[RECORDING] Connecting Vegetation Management & Ecosystem Accounting in Grid Planning
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
GINGR and the Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) hosted Connecting Vegetation Management & Ecosystem Accounting in Grid Planning on 22 April 2026 to explore how grid infrastructure can evolve from minimising impacts to actively delivering Nature- and People-Positive outcomes.
This first session of the Connecting Energy, Nature & People Webinar Series focused on Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) and ecosystem accounting, and how these approaches can be integrated into electricity grid planning. Participants learnt how operational practices can move beyond compliance to generate measurable biodiversity gains, strengthen community value, and support more resilient infrastructure decisions.
Across research, implementation, and governance perspectives, the session connected practical monitoring approaches to the wider challenge of integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services into grid operations.
Speakers
Inês Cândido Silva, Environmental Senior Manager, E-REDES
Inês shared an overview of a comprehensive biodiversity baseline assessment across 80,000 hectares of power line corridors in Portugal, using the BASELINE4BSE project to map habitats, species, ecosystem services, and protected areas.
Presentation: Strategic biodiversity baseline and ecosystem services
Sofia Vaz, PhD, Innovation Director, Natural Business Intelligence (Representing REN)
Sofia presented perspectives on how REN measures and represents ecosystem services, and by providing a case study example, she illustrated the application of natural capital valuation, showcasing practical examples such as the Ermelo orange tree plantation project that quantifies economic and social benefits.
Presentation: Natural Capital Valuation
Prof. Lars Hein, Professor of Ecosystem Services and Environmental Change, Wageningen University
Lars introduced participants to the SEEA Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) framework, as a system to organise and structure this type of information, responding to the growing interest of grid operators in measuring ecosystem services through biodiversity data. He also addressed key methodological and governance questions, including how to translate complex ecological data into decision-useful insights and ensure transparency and credibility.
Adrián Maté, Environmental Coordinator – GINGR, Renewables Grid Initiative
Adrián set out how GINGR's linear infrastructure methodology proposes a 4-petal approach integrating landscape assessment, field biodiversity data, cultural values, and social justice considerations through 9 implementation steps.
Presentation: Introduction to GINGR’s Linear Methodology
Discussion & Next Steps
There was significant interest in the SEEA EA framework as a practical bridge between field-level action and strategic decision-making. Through real-world examples and tools such as spatial conservation planning, speakers demonstrated how biodiversity, ecosystem services, and operational data can be integrated into consistent indicators and monitoring approaches across countries and organisations.
The session highlighted ongoing challenges around harmonising biodiversity metrics, establishing consistent baselines, and aligning reporting frameworks. While companies are generally open to using these approaches internally, there remains caution around publishing detailed results and achieving cross-sector standardisation.
Overall, the exchange reflected a community that is ready to move from concept to implementation, with SEEA EA offering a promising backbone – yet still seeking clear guidance, aligned metrics, and practical tools to enable an energy transition that strengthens biodiversity and benefits communities.
For more on how GINGR is building indicators for Nature- and People-Positive outcomes in linear infrastructure, we warmly invite you to get in touch.