Biodiversity
Climate change and biodiversity loss are closely interconnected issues. Within the Swedish iron and steel industry, many activities are underway that aim to strengthen and increase biodiversity on site.
The image illustrates an example of biodiversity and was taken at the Lotsängen landfill in Oxelösund, which is SSAB’s oldest landfill. Prior to the final covering, it was decided to leave the area without further maintenance, which has turned it into a haven for nesting birds and butterflies.
Photo: SSAB.
Most Europeans have heard of IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Fewer are familiar with IPBES, an abbreviation for Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The purpose of the panel is to provide knowledge and relevant tools and methods for biodiversity and ecosystem services in the 129 member countries of the United Nations (UN).
In the Swedish iron and steel industry, various activities are currently underway that aim to increase biodiversity in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Among our co-owners and stakeholder companies, there are many good examples.
Strengthening Ecosystem Services
- Green spaces
- Clean water
- Fresh air
- Bees that pollinate (growing crops and other plants)
The list above includes examples of so-called ecosystem services. These are vital to human life but are often taken for granted. Since our ecosystems have degraded for such a long time, we need to “create nature”. This can be done through ecological remediation and ecological compensation, which means companies compensate for the natural values that are lost or simply create nature on their own sites. The values can be restored at the site where the activity takes place or elsewhere.
Strengthening ecosystem services is not only essential for air quality and clean water but for vegetation as well, contributing to carbon storage which in turn helps to mitigate climate change. In addition, many studies show that people's physical and mental health is far better in green areas compared to areas without vegetation.
Networks, Regulations, and Tools for Biodiversity
Jernkontoret is a member of the network Business@Biodiversity Sweden. The network started as an initiative by Jernkontoret, Svemin, and the consulting company Ecogain with the aim of creating a broad business network for biodiversity and strategic business development. Today, the network is run by Ecogain.
Sweden has signed the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), committing to safeguard and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Read more about the convention on the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's website Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
In December 2022, the UN Conference on Biological Diversity was held in Canada, CBD COP15 in Montreal, where the world's countries agreed on a new global framework for biodiversity, also called the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).
CLIMB (Changing Land Use Impact on Biodiversity) is another example of the high level of ambition in Sweden. CLIMB is a tool developed to measure biodiversity in areas with changed land use in industrial zones. The tool can also be used to prioritize an area with higher natural value over another. CLIMB has already been used by mining companies as a calculation model in environmental permit assessments.
How Industry Creates New Nature
All steel-producing companies have landfills. These are filled and closed in accordance to strict legal regulations. If nothing is done, vegetation usually starts growing on top of the closed landfill areas. Planting endemic trees and vegetation to increase biodiversity, create wetlands, or give way to open water bodies that benefit different species and ecosystems are some examples of actions taken by companies to create new natural areas.
By analyzing the ecological conditions and accessibility of the area, added value can be created for both people and other living creatures, as well as plant species. An area can become a nature reserve, a recreational area, a football field, a walking path, or simply a pleasant green space for staff to enjoy their lunch. Several projects have been developed in collaboration between industrial companies, the County Administrative Board, and municipalities. Click here for examples of how companies are working to promote biodiversity.
As part of raising awareness about the work for biodiversity, Jernkontoret has installed a beehive with around 50,000 bees on the roof. Insects make vital contributions to our survival. The beehive serves as a reminder of the importance of ecosystem services and that we can all contribute, big or small, to biodiversity even in a large city. Photo: Jernkontoret
