Through monitoring programmes, we continuously monitor biodiversity in the vicinity of our hydropower plants and our other operating sites. Among other things, we want to identify species on the IUCN Red Lists as well as national priority species in order to define appropriate measures for their protection and support. We aim to achieve the status of ‘ecologically valuable habitats’ for at least 30% of ewz’s operating sites by 2030.
naturemade star is the Swiss label for green power from hydroelectric and other renewable sources like sun, wind and biomass. Around one third of the electricity produced by ewz hydropower plants comes from five naturemade star-certified power plants located in the cantons of Aargau, the Grisons and Zurich. This electricity complies with strict environmental requirements relating to fish, aquatic invertebrates, aquatic plants, solid deposits and habitat diversity.
ewz maintains a number of funds for ecological improvement measures. For every kilowatt-hour of naturemade star-certified electricity sold, CHF 0.007 goes into one of these naturemade star funds. A total of CHF 4 million is available annually for the promotion of biodiversity. These funds are used to restore habitats like flowing water and wetlands, and to support domestic biodiversity. The focus of the nature conservation projects is on the catchment areas of ewz power plants and on areas in the vicinity of end users.
For the 14 large-scale operational sites in the canton of Zurich, with a total area of around 156,000 square metres, there is a property-specific green space concept in place. This covers the promotion of ecologically valuable habitats in line with biotype mapping of the city of Zurich. Examples of these valuable habitats include unimproved grasslands, ruderal spaces and valuable tree populations. Currently, 56% of all ewz operating sites within the Canton and city of Zurich are defined as ecologically valuable habitats. In its efforts to promote biodiversity, ewz is greening around not only its operational buildings but also facades and roofs as well, wherever possible. Green spaces and open areas are maintained naturally without fertilisers or pesticides, to protect native animals and plants.
