Biodiversity at centre of transport infrastructure planning
Transport networks exert considerable influence on their surrounding environments. They frequently act as barriers within natural landscapes, as they extend urbanisation into previously rural and less populated European regions, thereby pressurising natural habitats. “For instance, the expansion of transport infrastructure to connect remote mountainous areas or islands can draw increased tourism, resulting in an increase in demand for accommodation and dining services,” notes BISON project coordinator Matina Loukea from the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) in Greece. “Nonetheless, alongside these benefits, transport infrastructure often comes with negative effects on biodiversity. This might include the emission of pollutants, and the introduction of non-native species that further exacerbate the strain on ecosystems.”
Transport infrastructure and biodiversity
The EU-funded BISON project sought to examine in-depth the complex relationships between transport infrastructure and biodiversity. It aimed to identify and address the key research and innovation challenges associated with biodiversity mainstreaming across the whole life cycle of transport infrastructure. Some 39 partners and six third parties, including 16 transport ministries, contributed to this project. Loukea highlights the important role that the technical coordination team played in pulling all this together, which also included Thierry Goger from FEHRL, Yannick Autret from MTES (website in French) and Charlotte Navarro from FRB. “All of this on a subject with high potential for conflict, and one that is very difficult to identify in terms of research or innovation priorities,” explains Loukea.
A holistic approach to planning transport infrastructure
Together, the project team formulated a holistic vision, called the Strategic Research and Deployment Agenda (SRDA), noting the need to integrate various factors in planning transport infrastructure, some that might at first seem disconnected from biodiversity, such as governance, societal engagement and support for innovative operational approaches. “The SRDA comprises several key elements,” says Loukea. “It synthesises existing knowledge, making it accessible to stakeholders, and proposes a clear research path to address environmental challenges. It also identifies gaps and opportunities in policy and funding, paving the way for a coherent, action-oriented approach.” The SRDA also stresses that any analysis should be conducted within a comprehensive One Health approach, which recognises the interconnections between human, animal and environmental health. The project has also delivered a number of policy briefs, and a handbook, entitled ‘Biodiversity and infrastructure: A handbook for Action’. This aims to encourage transport and ecology sectors to work together towards sustainable infrastructure development. Another policy tool, the online European Defragmentation Map (EDM), makes it possible to coherently combine the management of existing infrastructures and biodiversity issues. Many of the project’s findings and tools have been taken up by global actors, such as the United Nations Environment Programme.
A biodiversity-friendly approach for transport infrastructure
Loukea notes that the hardest part is still to come, and that all networks – transport, energy and renewable energies – must be involved. Moving forward, four key issues have been identified. These include developing a biodiversity-friendly approach for different types of transport infrastructure, and identifying the key technical objectives needed to ensure synergies between the transport and energy sectors. Finally, while the economic aspects of preparing sustainable infrastructure projects cannot be ignored, societal perspectives must also be prioritised. “The integration of environmental factors into infrastructure planning must be able to demonstrate benefits to public health and well-being,” adds Loukea.
Keywords
BISON, transport, infrastructure, biodiversity, climate, energy, renewable, pollutants
