How to deliver benefits for biodiversity through the delivery of energy transmission infrastructure
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In this presentation, Jon Davies, Head of RSK Wilding, will talk about how ecology should not be seen as a constraint by major energy transmission projects but instead as an opportunity to deliver lasting benefits for nature, people and the wider environment while delivering critical infrastructure. In particular, Jon will talk about biodiversity net gain (BNG) and how this mandatory legal instrument is being used in England to help reverse biodiversity loss without compromising development.
Jon will be joined by Kathryn Skinner (also of RSK Wilding) and Simon Boulter (RSK Biocensus), who will provide very different examples of how biodiversity and transmission infrastructure can work together; Kathryn will talk about our work delivering BNG for National Grid in the UK, and Simon will discuss how biodiversity enhancement can be provided in Africa associated with pipelines and other infrastructure.
Webinar speakers
Jon Davies
Director, RSK Wilding
Jon has been an ecological consultant for almost 30 years. Before that,Β he carried out tropical beetle research as part of theΒ biodiversityΒ division at the Natural History Museum in London. In early 2020, Jon set up RSK Wilding, a specialist team focusing on BNG and habitat restoration. The team is now 25 strong. He has worked onΒ numerousΒ projects concerning energy infrastructure (including pipelines, cableΒ routesΒ and overhead lines) and co-authored National Gridβs Options Appraisal Guidance forΒ locatingΒ and routeing such infrastructure.
Kathryn Skinner
Principal Ecologist, RSK Wilding
During her 12 years in ecological consultancy,Β Kathryn has worked onΒ numerousΒ Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, with a historicalΒ focus on all things bat related. Since 2021,Β Kathryn has been part of the RSK Wilding team,Β during which time she has focused on supporting a wide range of clients as they adapt to the implications of BNG on their internal processes, strategicΒ plansΒ and project-specific responsibilities. Kathryn is currently the BNG technical adviser for National Grid on several of their large-scale projects.
Simon Boulter
Director, RSK Biocensus
Simon is aΒ director of RSKΒ BiocensusΒ with 20 yearsΒ of industry experience. He has worked globally on biodiversity impact assessment studies, both collecting baseline data to international lender standards and undertaking due diligence reviews for potential project sponsors. He is currently engaged in designing biodiversity offsets for multiple energy projects across Africa. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Featured businesses
RSK Wilding
RSK Wilding is an exciting new ventureΒ on a mission toΒ useΒ rewildingΒ as a means of offsetting our clientsβ carbon and biodiversity impactsΒ whilst also having other environmental and social benefits. RSK Wilding is a multidisciplinary team bringing together an unrivalled breadth of expertise in biodiversity, land management and climate science from across the RSK group of businesses to help leave a lasting legacy for UK biodiversity, the environment and the climate.
Learn more about RSK WildingRSK Biocensus
RSK Biocensus is a leading ecological consultancy with a network of more than 700 highly skilled and experienced UK-based ecologists. The company joined RSK in April 2019.
Learn more about RSK Biocensus
Webinar series: Creating a Buzz
Weβre excited to unveil our latest campaign spotlighting one of the most critical challenges, and opportunities, of our time: global energy transmission. Join us for expert insights, webinar discussions and the real-world innovations that are helping overcome grid bottlenecks, connect remote renewable resources with high-demand regions and support the expansion of electrification worldwide.
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