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What are the best practices for assessing biodiversity impacts of geothermal energy projects?

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Geothermal energy is a renewable and low-carbon source of power that can provide reliable and flexible electricity generation. However, it also has potential impacts on biodiversity, such as habitat loss, fragmentation, alteration, and degradation, as well as direct effects on wildlife, plants, and microorganisms. Therefore, it is important to assess the biodiversity impacts of geothermal energy projects and apply best practices to avoid, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for them. In this article, you will learn about the main steps and methods for conducting a biodiversity impact assessment (BIA) for geothermal energy projects and some examples of good practices from different countries.

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1 Why BIA is needed

A BIA is a systematic process that identifies, predicts, evaluates, and communicates the potential effects of a proposed geothermal energy project on biodiversity. It is usually part of a broader environmental impact assessment (EIA) that considers other aspects such as water, air, soil, noise, and social impacts. A BIA is needed to inform decision-making, ensure compliance with environmental laws and standards, and demonstrate good environmental stewardship. A BIA can also help to identify opportunities for enhancing biodiversity conservation and restoration, as well as promoting stakeholder engagement and public awareness.

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Joseph Lado

Decades long activism for the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) as a dominant means of transportation. Passionate advocate for renewable energy and its massively wide spread adoption.
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I have questions in understanding the depth that a Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA) goes? Who does the assessment? What are the rules? Are non-endangered species such as common insects found everywhere included? The reason I ask is that a good EIA should include an assessment of how the activity is going to affect the biodiversity in it. I am not a fan when a project that has been shown that its impact on the environment is acceptable is stopped at random by something arbitrarily applied. Don't get me wrong. I believe a BIA that is based on written down rules for action and responsibility should be part of every EIA. I just want it to be something that the rule follower can clearly follow.

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Mahmoud ElEissawy

Independent Geological Consultant
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In the fact BIA that you captioned your subject need huge remarks to know exactly what is the target and how to identify and calculate the outside factors which can effect negatively on the geothermal energy; as ll know the problems came from the largest companies which have a significant dependency on the natures and from all human beings bad habitats; a lot of rules and adjustable materials should be considered to keep decision-making compliance with environmental laws and standard, also BIA can help to know very well all good opportunities that enhancing human being habitats and all laws and public awareness to deal with geothermal energy and how to keep it low to avoid a lot of cosmic problems which can be arisen from bad habitats.

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2 How to conduct a BIA

Conducting a BIA for a geothermal energy project requires a unique approach, tailored to the local context, scale, scope, and phase of development. Generally, the process involves scoping to define objectives and key biodiversity issues; baseline study to collect existing data; impact prediction to estimate direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts; impact evaluation to determine the significance of the impacts; and impact management to propose measures for avoiding or mitigating adverse impacts. Scoping involves defining the scope of the assessment, based on project description, baseline data, legal requirements, and stakeholder input. Baseline study involves desk research, field surveys, mapping, and modeling. Impact prediction uses qualitative and quantitative methods such as matrices, checklists, overlays, indices, and models. Impact evaluation considers criteria of importance, sensitivity, rarity, irreplaceability, vulnerability of affected components; legal and policy frameworks; stakeholder values; and best available scientific knowledge. Impact management develops a biodiversity action plan outlining specific actions and indicators for monitoring and evaluation.

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Mahmoud ElEissawy

Independent Geological Consultant
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Exactly as mentioned early a huge of factors should consider; due to diversity and multiplicity of sources that effect on geothermal energy; i am currently prefer to use the simulation and modeling system which can help to approach the logic and scientific solution of the geothermal energy, all impact predictions; all direct and indirect effects should be considered to mitigating adverse impact. surely all of this well lead to the preservation of planet earth and it makes people live in a safe and happy environment.

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3 What are the best practices

The quality and effectiveness of a BIA depend on several factors, such as the adequacy of data, the appropriateness of methods, the transparency of assumptions, the involvement of stakeholders, and the compliance with standards and guidelines. To improve a BIA for geothermal energy projects, it is best to apply the mitigation hierarchy, use the ecosystem approach, and follow the precautionary principle. The mitigation hierarchy prioritizes avoidance over minimization, mitigation, and compensation of impacts. The ecosystem approach considers the interactions among components and functions of ecosystems, as well as human well-being. The precautionary principle implies that when there is uncertainty about potential impacts on biodiversity, decision-making should err on the side of caution. It also encourages adaptive management which involves regular monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment of the BIA and BAP.

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4 Examples of good practices

Geothermal energy projects have applied best practices for assessing and managing their biodiversity impacts in different countries and regions. For instance, the Olkaria geothermal power plant in Kenya is one of the largest in Africa and has conducted a comprehensive BIA and BAP, which identified and addressed the impacts on endangered wildlife and habitats in the Hell's Gate National Park, as well as the impacts on local communities and their livelihoods. The Sarulla geothermal power plant in Indonesia, one of the largest in Southeast Asia, has conducted a thorough BIA and BAP in compliance with IFC Performance Standards and Indonesian EIA regulations. This identified and addressed impacts on endemic and threatened flora and fauna, such as the Sumatran tiger, orangutan, and rafflesia flower. Furthermore, the Reykjanes geothermal power plant in Iceland is one of the largest in Europe. It conducted a rigorous BIA and BAP in accordance with EU EIA Directive and Icelandic Nature Conservation Act to identify and address impacts on unique ecosystems and geothermal features such as lava fields, wetlands, and geysers. The BAP implemented measures such as site selection, design optimization, water management, biodiversity monitoring, habitat protection, wildlife rescue, environmental education, compensation schemes, community development projects, and landscape restoration.

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Mahmoud ElEissawy

Independent Geological Consultant
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I think the all industrial countries that have a huge companies should be subjected to strict control to know the extent of the influence of the countries on the geothermal energy; meanwhile the poor countries much watch carefully to mitigating the pollution and negative habitats that effect on the geothermal energy,

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best practices for assessing biodiversity impacts of geothermal energy projects?

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1 Why BIA is needed

2 How to conduct a BIA

3 What are the best practices

4 Examples of good practices

5 Here’s what else to consider

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