Protecting biodiversity

We work every day to safeguard and restore the ecosystems that sustain us

Climate change caused by burning fossil fuels is one of the world’s greatest threats to biodiversity. At the same time, biodiverse ecosystems play a vital role in fighting climate change: They capture carbon, regulate temperature, and protect coasts from storms, erosion, and flooding.

That is why protecting biodiversity must go hand in hand with decarbonisation.

When Ørsted builds offshore wind farms or undertakes other renewable energy projects that help countries decarbonise and gain energy independence, we also work to safeguard and restore the ecosystems that sustain us.

Importantly, these efforts also strengthen our licence to operate, ensure compliance, help us to deliver resilient energy projects, and underpin our role as a trusted partner in the renewable energy transition.

Net-positive impact from 2030

At Ørsted, we have an ambition to deliver a net-positive biodiversity impact for all projects commissioned from 2030. This means going beyond avoiding and mitigating harm and actually restoring and enhancing biodiversity in the places where we operate.

Biodiversity Measurement Framework

To guide us, we have developed the industry’s first Biodiversity Measurement Framework – an eight-step process that unites diverse global standards into a single practical tool for projects on- and offshore. The framework is being tested and refined today and will become fully operational for projects commissioned from 2030.

Pilot projects and partnerships

Already today, we’re exploring technologies and methods across more than a dozen pilot projects. From marine rewilding in the North Sea to seagrass restoration in the Humber Estuary and restoring corals in the Taiwan Strait, these initiatives are helping us build knowledge and partnerships that will shape future projects.

Financing tools

Investors play a key role in directing capital towards a sustainable ocean economy that respects natural resources. In 2023, Ørsted became the world’s first energy company to issue a blue bond, which gives investors an opportunity to help finance our work with ocean biodiversity.

Ørsted’s work to ensure a net-positive biodiversity impact for all projects commissioned from 2030 helps us to deliver on our vision – and sets a new standard for the energy industry.

Emma Hospes

Head of Environment & Permitting Centre of Excellence

Biodiversity Measurement Framework

The first of its kind in the energy industry, our Biodiversity Measurement Framework distils a wide range of complex sustainability standards, local regulations, and cross-sector initiatives into a single practical tool. Read more about it here.

Biodiversity pilots

Discover how our portfolio of pilot projects is helping us test new ideas, refine methods, and learn what works in practice with our facilities. They also offer a glimpse into the future, as the most promising projects will be considered for scaling and broader implementation.

Our blue bond

Launched in 2023, this five-year EUR 100 million private placement is a financial instrument that can help drive economic growth and broader ocean stewardship across the private sector. Learn more here about the bond and the four project areas its net proceeds support.

Circularity and biodiversity

By rethinking how materials are sourced, used, and reused, circularity can lower environmental impacts, conserve resources, and help combat biodiversity loss. Explore how circularity contributes to biodiversity protection.

Decarbonisation

We met our target of reducing the intensity of our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 98% from 2006 to 2025 – and are now tackling scope 3 emissions from sales of gas and our supply chain. All this will help us meet our 2040 net-zero target for greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more here.

Three technicians in front of the building

Community impact

It is our position that Ørsted projects should benefit the communities where we operate. We want to be a positive force, and we depend on good relations and trust to succeed with our projects. Discover how we’re living up to this responsibility in communities around the world.