We help identify, assess and manage biodiversity risks in projects subject to international lender requirements.
Anni Kurisman
+372 5919 0905
anni@dge.ee
Why It Matters
International lender biodiversity requirements may go beyond the scope of standard environmental assessments and national permitting requirements. Existing EIA/SEA documentation and biodiversity surveys may therefore not provide all the information required for project financing, even where national regulatory requirements have been met.
Identifying biodiversity risks early helps determine whether additional surveys, assessments or mitigation measures may be required and how these could affect project design, schedule and financing. Addressing these issues early can reduce the risk of costly changes, delays and additional requirements at later stages of project development.
Our Approach
Hendrikson DGE has extensive experience in biodiversity assessment, spatial planning, nature conservation risk assessment, and the development of avoidance and mitigation measures. We apply this expertise in the context of international lender requirements to assess what biodiversity impacts and constraints mean for a project and how they should be addressed as the project progresses.
Our work covers the biodiversity risk management process from reviewing existing information and identifying risks to additional surveys, mitigation, monitoring and biodiversity management planning. Where necessary, we engage relevant species and habitat specialists and integrate their input into the wider project-level impact and risk assessment.
Our primary focus is on Estonia and the wider Baltic Sea region, where we can combine knowledge of international lender biodiversity requirements with an understanding of the local environment, biodiversity data and regulatory context. Where needed, we work with local species and habitat specialists.
Our Services
Early biodiversity risk assessment
We identify key biodiversity risks and constraints at an early stage and assess what they may mean for project feasibility, survey requirements, project design and alignment with lender requirements.
Review of existing studies and gap analysis
We review existing EIA/SEA documentation, biodiversity surveys and other available information against the relevant lender requirements. We identify what has already been adequately addressed and where additional data, analysis or specialist assessment may be required.
Critical Habitat and Priority Biodiversity Features assessment
We assess biodiversity values within the project’s area of influence against the relevant lender criteria to identify the potential presence of Critical Habitat or Priority Biodiversity Features. As part of the assessment, we determine the need for additional data, surveys and specialist input.
Planning and coordination of additional biodiversity surveys
Where existing information is insufficient, we define additional survey requirements, prepare terms of reference, and engage and coordinate appropriate species and habitat specialists.
Avoidance, mitigation and monitoring planning
We apply the mitigation hierarchy and use the findings of biodiversity surveys and impact assessments to develop appropriate avoidance, mitigation and monitoring measures. We also define how the implementation and effectiveness of these measures should be monitored during subsequent project stages.
Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs)
We prepare Biodiversity Management Plans that translate identified biodiversity risks and impacts into specific measures, responsibilities, implementation schedules and monitoring requirements, including adaptive management where appropriate.
Link to Due Diligence Services
Biodiversity assessment can be undertaken as a standalone assignment or as part of a wider Environmental & Social Due Diligence (ESDD) process. Working with Hendrikson DGE’s wider team, we can integrate biodiversity considerations into the broader assessment of environmental and social risks and alignment with lender requirements.
Contact Us
If your project may be subject to international lender environmental and biodiversity requirements, identifying potential risks and information gaps early can reduce uncertainty later in the financing and development process.
We can assess how well existing biodiversity studies and impact assessments address relevant lender requirements, where additional work may be needed, and what this means for the project’s next steps.
Email us: dge@dge.ee