en

Steps towards more nature

Nature Impact Assessment

NatureScope conducts nature impact assessments in accordance with the requirements of the Danish legislation. This may be in relation to the Environmental Assessment Act, the Habitats Directive or the Water Framework Directive.

An important part of the impact assessment process is to determine mitigation measures that protect nature and biodiversity. However, we place equal importance on identifying improvement measures that contribute to a nature positive development.

Services:

  • Screening of impacts on nature and biodiversity
  • Scoping document for nature and environmental impacts
  • Environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment for nature
  • Natura 2000 screening and appropriate assessment
  • Test and assessment according to Article 4(7) of the Water Framework Directive

If an environmental impact assessment (EIA) or a strategic environmental assessment of a plan (SEA) requires a more thorough assessment of topics other than nature, we will ally ourselves with other companies specializing within these matters.

This could e.g. be in relation to the assessment of landscape, air, climate, cultural history, population or human health. Alternatively, we can deliver our nature assessments to other advisors, who compiles the full environmental assessment for the authority.

Nature Positive Design

A nature impact assessment or nature due diligence provides an obvious opportunity to upgrade the design of an initiative to achieve a positive effect on nature and biodiversity, when it is to be implemented.

Services:

  • Integration of prioritized mitigation measures and nature positive actions that protect and improve nature and biodiversity.
  • Overall presentation of the final nature positive design as a  basis for implementation and possible tendering of tasks
  • Preparation of a logbook that documents the improvements made to the project

The project upgrade can be done during the process of nature impact assessment and nature due diligence, or subsequently based on the mitigation measures and proposals for improving nature and biodiversity that have been identified.

Mapping of Nature and Biodiversity

Data-driven insights provide an accurate basis for nature assessment, design development and planning. Therefore, detailed mapping of nature and species data is included as a crucial part of all NatureScope's work.

Services:

  • Mapping of protected nature areas, Natura 2000 sites, protected forests and other designated areas
  • Mapping of existing data for habitat types, nature quality, species occurrences, water data, etc.
  • Analyses of green landscape infrastructure

If there is a need for supplementary field mapping of special habitat types and species, we collaborate with specialized partners with the necessary expertice.

Nature Due Diligence

For initiatives that are not subject to legal requirements for environmental and nature impact assessment, NatureScope recommends that a Nature due diligence is carried out.

The purpose is to identify risks and opportunities for nature and biodiversity in order to adjust an initiative early in the planning process. This also ensures that any 'game stoppers' can be taken into account before a decision is made to invest further.

Services:

  • Mapping of risks of nature impacts
  • Identification of mitigation measures
  • Identification of opportunities to improve nature and biodiversity
  • Idenification of legal requirements
  • Nature due diligence reporting 

The due diligence process can follow the initiative during it's development, so that the catalog of risks and opportunities is continuously explored. We call this 'timely care for nature', which reduces business risks and gives a project a good reputation.

Planning for Nature

NatureScope prepares operational plans for nature management across a wide range of projects, such as renewable energy facilities, climate adaptation initiatives, roads and railways, urban development, as well as dedicated nature conservation projects.

Services:

  • Plans for management of existing nature, when valuable habitats or species require conservation measures to be carried out
  • Plans for rewilding, when existing and new nature areas need room for developing dynamically
  • Plans for the restoration of lakes, bogs, streams, wetlands and other habitats
  • Plans for natural forest, close-to-nature silviculture and site-adapted afforestation
  • Plans for new nature and biodiversity in cities

We are also happy to update outdated nature plans that need an upgrade based on new knowledge and up-to-date nature data.

Courses, Sparring and Quality Assurance

NatureScope shares knowledge on nature assessments, nature-positive design, and nature-based planning. We believe that knowledge sharing and the exchange of experience are essential foundations for strengthening collaboration and improving our collective efforts to create more nature and deliver net gains for biodiversity.

Services:

  • Courses and workshops on environmental assessment, Natura 2000 and the Water Framework Directive, a.o.
  • Sparring to project managers for nature and environmental assessments in public and private organizations
  • Support in organizing, planning and quality assurance of nature and environmental assessments