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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

CONTENTS

1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 3

2. Integration of biodiversity into the company's management ............... 4

3. Biodiversity monitoring and management ............................................ 4

4. Risk evaluation ..................................................................................... 7

5. Impact assessment .............................................................................. 9

5.1. Plan 10+ .......................................................................................... 9

5.2. Periodic identification and evaluation of impacts ...................................11

6. CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................... 12

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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

1. INTRODUCTION

Conservation of the Biodiversity and the responsible use of our natural heritage, in addition to
an ethical commitment, are, for ACCIONA, a necessary condition for global sustainability.

ACCIONA, aware of the fact that biodiversity is in itself a key natural asset of high value,
promotes its improvement and conservation as a necessary measure for economic
development and social progress.

ACCIONA’s activities could have a direct or indirect impact on biodiversity. Land occupancy is
one of the principal potential impacts, giving rise to a direct impact on biodiversity from
changes in land use and habitat fragmentation. That is why ACCIONA carries out a specific
assessment of its effects on species and natural areas to prevent and correct them.

The indirect effects of some of our Business lines are globally positive for biodiversity. One of
the company's most important lines of business is the generation of renewable energy by
means of installations using a variety of technologies. These clean energies decrease
dependence on oil and other fossil fuels, and thus help alleviate the production of greenhouse
gases which is causing severe problems for the conservation of species across the planet. The
ACCIONA Agua line of activity also works to purify hundreds of thousands of litres of waste
water which, if dumped into the water system, would cause significant harm to biodiversity.

In addition, the Company designs and executes compensation mechanisms that promote a
positive footprint on the natural environment. These projects support endangered species and
populations, serve to increase awareness regarding them, and represent an improvement in
their conservation, either by acting on their habitats, their reproductive parameters, or other
variables.

For this reason, ACCIONA carries out a Programme for Biodiversity Conservation and
improvement that exceeds legal requirements, in an effort to improve the situation of various
species and ecosystems, to compensate for the effect that its activities may have on the
natural environment.

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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

2. INTEGRATION OF BIODIVERSITY INTO THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT

ACCIONA has a specialised Environment and Biodiversity unit within the organisation and a
panel of renowned experts in Biodiversity that work on compliance with the principles
defined in the company's Biodiversity Policy, using the following actions to reconcile the
company's activities with conservation of species and nature areas: promoting harmony
between species and natural area conservation and the development of its productive
activities.

ACCIONA publicly expresses its specific policy on Biodiversity by means of various principles.
These principles are the directives that are to be followed by each of the Businesses, and they
define the Company’s overall strategy in this area.

The company's specific biodiversity management is developed within each line of business,
reflecting the public commitments it has indicated in its Biodiversity Policy. In addition,
ACCIONA's Environment and Biodiversity Unit also controls and tracks the effects of the
Company's activities on biodiversity, evaluating, assessing and coordinating all of the efforts
made in this regard.

ACCIONA integrates biodiversity into its management systems and its corporate decision
making processes. The Company's biodiversity management is thus included in its global
environmental management system.

3. BIODIVERSITY MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT

At ACCIONA, direct responsibility for climate change matters is given to the highest levels, the
Board of Directors, the Company's top governing body, which is a reflection of the importance
it places on its commitment to the fight against the loss of biodiversity.

The commitment to conservation of biodiversity is contained in the principles of the


Biodiversity Policy. These corporate principles apply to the lines of business and countries in
which the Company operates. They are included in the activities, operations and processes and
are subjected to review and improvement by management and all those who apply them.
Fulfilment of ACCIONA's commitment to climate change is led by its Senior Executives and it is
the responsibility of all those who work at the Company. It forms part of the value chain and is
evaluated by third parties.
Reporting directly to the Chairman, the General Manager for Innovation, Environment and
Quality sets the strategic priorities in the matter of biodiversity. The fight against climate
change, sustainable use of natural resources and protecting biodiversity are the main
foundations of ACCIONA's environmental strategy.

