Biodiversity Preventive Measures
[GRI 304-3 (2016)]
To ensure that ecosystems and biodiversity surrounding EGCO Group’s power plant are conserved and appropriately managed, EGCO Group has set up a committee of experts to inspect the progress of each project. Such inspections are a part of the monitoring and mitigation plan in order to assess annual performance. The following projects are also implemented to monitor in case there are any incidents that may affect ecosystems and biodiversity.
Survey project on developing a database for monitoring changes in ecosystems and biodiversity during the commercial operation of power plant.
Conservation and restoration projects for wildlife and land and water ecosystems within a radius of 3-5 kilometers surrounding the power plant.
Knowledge management and development project on conservation and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity for employees, communities, and local stakeholders.
In addition, EGCO Group has collaborated to work with external partners to fulfill our commitment towards biodiversity, as follows:
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Thailand Bio-Diversity Network Alliance (B-DNA)
Qualifications of External Partners
Aichi Biodiversity Targets The alliance has an objective to promote nature conservation in Thailand’s private sector, raising awareness and empowering through building networks to work on conservation projects throughout Thailand. The alliance is committed to improving biodiversity and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Scope of Collaborated Works (Biodiversity assessment/ management)
Promote knowledge and understanding to raise awareness and participation in conserving biodiversity through communication channels related to the company
Our power plants plan to contribute their data as part of developing biodiversity mapping for wildlife at risk of extinction as reported in the IUCN Red List Species.
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Chulalongkorn University, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science
Qualifications of External Partners
The institution is expertise and well-knowledge in natural resource conservation and biodiversity.
Scope of Collaborated Works (Biodiversity assessment/ management)
Khanom Power Plant conducted biodiversity survey in collaboration with the research faculty from the Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Chulalongkorn University to establish a record of species found, along with the analysis and classification of important species, focal species, and flagship species.
Khanom Power Plant is in the process of planning activities to promote the conservation of natural resources continuously. In order to build on the results of the biodiversity species survey.
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Department of Environment and Natural Resource, Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR - BMB), Philippines
Qualifications of External Partners
A government organization is responsible for sustainable conservation and biodiversity management.
Scope of Collaborated Works (Biodiversity assessment/ management)
Quezon power plant has collaborated on a wildlife and sea turtle conservation program since 2007. The program helps reduce the risk of extinction of wildlife and sea turtles by monitoring wildlife and birds found near the power plant and making comparisons to IUCN Redlist Species. For sea turtle conservation, the power plant collaborated with related partners on organizing activities to promote knowledge and training for local communities. Specifically, fishermen groups are responsible for taking pictures, measuring the size of sea turtles, identifying species, attaching tags in accordance with the standards of relevant agencies, as well as recording the information prior to releasing the sea turtle back to sea.
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Office of Environment and Heritage (New South Wales)
Qualifications of External Partners
The office is responsible for caring and protecting the environment and heritage, which includes the natural environment in aboriginal countries, culture and heritage, and heritage built in New South Wales.
Scope of Collaborated Works (Biodiversity assessment/ management)
Boco Rock Wind Farm (Australia) implemented the biodiversity bio-banking program in 2 areas, Lochla of 443.86 Hectares and Weerona of 656 Hectares. The program ensures that activities related to grazing for conservation and weed control are carried out accordingly to the bio-banking area treatment agreement.
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Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)
Qualifications of External Partners
An agency under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, responsible for science, technology, and innovation research, development, and integration. The objectives are to generate value added to the economy of Thailand, transfer technology and innovation to the industrial sector and community enterprise, and provide analysis, test, calibration, quality assurance, training, and consultant services.
Scope of Collaborated Works (Biodiversity assessment/ management)
The Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation (TCOF), established by EGCO Group, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation regarding “The Promotion of Utilizing Research Findings for Commercial and Social Benefits.” The cooperation aims to transfer research findings, scientific knowledge, technology, and innovation to the communities in the watershed forest to enhance understanding and upgrade the quality of life of the community to empower them to co-exist with the forest sustainably while practically protecting the watershed ecosystem to the highest efficiency. This is a continuing project from 2020-2021 that aims to transfer the knowledge of cultivating wild mushrooms (mycorrhiza) to the students in 30 schools under the Thai Conservation of Forest Youth Network, Chiang Mai Province.
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Royal Thai Forest Department
Qualifications of External Partners
An agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, responsible for controlling, supervising, preventing forest encroachment, and supporting forest restoration.
Scope of Collaborated Works (Biodiversity assessment/ management)
Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation (TCOF) or Thai Rak Pa Foundation, established and supported by EGCO Group, have entered into a 5-year memorandum of cooperation for "Conservation and Restoration of Natural Resources in Watershed and Community Forests." This partnership comprises six missions:
- Conservation and restoration of forest resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity;
- Supporting a collaborative forest plantation;
- Supporting and promoting the establishment of nature study trails and interpretive signage systems in recreational forests;
- Supporting ranger's operations;
- Building community and youth networks for their involvement in forest resource conservation;
- Supporting exploration, research, and personnel training for the conservation of natural resources.
Additionally, in 2023, EGCO Group collaborated with various agencies involved in biodiversity operations of Thailand, including Suanluang Rama IX Foundation, Chaipattana Foundation, Office of the Royal Development Projects Board, International Mangrove Botanical Garden Rama IX International Mangrove Botanical Garden Rama IX Foundation, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Chitralada Technology Institute, Kasetsart University, National Research Council of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency, and Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (Public Organization) to organize the International Conference on Biodiversity (IBD 2023) on the topic “Biodiversity: Key to Better Life”. The conference aims to enable biodiversity experts to exchange opinions on ecosystem conservation, climate change, the circular economy model, biodiversity, and international cooperation. There were academic conferences, exhibitions, and research showcases from institutes, communities, universities, the government sector, non-profit organizations, and private agencies both from Thailand and overseas.
EGCO Group also participated in the conference through exhibition showcases, exchanging experiences, and presenting its sustainable operational objectives under the theme “EGCO Group Pathway towards Net Zero Emissions Target”. This showcase aims to show the collective strength of both Thailand and international networks in conserving natural resources, preserving biodiversity, and addressing climate change issues.