Biodiversity Policy
For Atlantica, the protection of the ecosystem is a critical issue for global sustainability; we intend to promote its conservation as an essential means for environmental, eco-nomic and social progress.
With this policy implementation we emphasize our commitment to protecting biodiver-sity, consequently minimizing and having “no net loss”, or, a “net positive impact”, on biodiversity conservation in areas where we operate.
At Atlantica, we are aware that our assets can cause interactions with various ecosystems, landscapes and species. The Company therefore commits to promoting the biodiversity of the ecosystems, allowing balanced co-existence, and conserving, protecting and pro-moting the development and growth of the natural ecosystem.
Our goal is to minimize and/or compensate any potential negative impacts that our ac-tivities may have on biodiversity. We seek to:
- Identify biodiversity priority areas and avoid operating in areas with the highest biodiversity value.
- Maintain biodiversity preservation in the strategy of the Company, including in investment decisions.
- Apply the principle of mitigation hierarchy which is comprised of a sequence of four steps: (a) Avoidance, (b) Minimisation, (c) Restoration, and (d) Offsets.
- Apply a preventive approach to minimize the impacts of new infrastructure on biodiversity, bearing in mind the entire life cycle of the asset.
- Manage and compensate in quantity and quality the negative impacts produced on the environment, for example by the implementation of reforestation programs.
- Promote the offset of impacts caused by the Company’s activities and the restoration of natural resources: “no net loss” or “net positive impact” on biodiversity conservation in the communities where we operate (e.g., through land rehabilitation).Commit to minimize deforestation in all our operational activities and to select suppliers taking into consideration the biodiversity impact of their product or service.
- Set targets and deadlines related to biodiversity in targeted areas.
- Include biodiversity in the analysis, management and reporting of risks.
- Supervise and assess our impact on biodiversity to minimize our impact.
- Work to meet or exceed laws and regulations related to biodiversity.
- Identify and implement best practices appropriately.
- Collaborate with governments, local communities, civil organizations and other biodiversity stakeholders in biodiversity conservation, awareness and research, when appropriate.
- Transparently report key measures taken on biodiversity.
This Policy applies to the Company and each of its subsidiaries, including all directors, officers and employees, and in all geographic locations, regardless of the local practices. In those assets and joint ventures where Atlantica does not have operational control, the Company will do everything it reasonably can to encourage joint ventures and partners follow similar principles.
Atlantica’s senior management are responsible for ensuring and monitoring the implementation of this Policy.
The Policy is effective from the date of its approval and for an indefinite period and may be updated or revised if considered necessary. All revisions will be subject to approval by the Board of Directors of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure Plc.
Non-compliance with this Policy, including concerns, may be reported anonymously or otherwise to the Company’s Compliance Committee at or through our Whistleblowing Channel available on our website (www.atlantica.com).
The Company guarantees confidentiality and no retaliation of any kind against anyone who reports an issue. These principles may be suspended if a person does not act in good faith or if it was otherwise required under the law.
This Policy was approved by the Board of Directors in May 2020 and was last amended in September 2023.