Biodiversity and Risk Management

Biodiversity plays an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance and functioning of ecosystems. Significant changes in biodiversity may affect the availability of ecosystem services, such as the provision of water and other natural resources, regulation of global climate, regulation of soil erosion, regulation of water quality, pollination and nutrient cycling. As an example of consequence, in the scope of Copel’s business, the generation operating activities may be impacted by the unavailability of some of these services – such as water and wind for hydraulic and wind generation respectively.

Thus, biodiversity conservation, either by avoiding, reducing or mitigating impacts, contributes to reduce the risks of shortage or alteration of resources on which the Company has some dependence.

This is one of the reasons why new enterprise projects prioritize avoiding the impact on protected areas or areas with high biodiversity value. Whenever the existence of Conservation Units or other protected areas is identified, the possibilities of relocation or changes in the project are studied so as not to affect such areas. In cases where it is really not possible to change the project, all efforts are made to minimize as much as possible the negative impacts, to potentiate the positive impacts, and compensatory programs are developed.

The environmental studies carried out in the various stages of environmental licensing include the characterization and monitoring of changes in the fauna and flora in the area where the project will be located, which often consist of areas that have been little scientifically explored. Based on this, environmental programs and measures are defined to avoid impacts, reduce their intensity, or compensate for them.

Besides the risks to the business, Copel also carries out actions to avoid risks to biodiversity, promoting its conservation. To learn more, click here.