Boosting ecosystems to counter climate change
Case story

Boosting ecosystems to counter climate change

On top of climate change the loss of biodiversity are immediate and intertwined threats to our planet. To fully understand how we affect surrounding habitats and biodiversity near our plants we started mapping the local environment. The aim is to contribute to strengthened biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

Healthy ecosystems provide us with clean air, clean water, and healthy soils for food production. They can also help counteract climate change, which is one of the reasons focus on biodiversity has grown significantly in the last couple of years. In December 2022, the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) wrapped up in Canada with a historic agreement, which includes goals to protect a third of the world’s biodiversity by 2030.

In 2020, Höganäs started a project to map the biodiversity and ecosystem services close to the plant in Höganäs, Sweden. The goal was to find out more about the species of animals and plants surrounding us, their wellbeing and how our business affects them.

“By mapping the biodiversity and ecosystem services, we understand how our company affects the surrounding environment. By knowing this, we can prioritise to lower the emissions that significantly impact the recipients. We can also work with different stakeholders to improve the robustness of ecosystems,” says Frida Lindbladh, Environmental Engineer, Environment and Safety.

The biodiversity mapping continued in 2021, with an in-depth study conducted at the Höganäs site in Höganäs. In 2022, we have progressed this work by searching for effective ways to monitor the changes over time. Since we are mostly searching for long term impacts on nature, and short time variations will occur, it makes some monitoring methods harder to use.

 “We are now looking at the possibilityof establishing a baseline for biodiversity in Höganäs Sweden. As a possible next step, we could use remote sensing and satellites to help us track the changes in the vegetation around the plant in Höganäs. If trials are successful, I have good hopes of using the technique at all plants, globally,” says Frida.

 

     
 

Understanding ecosystems

  • Höganäs mapped biodiversity and ecosystem services around the plant in Höganäs Sweden during 2020 and 2021.
  • The pilot study looking at the most effective way to track changes in the nature was conducted in 2022.
  • The next step is to use remote sensing and satellites to track changes in, for example, the on-site vegetation.
  • The aim is to create a deeper understanding of how we impact ecosystems close to us and be able to take effective action to minimise harm and increase our positive impact.