breeding sites or feeding grounds for animals such as birds, insects or mammals. These areas can also be valuable habitats for rare and endangered plant species.  In intensively used agricultural areas, the areas under the poles are specially designed, so that they can serve as a refuge for many plants and animals