The CLH Group continues its Biodiversity Protection Programme

• The company, in cooperation with the Association for the Study and Defence of Nature GREFA, completes nine studies in natural areas of five different Spanish autonomous communities that confirm the sustainability of its pipelines

The CLH Group completed, in cooperation with the association for the study and defence of nature GREFA (Rehabilitation Group for Native Fauna and its Habitat), nine environmental studies in protected natural areas of 5 different Spanish autonomous communities that confirmed the integration of the company’s pipeline in especially rich biological areas and the sustainability of this type of oil transport system.

In 2015, CLH analysed a total of 16 kilometres of pipeline that run across areas of high ecological value in Galicia (River Tambre and the Ulla-Deza river system), Cantabria (Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Cantabria), the Basque Country (Gorbeia Natural Park), Navarra (Bardenas Reales Natural Park) and Andalucía (Doñana National Park, Estero de Domingo Rubio Natural Park, Guadalmez river reserve and the Guadiamar river basin).

The studies were carried out by an expert team from GREFA, together with a group of company employees, who used analysis methods based on an inventory of flora and fauna present along the route of the pipelines and the surrounding areas in order to evaluate the biodiversity in areas crossed by these lines, as well as the effects deriving from their presence, and to determine any improvement actions to reinforce their sustainability.

The methodology used was based on following a lineal route along the surface of the pipelines and their areas of influence and in sections selected according to ecosystems, so as to include the widest possible variety of habitats.

Once the results had been analysed, the reports concluded that the CLH pipeline does not interfere with the development of animal and plant species in the selected areas and they highlight the integration of these infrastructures in the environment.

These nine studies have been conducted as part of the collaboration agreement maintained by CLH with GREFA since 2012 to reinforce the sustainability of its activities and they form part of the biodiversity protection programme included in the Corporate Social Responsibility Master Plan.

Using specific geographical analysis software, CLH identified nearly 200 kilometres of protected natural areas where the pipeline is present, of which 180 kilometres have already been analysed, representing more than 91% of total kilometres. The company expects to complete this initiative in 2016 by verifying the last 17 kilometres of pipeline located in especially rich environmental areas.

The use of the CLH pipeline network helps reduce the environmental impact of fuel transportation. By using this network, 370,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions are prevented per year and it eliminates more than 260 million kilometres of transportation routes by truck on Spanish roads.

In order to ensure its optimum performance, the CLH Group has a special surveillance programme in place based on the strictest international standards, which includes in its different chapters all the aspects to be taken into account to achieve an efficient management of these pipelines.

GREFA (Rehabilitation Group for Native Fauna and its Habitat) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation which has been studying and preserving native species and their habitats for more than 30 years.