29 January 2025
Lightsource bp co-finances LIFE SOS Pygargus project for the conservation of the Montagu's harrier
Juvenile Montagu's harriers ringed during a rescue and recovery campaign. Photo: Palombar.
Lightsource bp, a company that develops and manages large-scale onshore renewable energy and energy storage solutions, supports Palombar under LIFE SOS Pygargus project, by co-financing 15% of the national contribution for the implementation of specific actions under this project.
The LIFE SOS Pygargus project brings together conservationists, scientists, farmers, government entities and companies with the aim of saving the Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) from extinction in Portugal and western Spain. This bird is classified as "Endangered", with populations having declined by 80% in Portugal over the last decade. The project has been approved by the European Union (EU) LIFE Programme and has a total budget of almost €11 million, 75% of which (€8 million) is funded by the EU.
Support contributes to monitoring, creation of species sensitivity maps and awareness raising
Lightsource bp's financial support will contribute to the monitoring of the target species and assessment of the potential impact of renewable energy projects on its populations, as well as to the development of species sensitivity maps, which will enable to identify critical areas and support the implementation of renewable energy infrastructure that minimises environmental impact.
In addition to co-financing, Lightsource bp will collaborate in promoting and disseminating the project's results, helping to raise awareness among society and the business sector about the importance of the contribution of renewable energy projects to the promotion of natural ecosystems. Lightsource bp will also offer external advice and provide technical guidance for the successful development of the actions.
The LIFE SOS Pygargus project involves 18 partners and will be implemented in 49 Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000 Network (23 areas in Portugal and 26 in Spain), regions that are home to most of the Portuguese and cross-border populations of the species, and is expected to last 76 months (2024-2030).
Main objectives of the project
The main objectives of the project are to halt the sharp decline in population and increase the breeding population of the Montagu's harrier by 50% over the six-year duration, while also reducing mortality and nest destruction. On the other hand, the aim is to make certain agricultural practices compatible with the species' reproductive cycle by introducing cereal varieties that have been tested and confirmed as "bird-friendly crops", which will improve feeding and breeding habitat conditions and also add greater commercial value for the producers of these agricultural crops.
José Pereira, president of Palombar, emphasises "the importance of adopting a responsible energy transition model that ensures the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. One of the innovative actions of this project is the creation of Sensitivity Maps for the target species, based on scientific knowledge, for renewable energy infrastructure, which will make it possible to guide the planning and management of energy infrastructure, mitigating potential conflicts with habitats essential to this species. By co-financing this project, Lightsource bp is setting an example in adopting good practices that reconcile the development of renewable energy with nature conservation and reinforces the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving innovative and sustainable solutions that preserve species and their habitats, for the benefit of all.
"This project reflects our commitment to a truly sustainable energy transition that protects ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. Through this LIFE project, we will work in partnership with experts from Palombar to protect the habitat of Circus pygargus and promote innovative solutions such as sensitivity maps, which can guide future practices across Europe," says Pedro Fernandes, Head of Environment Planning Portugal at Lightsource bp.
About the project
LIFE SOS Pygargus - Urgent conservation actions to sustain Portuguese and transborder populations of the Montagu’s harrier is an Iberian project that brings together conservationists, farmers, scientists and public and private entities in an unprecedented effort to save this migratory bird from imminent extinction in some of its main areas of distribution in the Iberian Peninsula.
It combines nature conservation and agriculture to protect this species, which is fundamental to the balance of ecosystems. It is 75% funded by the European Union's LIFE programme and co-funded by Viridia – Conservation in Action, Lightsource bp and the Environmental Fund.
It is implemented by a consortium comprising Palombar – Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural (coordinating entity), BIOPOLIS-CIBIO Association, AEPGA - Associação para o Estudo e Proteção do Gado Asinino, ANPOC - Associação Nacional de Produtores de Proteaginosas, Oleaginosas e Cereais, CCDR-N - Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte, EDIA - Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infraestruturas do Alqueva SA, ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, INIAV - Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, LPN - Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, MC Shared Services SA, Modelo Continente Hipermercados SA, SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves, UTAD - Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vita Nativa - Conservação do Ambiente, AMUS - Acción por el Mundo Salvaje, Consejeria de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Desarrollo Sostenible - Junta de Extremadura, GREFA - Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat and the University of Murcia.
