11/16/2022
Feature
Preserving biodiversity: a major challenge for the Company
TotalEnergies' ambition
As a major player in the energy transition, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.
The Company has pledged to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to the conservation of biodiversity. Aware of the challenges related to environmental management and the use of the planet’s natural resources, TotalEnergies strives to manage the environmental effects of all its projects and operations according to the Mitigation Hierarchy principle of avoidance, minimisation, restoration and offsetting.
The work undertaken since 2021 has made it possible to consolidate the 2050 vision of a TotalEnergies whose global activities would achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, together with society, in line with the Net Zero vision promoted by the International Energy Agency.
We implement specific and concrete actions on site to manage the impacts of all our operations on biodiversity. The approach that underpins our actions: avoid foremost, minimise what cannot be avoided, and as a last resort, offset impacts when necessary. We strive to protect biodiversity wherever we operate and throughout the life cycle of our facilities.
Our daily commitments
Protecting biodiversity in our projects
Protection of wildlife and flora near our new wind farm located at Réunion Island
The solar and wind power plants of La Perrière on Réunion Island are located close to the heart of the Island’s park, a category II, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed area. To avoid and minimize their impact on this fragile ecosystem, TotalEnergies has set up a biodiversity action plan.
This region is home to mid altitude wetlands, remarkable plant species and several endangered species of animals. These include the Bourbon green gecko, a reptile that is native to Réunion Island and the Réunion harrier, both listed as endangered by the IUCN. The biodiversity action plan seeks to protect these species with specific measures such as the relocation of geckos to specific sanctuaries.
Restoring peat at our Shetland Islands industrial site
Peatlands are natural wetlands with an extremely rich biodiversity. Made up of several layers, they sustain remarkable wildlife and flora on their surface. They provide invaluable lessons on past vegetation, evolution of climates and some human activities. In addition, they play a key role in carbon capture and sequestration, helping to combat climate change.
To preserve the island’s natural and historic heritage, the construction of the Shetland Gas Plant and its surrounding infrastructure was carried out in consultation with local authorities.
During the construction works of the Shetland Islands gas plant in Scotland, the peat, which covered the site, was excavated and stored in two huge reservoirs equipped with cutting-edge technology. It will be stored there in perfect condition without releasing CO2. When the plant is dismantled in 40 years, the peat will be replaced in its initial natural state. TotalEnergies has pledged to restore the site at the end of its operation.