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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

There is a Committee on the Environment, Quality and Processes that was formed in 2011
and meets monthly. In addition to the Corporation’s Environment and Quality management
team, participants include the Environment and Quality Managers from each of the Divisions.
Its principal objectives include ensuring that the company's biodiversity strategy remains
aligned with business development, thus guaranteeing the company's success. This Committee
carries out a regular monitoring of the following aspects in relation to biodiversity, among
others:

 Monitoring of the Company’s strategic objectives, ensuring compliance at all levels of


the organisation.
 Identification of the main impacts on biodiversity of ACCIONA’s activities and
monitoring of the measures adopted to mitigate them.
 Management of the risks and opportunities in relation to biodiversity.
 Follow-up and control of Environmental Incidents and Accidents.
 Identification and assessment of the Company’s most significant Environmental
Actions in relation to biodiversity.
 Development and supervision of the Company’s Communication Programme on the
Environment, Biodiversity and Quality.

Hierarchically and/or functionally attached to the various Divisions comprising the Committee
are staff with direct responsibilities in the Environment, Quality and Processes areas, along
with personnel assigned to production centres where activity has an environmental impact.

From the Natural Environment and Biodiversity Unit reporting to the Innovation,
Environment and Quality General Management, environmental conservation actions are
carried out with the basic aim of protecting threatened species and areas.

MANAGEMENT TOOLS

The Programme for Biodiversity Conservation and Improvement, within the framework of the
Company’s Environmental Compensation Plan, consists of initiatives that go beyond
administrative environmental requirements on the matter of the compensating for impacts
generated by the activity of the businesses. These actions encourage biodiversity and social
progress, and globally represent genuine differentiation that demonstrates ACCIONA’s
effective commitment to Sustainability.

For further information:


http://www.ACCIONA.es/sostenibilidad/plan-director/entorno/compensacion-ambiental

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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

Identification, analysis and evaluation of best practices and outstanding actions in the field
of biodiversity developed by the various business areas, with the aim of recognising and
making known those that are most significant both within and outside the organisation. Each
Business area identifies the main tasks it is carrying out in the field of biodiversity. With the
assistance of the Panel of Experts on the Environment and Biodiversity, actions are evaluated
one by one, and a selection is made of those classified as “Exceptional.” These exceptional
actions are those that stand out either because of their clearly positive effect on the
environment, their innovative nature, or their scientific and/or social interest. They are
communicated internally so that they are made known to the whole organisation and can be
replicated if necessary. In addition, some are publicised externally in various media, thus
sharing knowledge, techniques and methodologies to help protect biodiversity.

For further information:


http://www.ACCIONA.es/sostenibilidad/plan-director/entorno/medio-natural-y-biodiversidad

Collaboration with different stakeholders and active participation in environmental work


forums and conferences. In this case, links are developed with those public authorities
involved in the Company’s projects and activities at both national and international level. The
aim is to maintain a constructive dialogue, coordinating the minimising of impacts generated
by the Company’s activities on the environment. In a similar manner, relations have been
established with members of social and academic organisations and local communities that
serve to deepen awareness of environmental problems and assist in the introduction of
measures designed to ensure continuous improvement in this area.
ACCIONA was the first Spanish company listed on the Ibex 35 to become a member of the
World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, it is the only Spanish
company to have taken part in the Ecosystem Working Group of the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). As a result of this participation, a guide was published
entitled “Eco4Biz: Ecosystem services and biodiversity tools to support business decision-
making”.

In addition, since it was set up the Environment and Biodiversity Unit has participated in
leading forums such as the CONAMA (National Environment Congress), on the Business and
Biodiversity working group.

By involving stakeholders from various sectors in the Company’s activities and projects,
projects are endowed with a multidisciplinary focus and a global vision can be obtained of the
existing environmental and social situation.

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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

The Environmental Communication and Training Plan, the main goal of which is to make
known to the public the Company's most significant environmental actions that make the
Company stand out and should be made known to suppliers, academic organisations and the
general public.