The LIFE SOS Pygargus project brings together conservationists, scientists, farmers, government entities and companies with the aim of saving the Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) from extinction in Portugal and western Spain. This bird is classified as "Endangered", with populations having declined by 80% in Portugal over the last decade. The project has been approved by the European Union (EU) LIFE Programme and has a total budget of almost €11 million, 75% of which (€8 million) is funded by the EU.
Meeting between Palombar and Lightsource bp, where financial support was formalised. Photo: DR.
Support contributes to monitoring, creation of species sensitivity maps and awareness raising
Lightsource bp's financial support will contribute to the monitoring of the target species and assessment of the potential impact of renewable energy projects on its populations, as well as to the development of species sensitivity maps, which will enable to identify critical areas and support the implementation of renewable energy infrastructure that minimises environmental impact.
In addition to co-financing, Lightsource bp will collaborate in promoting and disseminating the project's results, helping to raise awareness among society and the business sector about the importance of the contribution of renewable energy projects to the promotion of natural ecosystems. Lightsource bp will also offer external advice and provide technical guidance for the successful development of the actions.
The LIFE SOS Pygargus project involves 18 partners and will be implemented in 49 Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000 Network (23 areas in Portugal and 26 in Spain), regions that are home to most of the Portuguese and cross-border populations of the species, and is expected to last 76 months (2024-2030).
Main objectives of the project
The main objectives of the project are to halt the sharp decline in population and increase the breeding population of the Montagu's harrier by 50% over the six-year duration, while also reducing mortality and nest destruction. On the other hand, the aim is to make certain agricultural practices compatible with the species' reproductive cycle by introducing cereal varieties that have been tested and confirmed as "bird-friendly crops", which will improve feeding and breeding habitat conditions and also add greater commercial value for the producers of these agricultural crops.
José Pereira, president of Palombar, emphasises "the importance of adopting a responsible energy transition model that ensures the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. One of the innovative actions of this project is the creation of Sensitivity Maps for the target species, based on scientific knowledge, for renewable energy infrastructure, which will make it possible to guide the planning and management of energy infrastructure, mitigating potential conflicts with habitats essential to this species. By co-financing this project, Lightsource bp is setting an example in adopting good practices that reconcile the development of renewable energy with nature conservation and reinforces the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving innovative and sustainable solutions that preserve species and their habitats, for the benefit of all.
"This project reflects our commitment to a truly sustainable energy transition that protects ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. Through this LIFE project, we will work in partnership with experts from Palombar to protect the habitat of Circus pygargus and promote innovative solutions such as sensitivity maps, which can guide future practices across Europe," says Pedro Fernandes, Head of Environment Planning Portugal at Lightsource bp.
About the project
LIFE SOS Pygargus - Urgent conservation actions to sustain Portuguese and transborder populations of the Montagu’s harrier is an Iberian project that brings together conservationists, farmers, scientists and public and private entities in an unprecedented effort to save this migratory bird from imminent extinction in some of its main areas of distribution in the Iberian Peninsula.
It combines nature conservation and agriculture to protect this species, which is fundamental to the balance of ecosystems. It is 75% funded by the European Union's LIFE programme and co-funded by Viridia – Conservation in Action, Lightsource bp and the Environmental Fund.
It is implemented by a consortium comprising Palombar – Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural (coordinating entity), BIOPOLIS-CIBIO Association, AEPGA - Associação para o Estudo e Proteção do Gado Asinino, ANPOC - Associação Nacional de Produtores de Proteaginosas, Oleaginosas e Cereais, CCDR-N - Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte, EDIA - Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infraestruturas do Alqueva SA, ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, INIAV - Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, LPN - Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, MC Shared Services SA, Modelo Continente Hipermercados SA, SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves, UTAD - Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vita Nativa - Conservação do Ambiente, AMUS - Acción por el Mundo Salvaje, Consejeria de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Desarrollo Sostenible - Junta de Extremadura, GREFA - Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat and the University of Murcia.