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Energy

About this sector

Energy is required every day in different forms and its use lies at the core of modern industrialized society. Global demand for energy is growing steadily, particularly in emerging countries seeking economical development. Nowadays, fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), nuclear and renewable sources (solar and wind energy, hydropower, biofuels) are the three main types of energy resources.


Impacts

  • Habitat loss and alteration from infrastructure development, biofuel cultivation and hydropower production.
  • Water consumption for the production of oil and gas, as well as biofuel that can impact local water supplies.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and the clearance of forest for biofuel cultivation.
  • Pollution from oil spills, nuclear waste and agricultural chemicals used in biofuel production.

Opportunities/Risks

  • Regulatory risk: increasing requirements for redress through legislation such as the EU Liability Directive, and that of countries such as Brazil and the USA that requires impacts to be offset or compensated for.
  • License to operate: strong relationships with regulators can result in obtaining agreement to operate in less time.
  • Reputation: managing biodiversity can ensure a good reputation among local communities, governments and other stakeholders.

Case Studies


Partnering for biodiversity conservation on landfill sites

Partnering for biodiversity conservation on landfill sites

As part of its reputational risk management, SITA France is developing different programs aiming to conserve biodiversity on its landfill sites. These initiatives include field programs, such as the Red Kite conservation project, and development of new methodologies designed to better assess impacts on biodiversity and consequently better monitor conservation and rehabilitation actions.

Conserving biodiversity along distribution lines

Conserving biodiversity along distribution lines

Hydro-Québec is a government-owned utility with a single shareholder, the Québec government. Its mandate is to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in Québec. It sells surplus power on wholesale markets and is also active in arbitrage and purchase/resale transactions. The company has more than 23,000 employees and operates essentially with renewable energy sources, especially hydropower. Hydro-Québec relies on a total installed capacity of 36,427 MW, of which 97% comes from its 59 hydroelectric generating stations and 26 large reservoirs. Besides hydropower, it relies on wind power, which makes up 1% to 2% of its total capacity now and should rise to about 10% by 2015.


Tools and Mechanisms


GRI Oil & Gas sector supplement

GRI Oil & Gas sector supplement

https://www.globalreporting.org/reporting/sector-g...

The Oil and Gas Sector Supplement (O&GSS) provides organizations in the sector with a tailored version of GRI’s G3.1 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. It includes the original Guidelines, which set out the Reporting Principles, Disclosures on Management Approach and Performance Indicators for economic, environmental and social issues. The Supplement’s additional commentaries and Performance Indicators, developed especially for the sector, capture the issues that matter most for oil and gas companies.
International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA)

International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA)

http://www.ipieca.org/

IPIECA is the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues. It represents a partnership between leading energy companies and conservation organizations to develop and promote best practices for integrating biodiversity conservation into oil and gas development and transmission.
Brands for Life

Brands for Life

http://www.life.aim.be/

The branded goods industry aims to ensure the continual improvement of the quality of life enjoyed by consumers, employees and the communities in which they operate. The organization believes that the branded goods industry can lead in the following ways: develop and market innovative goods and services that have a more sustainable life-cycle; further optimize the economic and environmental efficiency as well as the social impact of current products and activities; and communicate their efforts on sustainable development based on proven science. Brands can play a role in shaping consumer behaviour towards more sustainable choices.
Build Up

Build Up

http://www.buildup.eu/

This initiative supports EU Member States in implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). It provides information on best practices, technologies and legislation for energy reduction.
National Wind Coordinating Collaborative

National Wind Coordinating Collaborative

http://www.nationalwind.org/

The US Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC) provides a neutral forum for a wide range of stakeholders to pursue the shared objective of developing environmentally, economically, and politically sustainable commercial markets for wind power in the United States.

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