Environmental Sustainability Benefits
Climate change poses a threat to a number of different habitats across East Anglia, both coastal and inshore.
Wetlands across England’s east coast were added to the UK’s tentative list of World Heritage sites, along with just five others, on the way to joining UNESCO’s World Heritage list, which recognises cultural and natural heritage across the globe “considered to be of outstanding universal value to humanity”.
A shift to net zero will help to safeguard these wetlands, and other key environments such as The Broads, heathland areas, marshes and mudflats, woodland, The Fens and grassland. This is because efforts to reach net zero often come with measures that see natural habitats restored, not just protected.
For example, Sizewell C, as well as pledging to look after the local environment throughout construction and not build on any land owned by RSPB Minsmere, is going to create a new area of wetland. Through this, it says wildlife will be able to thrive.
ScottishPower Renewables, meanwhile, as well as carrying out extensive surveys before the construction of the cable route for East Anglia ONE then relocated species where necessary, provided alternative habitats and ceased work when needed. It also put in place Vegetation Management Plans and carried out land reinstatement where superior vegetation and grassland was put in once construction completed.
These net zero projects will bring cleaner air and cleaner water which can only benefit rural and agricultural areas. A more efficient use of resources and reduced chemical inputs as part of a cleaner, greener future can also pave the way for sustainable agriculture. This means healthier soils. This means reduced environmental impacts.