Collaborating with local stakeholders to protect biodiversity

Collaborating with local stakeholders to protect biodiversity

Background

Over the past decades, the population of certain bird species have come under threat in Spain and several of these species are endangered, creating concerns around biodiversity. Spain accounts for more than 90% of these so-called necrophagous birds, a group that includes vultures and kites and feed on the remains of dead animals, playing an important in the natural process of environmental regeneration and preventing the spread of disease.

A key factor for this decline is the lack of food in the birds’ habitats, mainly linked to human activities. While authorities and other stakeholders have put in place several initiatives over the past years, including some aimed at providing additional food for these species, these measures have not been effective for all species, especially smaller birds.

ESG in action

Since 2022, Repsol Renewables has been working with local authorities, farmers and an NGO in Aragon, Spain, to combat biodiversity loss. The initiative focuses on two protected necrophagous species in Spain: the red kite and the Egyptian vulture.

Among the different activities, Repsol Renewables initiated the creation and ongoing monitoring of a supplementary feeding point for these birds. Several specific measures have been implemented to attract and/ or provide protection to these species while feeding. These include: (i) carefully selecting the location of feeding areas, (ii) planting native vegetation in feeding areas and (iii) installing purpose-built perches.

Additionally, collaboration agreements with livestock farmers in the area were established to create the so-called food protection zones for necrophagous species. In these zones, the farmers are exempt from burning part of the carcasses of animals, which instead provides nutrition to necrophagous species.

Outcome

Over the first two years of the program, the main milestones achieved are (i) the non-seasonal presence of three pairs of Egyptian vultures in the feeding area, (ii) the increase in the presence of juvenile individuals and (iii) the execution of five agreements with local farmers for the establishment of deposit zones for carcasses. These positive impacts are expected to become even more material over the next four years as the program develops.

More broadly, this initiative is supporting the recovery of the natural food habitat of necrophagous species by promoting synergies between the protection of the habitat of threatened species and the conservation of social aspects linked to the country’s extensive livestock farming activities.

Additionally, over 2,800 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided because farmers did not have to burn carcasses of animals.

Note: Case study for illustration purposes only. Holdings are subject to change, this does not constitute investment advice to buy or sell the presented securities.