Foresight has teamed up with the Eden Project to launch its Nature Recovery Blueprint, which offers practical guidance to implement nature-positive management practices across renewable energy sites.
The blueprint aims to support land managers, developers and asset operators in implementing nature-positive land practices. It does this by defining and demonstrating the role of business in supporting nature recovery; giving greater visibility and access to existing nature-positive initiatives currently being conducted nationwide; suggesting actions that will support nature recovery above and below ground, contributing to biodiversity and climate targets locally and nationally; and providing places for positive nature connection for local communities.
While the blueprint focuses on solar sites, Foresight said it is also applicable across various asset types including wind, forestry, pumped-storage hydro and more.
“Partnering with the Eden Project, the Nature Recovery Blueprint illustrates the pivotal role businesses 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 at Foresight.
The launch event was held at one of Foresight’s solar sites in Cornwall and brought together 20 individuals from public and private sectors to take part in Natural England’s butterfly conservation project, creating habitats for the endangered Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
Butterflies serve as crucial bioindicators, reflecting the health of the environment through their rapid responses to ecological changes. The decline or resurgence of butterfly populations can signal broader shifts in ecosystem health, emphasising the urgency of conservation efforts.
By planting over 600 Devil’s-but-Scabious – the primary food source for the Marsh Fritillary – participants were able to contribute to the establishment of much-needed habitats that support native butterflies. These interventions are designed to address the impact of habitat fragmentation and help rebuild the metapopulation of endangered species, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
According to the World Economic Forum, over half of the world’s GDP – $44trn of economic value generation – is at moderate or severe risk due to nature depletion, with a fifth of nature’s ecosystems on the verge of collapse.
Juliet Rose, head of development at the Eden Project, added: “The collaboration between Foresight, the National Wildflower Centre at the Eden Project, and Natural England showcases the power of partnership in driving meaningful conservation efforts. By working together, we can create tangible positive impacts for biodiversity and inspire others to take action.”