Internal communication is a key strategic tool for the raising of awareness of workers on the
matter of nature conservancy, achieving greater involvement at all levels, and reinforcing the
integration of environmental aspects within the Company’s day-to-day activities. To this end,
the Business Areas publish quarterly newsletters to raise the awareness of environmental
matters among all Company employees. Making ACCIONA’s commitment to the environment
and biodiversity public forms part of the Company’s role within society, communicating the
importance of preserving the environment from a business point of view. Company initiatives
considered to be of greatest environmental interest are given publicity using various means of
communication: ACCIONA’s intranet and website, social networks, the specialised press, radio,
environment-related websites, etc. They are also made known via the ACCIONA Informa
Magazine that is distributed to all the Company’s offices worldwide, leading Spanish publishing
companies, journalists, suppliers and public administrations.

4. RISK EVALUATION

ACCIONA’s activity relies on products and services from ecosystems at local, regional and
global level, and as a result, their degradation represents an economic risk for the Company, as
well as new business opportunities.
Preventing major biodiversity-associated risks begins with the selection of facility sites,
exhaustive control of construction procedures and adoption of preventive and corrective
measures for reducing any impacts that might be caused. Most of the company's construction
sites and its facilities that are in operation have a control and monitoring plan that facilitates
proper environmental monitoring, establishing an operational protocol in the event of possible
problems.
Risk Management, including the risks in relation to flora, fauna and ecosystems, is a process
led by ACCIONA's Board of Directors which consists of identifying and assessing potential
incidents which could affect the Company, managing the risks within agreed tolerance
thresholds and providing reasonable security that the objectives will be achieved.

ACCIONA’s Risk Management Policy is intended to ensure the integration of risk management
within the Company’s strategy, establishing the framework and principles of the Risk
Management System (RMS). This policy covers all the risks associated with the activities
carried out by the ACCIONA divisions in all the geographic areas where it operates. The SGR

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establishes the necessary management mechanisms to assist in achieving the objectives of the
Company within the agreed risk thresholds. The principles of ACCIONA’s risk management
policy are stated in the RMS by means of the definition of roles and responsibilities, as well as
the development of methodologies, procedures and tools.

Within this reference framework, and based on a preventive approach, ACCIONA promotes
the integration within the operations of its Business Areas of the management of the risks to
the Environment and Biodiversity derived from its activities, with the aim of improving its
ability to mitigate them.

These risk analyses are a tool for anticipating possible impacts on biodiversity by defining and
implementing preventive, monitoring and mitigating measures that can be incorporated into
the projects' management.

Identifying and managing risks are therefore crucial for preventing impacts before a project is
executed.
ACCIONA develops specific environmental risk management policies at Business level. It
performs an Environmental Risk Audit consisting of the identifying and evaluation of the main
environmental risks facing the business, including those in relation to the flora, fauna and
ecosystems. It does so with the participation of the managers of the various Environment,
Works and Operation and Maintenance divisions. Based on this identification and evaluation, a
map is obtained with the grading of the environmental risk for each event that has been
identified. This analysis enabled the risks to be prioritised by specific activity and will facilitate
a specific response for treating and controlling each one, establishing the most appropriate
measures for prevention and mitigation.

There is also a risk plan for each line of business covering all the potential risks that could arise,
from the most technical to the most environmental. In addition, progress has been made on
the integration of risk management within emergency planning and drills in relation to the
prevention of labour and environmental risks.

This policy includes the drafting of an Environmental Emergency Drill Plan dealing specifically
with hazardous substances that was applied to the hydraulic, wind, solar thermal and biomass
technologies, as these are the types of risk with most impact on the environment, biodiversity
and the socio-economic environment.

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BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

5. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

ACCIONA is aware that its activities can generate an impact on biodiversity. For this reason, at
each of the stages of the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Company’s
activities, possible effects in relation to biodiversity are identified and assessed so as to carry
out their appropriate management.

Environmental impact assessment is a key tool for the minimising of the impact of project
development, together with the Company’s comprehensive risk management system and the
resulting mitigating elements.

In the case of the Environmental Impact Studies, once the impacts arising from the aspects
considered have been identified and assessed, preventive and corrective measures are
established, as well as compensatory measures to mitigate them, if necessary. Lastly,
environmental monitoring programs are carried out as per the impact assessment studies,
which will enable supervision of the various aspects identified so as to ensure the effectiveness
of the minimising measures that have been defined.

