JSW - JSW-Energy-Sustainability-Framework-measuring-success-Biodiversity

Biodiversity

The importance of biodiversity for the JSW group cannot be overstated. Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms, their genetic diversity, and the ecosystems they inhabit. It plays a critical role in maintaining the balance and functioning of our planet's ecosystems. While our businesses may seem unrelated to biodiversity at first glance, there are several key reasons why we prioritize and promote biodiversity conservation.

Raw Material Dependency
Ecosystem Services
Sustainable Practices and Reputation
Regulatory Compliance
Innovation and Collaboration

In summary, JSW Group relies on biodiversity in various ways, from the availability of raw materials to the provision of ecosystem services. Prioritizing biodiversity conservation not only contributes to the sustainable supply of resources but also enhances the industry's reputation, ensures regulatory compliance, stimulates innovation, and fosters resilience.

We recognize the importance of biodiversity and we have taken ambitious target to achieve “No Net Loss” by 2030. Considering we have only 7 more years to achieve this target, we have taken a holistic approach to act swiftly and decisively to make significant, measurable and verifiable results.

Biodiversity Risk Assessment

JSW Energy Limited has 10 sites with a cumulative area of 3195.1687 Hectares. We have conducted risk assessment 9 sites with cumulative area of 1720.2157 Hectares and developed group level biodiversity action plan. 1 site at Barmer with area of 468 Hectares has been found to have high exposure to biodiversity related risks, and we have already developed Biodiversity Management Plan for Barmer. The scope of Biodiversity Risk Assessment is our own operations and areas adjacent to our own operations.

The risk assessment was conducted based the datasets provided by each site in the form of biodiversity Mapping (indicators developed by CII and shared with sites in excel format), documents provided such as EIA reports, site specific past biodiversity study reports, and secondary data sources. These documents were reviewed and assessed for developing impacts and dependencies matrix. Additionally, following aspects were taken into consideration while doing the risk assessment:

Mapping operations located within 10 km radius of protected areas, migratory routes, and Wetlands sites. Tools like DOPA, e-bird India and Wildlife Protected areas were used.
JSW Biodiversity Policy and IUCN No Net Loss (NNL) guidance documents and CBD guidance documents i.e., CBD Technical series will be referred for the assessment
IBBI Ecosystem Services Matrix tool (ESM) was used for ecosystem mapping, risk identification for each ecosystem and ecosystem services and measuring the effectiveness of existing management plans. The site-specific risk (impacts and dependencies) was developed as per JSW Biodiversity Technical Standard
Mapping the present biodiversity management plan at different operations developed as per Environmental Clearance requirement and meeting commitments to IBBI 10-point declaration
Mapping operations based on International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 6 (IFC PS6), UN CBD’s Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework targets for 2030 and 2050 goals, DJSI, Encore and TNFD LEAP Framework
Consultation with JSW Energy team to was undertaken to take inputs on gap assessment studies and data requirements to finalize the risk areas and map existing management measures

Additionally, Biodiversity risk management is integrated into multi-disciplinary company-wide risk management process.

Biodiversity Risks

Following key risks that have been identified:

Transition Risks:

Reputation Risk: Changes in sentiment towards organisation and its brand value due to impact on RET Species
Regulatory Risk: Any impact on protected biodiversity would trigger Wildlife Protection Act
Market Risk: Shifting customer/investor preferences to products that have positive impacts on nature/ mitigate negative impacts on nature

Physical Risks:

Changes in protection from natural hazard such as cyclone due to change in hazard mitigation services
Changes in regulating and maintenance ecosystem services such as noise and light pollution, pollination, carbon sequestration
Changes in the state of surface water ecosystem

To mitigate these risks and progress towards achieving our target of No Net Loss (NLL), we are adopting the following biodiversity risk mitigation hierarchy:

We shall consider ecological drivers, regulatory drivers, economic drivers and reputational drivers while applying above mitigation hierarchy to determine our action/intervention to manage biodiversity risks.

We have enlisted various activities/interventions along with their linkage with mitigation hierarchy which can be considered to reduce biodiversity risks during the different phases of the overall lifecycle of a manufacturing/mining location.

Activities Related to Avoidance and Minimisation:

Planning Phase	Construction Phase	Operation Phase
Avoidance of operations near protected areas, CRZ and Eco-sensitive zone of protected areas as per India’s protected areas, IUCN protected areas categories I-IV, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and wetlands	Avoidance through scheduling involves changing the timing of construction activities to avoid disturbing species during sensitive periods of their lifecycle.	Manual and machine removal of grasses and weed from the greenbelt areas. Removal of weeds and grasses after the flowering and seeding season is over (Monsoon and start of winter). Avoidance of weed and grass removal during nesting season of birds and wildlife (June to September).
Avoid acquiring Forest land and areas having high tree covers	Minimizing tree cutting during construction phase along with protecting native tress species in the acquired areas as per baseline assessment	Taking measures to reduce mortality to birds and bats by Windmill rotor blades
Minimization of land use change for the project through planning infrastructure	Avoidance or minimization of ground water extraction and surface water use during construction phase	Avoid sourcing of water from high conservation wetlands and rivers having high biodiversity areas
Integrating natural drainage system in the project design and avoidance of these areas during project planning phase.		Awareness creation of employees and workers for avoidance of snakes and birds nesting during management.
Avoidance of migratory path areas of birds, wildlife and natural wetlands for land acquisition.		Avoidance or Minimization of extraction of ground water.

Activities Related to Rehabilitation and Restoration:

Following are the actions that shall be implemented for restoration/rehabilitation of biodiversity or ecosystem services on which avoidance measures are not available and minimization measures are not possible.

Construction Phase	Operation Phase
Developing water harvesting structures to balance water requirement in construction phase	Developing landscape level interventions within project boundary to conserve water and regular maintenance of drainage system
Plantation of native tree in high noise and dust areas as a barrier	Restoration of natural ecosystems within project boundaries
Separately retaining and storing topsoil and sub-soil stripped from the construction areas for later use during reinstatement	Plantation of native trees species. Using indigenous and non-invasive species for landscaping and rehabilitation works. Using soil, mulch and vegetation debris (that contain natural seed stock) to facilitate natural revegetation of disturbed areas, where reasonably practicable.
	Developing Fireline to reduce fire incident during the dry sessions
	Wetland convention - Principles and guidelines for wetland restoration to manage the Water requirements

Activities Related to Offsetting:

Following activities can be considered while offsetting the impact.

Operation Phase

Undertake afforestation activity in the nearby areas of project to restore natural forest, control of invasive species and addressing drives of biodiversity loss.

Support local Forest office for protecting Rare, Endangered, Endemic and Threated Wildlife considering the criticality of the project and impacts on the specific species.

Wetland convention - Principles and guidelines for wetland restoration in proximity of the projects and sourcing location of water.

Invest in implementation of Ecosystem-based solution over technological solution for addressing biodiversity impacts (Ex. sewage water treatment for villages to reduce pollution load in natural wetlands and rivers)