Our Amenity Responsibilities
As a responsible business we integrate environmental considerations into all our activities.
We have in place an environmental management system certified to ISO 14001, an internationally-recognised standard, where performance against clear environmental objectives and targets is regularly monitored and reported publicly in our Social and Environmental Report.
Schedule 9
Under Section 38 and Section 9 of the Electricity Act 1989, National Grid has a duty to:
"have regard to the desirability of preserving natural beauty, of conserving flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest and of protecting sites, buildings and objects of architectural, historic or archaeological interest; and shall do what it reasonably can to mitigate any effect which the proposals would have on the natural beauty of the countryside or on such flora, fauna, features, sites, buildings or objects."
How we meet our duties on electricity projects, including information on our commitments to consultation with stakeholders, is explained within our Schedule 9 Statement.
We have recently reviewed our Schedule 9 Statement and sought feedback on our performance from external stakeholders. Our revised Schedule 9 Statement shown below.
Protected Countryside
National Grid also has particular responsibilities with regards to National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). We recognise the special protection afforded to these areas when planning new transmission infrastructure.
A small proportion of our existing transmission infrastructure is located within in these designated areas.
We aim to ensure that our staff and contractors:
- Are aware of the location of these sensitive areas
- Carry out the appropriate consultations
- Plan works with appropriate mitigation to minimise the impact of our works