Biodiversity Policy

The United Utilities biodiversity policy provides guidelines on the management of biodiversity within United Utilities which applies not only in the northwest of England but equally to national and international contracts across the full suite of utility functions including gas and electricity networks. It was developed and approved in 2008 and actions are underway to deliver it's commitments. Annual updates are made through our Stakeholder Report and examples of activity across our business are contained in the case studies.

Key Commitments of the Policy

To comply with all national and international biodiversity legislation and plans where practicable either directly or through encouraging our contractors.

• Integrate the management of biodiversity into appropriate business policies and processes, including day to day operations
  
• To protect biodiversity and enhance where possible on all land owned by the business
  
• To communicate, share and embed where possible best practice in biodiversity across UU employees, partners and contractors
  
• To work with external partners and stakeholders to actively influence the development of policy and future developments affecting biodiversity

A full version of the policy will be available to view here soon.

In addition, the policy is supported by a more detailed strategy covering our regulated water business. We also have a series of company biodiversity action plans (BAPs), covering species and habitats that are present on our land or that we impact on through our operations. These include wet woodland, blanket bog, standing open waters, hen harriers, red squirrel and juniper among others. These are due to be updated in 2009/10.

(Above: An Oyster Catcher at Penrith waste water treatment works)