Polyus publishes its maiden report on biodiversity conservation today. This document demonstrates a systematic corporate approach to wildlife conservation and rehabilitation in Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk Region, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Khabarovsk Territory and Magadan Region. It covers 2021-2024 and includes significant events outside that period.
The publication of the biodiversity conservation report continues Polyus’ practice of releasing themed reports underlining the Company’s openness and its efforts to conserve natural heritage for future generations.
The report covers in detail such aspects as:
- biodiversity impact and risk assessment;
- contribution to the conservation of land and water ecosystems;
- mandatory and voluntary activities conducted jointly with stakeholders.
Every year, Polyus increases its investment in conserving and improving biodiversity, and it systematically and consistently reduces its negative impact on fauna and flora. Natural ecosystems dominate the structure of lands affected by business activities.
The Company applies the internationally recognized TNFD approach and the LEAP (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare) framework to ensure integrated biodiversity management.
Polyus is guided at all times by the applicable legal regulations. Its corporate policy and nature conservation programs are based on over 30 legal acts and regulations on biodiversity conservation.
The Company places a particular focus on global standards and best practices, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, TNFD recommendations and the provisions of the updated GRI 101 standard. Activities described in the report contribute to the achievement of the national development goal of the Russian Federation «Environmental well-being» and implementation of the corresponding national project, as well as to UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 Life on Land for the period up to 2030.
The results of the biodiversity risk assessment in the released report show that the risks are minor on the level of species and ecosystems. Polyus manages them through regular monitoring of the state of biodiversity across all mines based on scientific criteria of species abundance and the presence of rare species, the total disruption to ecosystems, forest stand damage, etc.
The report shows that Polyus does not operate close to or in any specially protected natural areas, UNESCO natural and cultural heritage sites or other sites of international importance and takes steps to ensure the well-being of these areas. The Company implements the Polyus Nature Reserve corporate program to support SPNAs (specially protected natural areas).
Polyus actively works with stakeholders, research centers and local communities to help carry out activities for studying and protecting seabirds on Talan island, providing support for the populations of ungulates in the Vitim Nature Reserve and restoring food resources for Amur tigers in the Anyuisky National Park. The Company also contributes to studies on the population of the Siberian grouse, which is an endangered endemic species in Yakutia.
«We believe that it is important to have a positive natural balance regarding affected and protected natural ecosystems. Today, the Company supports natural ecosystems and SPNAs under the Polyus Nature Reserve program that cover an area more than 60 times larger than the area affected by our operations,» according to Daria Grigoreva, Sustainability Director.
Further plans for improving biodiversity practices include:
- evaluating dependencies and opportunities related to biodiversity and ecosystem services;
- scaling up best practices across new promising projects;
- developing reporting and increasing the level of disclosure.
You can view the biodiversity report on the Company website..