Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Business: Case Studies

Transcription

1 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Business: Case Studies NBBN Indaba: 25 February 2015 Daphney Ramaphosa, Senior Manager: Natural Capital, Transnet SOC Ltd

2 Contents Transnet s value creation model Risk and Trends Transnet s approach mainstreaming biodiversity into business Case studies Kamfersdam EChwebeni Conservation Site Monitor Lizards at Vierfontein-Orkney Line. Lessons Learnt

3 Transnet s value creation model Business uses various capitals as inputs and, through its business activities, converts them to outcomes Capital Outcomes Employment Skills development Industrial building capability Investment leveraged Regional Integration Transformation Health and safety Community development Environmental Stewardship Biodiversity Enhancement Water Efficiency Waste Optimisation Sustainable Supply Chain Sustainability Risk & Opportunity Assessment The capitals represent stores of value that can be built up, transformed or run down over time in the production of goods or services. Their availability, quality and affordability can affect the long term viability of an organisation s business model and its ability to create or destroy value over time. Source: Transnet Integrated Annual Report

4 What is biodiversity Ecological Infrastructure is nature s equivalent of built infrastructure; functioning ecosystems that deliver valuable services to society; and a network of interconnected structural elements in the ecosystem. mountains, catchments, rivers, wetlands, spawning grounds,

5 Risks and Trends Despite being fundamental to our wellbeing, the daily use of biodiversity remains almost undetected within our economic system. Poor accounting (valuing) and accountability for biodiversity loss The socio-economic system must recognize, understand and account for our use of Natural Capital and the true cost of economic growth and sustaining human wellbeing today and into the future. WEF: Risk Report 2015

6 Transnet s approach to mainstreaming Undergoing robust and comprehensive risk, opportunity and dependency assessment processes which identify key areas of biodiversity risks/opportunities. Clear, unambiguous policy and strategy that demonstrates commitment to address the identified risks, opportunities and dependencies presented by biodiversity The development of suitable biodiversity performance goals, targets and indicators, in conjunction with key stakeholders in government, the investment community and conservation organisations. Ensure that activities are targeted at priority areas and are commensurate with the scale of the risk/opportunity. This does not preclude supporting or undertaking activities in low risk areas. Enhancing internal and external assurance processes for biodiversity management systems

7 Case Studies: Kamfersdam Pan Flamingos (1). Category Description Northern Cape, Kimberly. Major breeding ground for flamingos. Water level rise owing to constant runoff Context and untreated sewage water flooding the Flamingo Island. Railway stability and Flamingo breeding Kamfersdam Pan Rail line space threatened. Rail line R74 m was invested to remedy the problem in collaboration with the Sol Plaatjie Sewerage plant Municipality and Birdlife SA. A pipeline to divert water from Kamfersdam to Langleg Pan and then Project description to the Vaal river system to lower the water level. This would also protect the railway and the flamingos breeding area. 7 7

8 Case Studies: Kamfersdam Pan Flamingos (2). Key Successes Before After 8

9 Case Studies:Port of Richards Bay EChwebeni Conservation Site (1) Category Description Context Declared an area of conservation significance in hectares with over 450 creatures, over 140 bird species and 3 of South Africa s mangrove species. Eroding shoreline and deposition of sand owing to tidal waters caused by vessels. The erosion of the shoreline resulted in the loss of white mangrove. Three species of mangrove trees occur in the NHS, namely the white mangrove (Avicennia marina), the black mangrove (Briguiera gymnorhiza) and the red mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata). 9 9

10 Case Studies:Port of Richards Bay EChwebeni Conservation Site(2) Category Description Project Description Floating breakwater system (pontoons). The pontoons extend over a distance of approximately 700 m from the existing walkway of Berth 208 to Spinach Point. They act as a floating wave attenuating structure. Absorbs the energy of the waves and directs the waves to different areas of the shoreline thereby protecting the natural vegetation from the negative impact of the waves crashing against the shore. These pontoons are designed to achieve 70% to 80% wave reduction efficiency Anchoring Pontoons Pontoons Anchored 10 1

11 Case Studies:Port of Richards Bay EChwebeni Conservation Site (3) Category Key Successes Description The pontoons quell waves before they reach the mangrove swamps, protecting the mangroves from being destroyed. The system allows faunal migration between mangroves and open tidal waters. The submerged sections of the pontoons create artificial habitat likely to be colonised by invertebrates and fish. The floating pontoons could also become a significant roost area for birds. 11 1

12 Case Studies: Monitor Lizards at Vierfontein-Orkney Line. Category Description Context Project Description The Vierfontein- Orkney branch line reopened in 2012/13 for the transportation of agricultural goods. During rehabilitation of the line, rock monitor lizards were discovered with their burrows located within the servitude This necessitated the adaptation of the rail operations for the survival of these species. A Biodiversity Impact Study: Train speed restrictions to prevent/ minimise disturbance on the habitat Weekly track inspections of the habitats are undertaken Capture and relocation is the last option- if the lizard continues to burrow the rail formation, they are not relocated. 12 1

13 Lessons Learnt Stakeholder engagement is fundamental to maximising the benefits of biodiversity Interdepartmental collaborations: Collaboration between NGOs, companies, financial institutions, government agencies and civil society to determine conservation priorities Biodiversity considerations should be incorporated into corporate strategy of business Monitoring: to ensure that impacts are not reversed due to poor management

14 TRANSNET AUDITED RESULTS 2014