HAMPSHIRE and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, together with partners RSPB, Solent Protection Society and Isle of Wight Biosphere, have written an open letter raising significant concerns over the ecological impacts of the proposed Solent CO2 pipeline.
In response to the project’s consultation which closed on Monday September 30, the organisations expressed concerns regarding the lack of detailed information on the environmental impacts including ecological assessments, surveys, and mitigation measures for all three proposed routes.
As the pipeline is expected to traverse areas of outstanding biodiversity value, including nationally and internationally protected sites, the coalition of leading regional environmental organisations is calling for more comprehensive ecological studies to assess the true impacts of the project.
READ MORE: Government urged to launch industry-specific plans to restore nature
Debbie Tann, CEO of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We are deeply concerned about the absence of critical ecological data in the current consultation. Without clear information on the environmental impacts and proposed mitigation strategies, it is impossible for us to provide valid feedback, or to help ensure that vital wildlife habitats are not irreversibly damaged.
“All three proposed corridors include irreplaceable habitats that are home to species declining elsewhere, and the risks posed to such delicate ecosystems cannot be underestimated.
“We understand that carbon capture technology may be required to decarbonise hard-to-reach sectors, but this must not be used as an excuse to expand fossil fuel use, and it should never come at the expense of nature.
“Healthy ecosystems are not just vital for biodiversity - they are also a key tool in combating the climate crisis. There is an urgent need for clarity on how this project will avoid damaging important wildlife sites and how it will support the government’s legal targets to halt nature’s decline by 2030.”
The proposed pipeline would pass close to or through a number of highly protected areas, including the New Forest National Park, the Isle of Wight National Landscape, and multiple Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
SEE ALSO: Drought is top threat for UK nature refuges as climate changes, charities warn
The organisations have also voiced concerns over the potential conflict with the UK’s legal obligations to reverse nature loss under the Environment Act 2021 and international commitments to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. They are calling for the proposed Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs), scheduled for between 2024-2026, to place a significant emphasis on avoiding any harm to key species and habitats. In addition, the signatories have called for a full assessment of how the project will align with local climate ambitions, such as the New Forest National Park’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.
The Trust and its partners are also calling for a more ambitious approach to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) associated with the project. The current proposal for a 10% gain is considered insufficient, and the organisations recommend a more substantial uplift to reflect the biodiversity significance of the areas affected.
Read the letter here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here