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 Environmental Performance Indicators.

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."

There is no equivalent to this duty in the provisions of the Gas Act 1986. As a responsible business National Grid believes that the principles of Schedule 9 should apply equally to both our electricity and gas transmission works and our gas distribution works above 7 bar (gauge) in pressure.

Under the provisions of the Planning Act 2008 we have a duty to consult and engage with communities and stakeholders. We have decided to integrate our amenity duties and our community and stakeholder engagement duties into one document which covers how we will meet these duties. This document is available below for download.

National Grid’s commitments when undertaking work in the UK:
Our stakeholder, community and amenity policy

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