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| Peter Johan Schei (Photo: Jan Sørensen, FNI) |
"It is commendable that Hydro sets high goals in this area," says biologist Peter Johan Schei from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.
"When Hydro states in its new policy on biodiversity that it has an 'aspiration towards no net loss of biodiversity', it shows that it wants to be a global leader in its environmental efforts. This is admirable because it is a confirmation that during the company's planning, it takes into account environmental considerations and the protection of biological diversity along with the assessment of economic factors," he says.
Close monitoring
Schei argues, however, that such high ambitions for biodiversity are extremely difficult to meet. It requires extensive knowledge and a conscious, continuous effort with long-term monitoring. In addition the goal must address all impacts on diversity, including emissions, access roads, pipelines and the like. He also underscores that evaluating the impact on pristine nature and on nature already affected by human activity require totally different approaches.
"My experience with Hydro is that the company has a fundamentally sound approach to protecting the environment. This has been confirmed through the assessment of several projects where the company has raised serious questions about the impact on nature, such as the flooding of wetlands for hydroelectric projects where the power generated is to be used for aluminium production. In some cases there may be compelling reasons to search for alternatives or conclude that the project should not be implemented," he emphasizes.
"From a biological and conservation point of view there can be significant value in avoiding projects that impact pristine nature with rich biological diversity," he adds.
Schei says that extensive preparatory work is needed to obtain the necessary biological knowledge before a project is initiated. There are also many challenging issues to consider once a project is underway if the aim is to protect biodiversity. He points out that the extraction of bauxite must be done sequentially to allow for a successful restoration of the area through replanting and wildlife preservation. It may be necessary to establish corridors and buffer zones.
"We also know that much of the seed dispersal in forest areas is carried out by birds, bats and, in the case of Brazil, large rodents. Their living conditions also have to be secured. Finally, you have to pay special attention to rare and endangered species.
Alternative goals
"Should the ambition level be lower when the raw material extraction takes place in areas where there has already been significant human impact, such as in Paragominas in Brazil, where the forest in the mining area was partly affected by logging and conversion to grazing?
"This means having to make important choices. You could say it is partly a political reputation decision for a mining and industrial company. One goal could be to try to return the area to its original natural state, as far as possible. An easier goal could be to restore it back to its condition before the bauxite extraction occurred or to prepare the area for a different use. If the first goal is chosen, i.e. 'net gain' in terms of biodiversity, then follow-up on the ground will be more extensive: in terms of time, cost, monitoring, impact assessment research and more.
See the big picture
Schei also points out that overall environmental considerations must be based on the criteria established by the Brundtland Commission's report on sustainable development: it is the total picture that counts.
"If we assume that it is good to use aluminium -- partly because it is a light metal that impacts the environment less when it is used than other materials -- then it should be acceptable to extract aluminium's raw material, bauxite. However, the extraction of bauxite will often be controversial since it is found mainly in tropical areas where there are rain forests with rich biodiversity and extensive carbon storage. The extraction must take place with great awareness of the responsibilities that it entails, so that the biological footprint that is left can be as small as possible," he concludes.
Peter Schei has previously been an advisor to Hydro, including in connection with project plans in Iceland, Ghana, Australia, Qatar and Indonesia.