Before a final decision is made on the location for activities or projects, the area of the site is
analysed so as to produce the smallest possible impact on the environment. This involves
taking into account if the site includes a protected area, its proximity to bodies of water, the
presence of protected flora or fauna, etc.

In addition to this, the Company also works with experts from the different areas and
establishes a comprehensive Environmental Vigilance Plan that monitors implementation of
the preventive and corrective measures assigned for the project.

5.1. Plan 10+

Certain of ACCIONA's activities and services inevitably entail impacts on the environment.

For this reason, under the heading of Plan 10+, ACCIONA has designed a basic tool to handle
the main environmental problems faced by its various lines of Business:

 ACCIONA Infrastructure, Water and Services.


 ACCIONA Energy:
 ACCIONA Trans-Mediterranean:
 ACCIONA Real Estate:
 ACCIONA Logistics
 Hijos de Antonio Barceló
 Bestinver

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In tandem with this, the company compiles data on the overall scale and significance of the
problem, allowing it to determine and monitor the effectiveness of the actions developed to
mitigate or correct the problem. Specific parameters are included for evaluating the
environmental impact on the intended site, including the size, danger, extent and quality of
the receiving environment. Given the diversity of the lines of business and the wide range of
potential problems under analysis, each of the parameters used for this quantification has
been specifically defined based on the type of problem and the type of facility in question.
Once the main problems have been identified, and so as to minimise the impacts associated
with each of them, a list is drawn up of measures to prevent them, or if necessary, to correct
and compensate for them.
Plan 10+ therefore represents a work method for on-going improvement wherein once a
problem has been identified it is tackled and its effects are cushioned or neutralised, thus
eliminating it from the list of the ten most important problems, and another problem takes its
place in the Plan.

The monitoring of this Plan and the coordination and implementation of measures is the
responsibility of the Innovation, Environment and Quality Department, which reports directly
to the Chairman.

Within the framework of Plan 10+ a number of actions have been taken for the
conservation of bird life. Two exceptional initiatives have been set in motion that go
beyond the environmental requirements laid down by the authorities, focused on
improving habitats and increasing protected species population numbers:
 ACCIONA installations for the protection of endangered species: This project has
been designed to benefit certain species of protected fauna: nocturnal and diurnal
birds of prey, and Chiroptera (bats). During 2012 and 2013 almost 400 nesting
boxes have been placed in the Company’s various facilities.

 Regional Network for the Protection of Endangered Species: A project has been set
up to install 3 feeding points to benefit birds of prey that are endangered and run
the risk of extinction.

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5.2. Periodic identification and evaluation of impacts

In addition to the thorough control of impacts carried out from the business lines, the Natural
Environment and Biodiversity Unit performs an identification and assessment of the most
significant impacts of each of the Company’s facilities that are adjacent to or are located within
protected areas, or in areas that are not protected but which are of great value to biodiversity.
This record is compiled annually.

The impacts are quantified on the basis of the following criteria:

- Species affected.
- Surface area affected.
- Duration of the impacts.
- Reversibility or irreversibility of the impacts.

The final impact evaluation takes into account the combination of the following indicators as
shown on the chart:

V1 V2
Species Surface area
affected. affected

V4 V3
Reversibility Duration

Thus all of the Company's projects are submitted to a process for ranking the impacts they
generate on biodiversity. Not only does this make it possible to follow up on the company's
activities and their effects on biodiversity as time goes by, but also to establish improvement
and learning mechanisms across its various lines of business.

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Table with example of installations in protected areas and unprotected areas of great value for Biodiversity

6. CONCLUSIONS

The final aim of the Company’s biodiversity management is to determine the actual impact of
ACCIONA’s activity on biodiversity, improve its preventive approach, determine the measures
to be established to mitigate impact, implement continuous improvement mechanisms to
reduce the impact generated, and identify measures that have already been implemented
successfully to replicate them in other areas or projects.

Lastly, once the impact has been evaluated and the corrective and preventive measures have
been taken, compensation mechanisms are implemented so that the net impact of the
Company’s activities is zero, or even globally positive for species and ecosystems.

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