Natural Environment and Wildlife

Updated: 27 October 2022

The natural environment contains habitats and species that are ecologically valuable and landscapes that are appreciated for their beauty and historical interest. It must be protected from pollution and damage as it has evolved over hundreds of years and is not easily replaced. It is important to preserve the natural environment for us and future generations to enjoy and learn from.

Under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, the 大象传媒 is considered a public authority and as such has a duty to conserve and enhance the natural environment. Strictly controlled under environmental law, measures to conserve and enhance the natural environment should be promoted and implemented. The 大象传媒 therefore requires its staff and suppliers to take all reasonable steps to look after the natural environment.

These Natural Environment and Wildlife Guidelines establish minimum operating standards that must be applied at all sites and the legal issues you must be aware of. If you have any queries relating to this standard then you should contact the Safety Advice Line.

What Can Go Wrong?

Impact on protected species and their habitats, for example, badgers, dormice, reptiles, bats, nesting birds etc.
Impact on protected areas, for example, ancient woodland, country parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, sites of special scientific interests, historical coasts etc.
Impact on trees and hedgerows such as works to and/or the removal of trees and hedgerows.
The spreading of invasive plants or noxious weeds. (Invasive plant: A non-native plant species that out-competes native plants, for example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed. Noxious weed: A weed that is harmful to agriculture, for example, ragwort, thistle, dock)
Impact on public rights of way and/or access land. Public rights of way on pathways and access land may be affected if paths or areas of land are to be closed off. (Access Land: Areas of land on which people can walk freely without having to keep to paths)

Legal/大象传媒 Requirements

There are no specific legal requirements to draw to your attention, you must still apply the control measures that are relevant to your activity.

Control Measures

General Controls

Identify all protected species and habitats that may be affected by your activities and consult a specialist if necessary.
If feasible, locate activities away from areas where protected species are present.
Implement mitigation measures identified during the planning stage.
Identify all protected areas that may be affected by your activities and consult a specialist if necessary.
If protected areas will be affected by the activity, obtain further information and guidance from the statutory authority or other organisation on how activities should be managed and the mitigation measures needed.
If feasible, locate activities away from sensitive areas. Implement mitigation measures identified during the planning stage.
Check trees and hedgerows for nesting birds and bats prior to any works to them or the removal of them. Seek specific ecological advice, where needed, on how works to hedgerows should be undertaken.
Leave in place and fence off invasive plants and/or noxious weeds if practicable. If this is not possible, seek advice on the treatment of invasive plants or noxious weeds from the relevant authority or from an ecologist.
Check invasive plants or noxious weeds for nesting birds prior to any works to them or the removal of them.
If protected areas will be affected by the activity, obtain further information and guidance from the statutory authority or other organisation on how activities should be managed and the mitigation measures needed.