Tata Steel’s Shotton Works receives top wildlife conservation award

Tata Steel’s Shotton Works in Deeside has been awarded The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark for land management, making it the largest industrial manufacturing site in Wales to hold the prestigious accreditation.

The award recognises businesses that demonstrate excellence in biodiversity conservation, and Shotton Works secured the standard through its long-term commitment to nature restoration and responsible land management.

The achievement is part of Tata Steel’s wider Shotton Sustainability Commitment, launched in 2022, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions, improving material efficiency, and enhancing biodiversity.

As part of this initiative, the company has integrated biodiversity into its operations, setting clear policies, performance indicators, and action plans to track progress.

The site’s biodiversity committee, which includes representatives from across the business, works alongside external partners such as Natural Resources Wales, Flintshire County Council Rangers, and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Surveys and audits, including a bee survey by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and bird monitoring with the Merseyside Ringing Group, have helped guide conservation efforts.

A thriving habitat for wildlife

Shotton Works supports a rich variety of wildlife, including grass snakes, badgers, dragonflies, and more than 80 species of birds. The site’s wetlands, reedbeds, and tidal marshes play a vital role in storing carbon and providing essential habitats.

One of its most notable conservation successes is the protection of the common tern, a seabird with amber conservation status, meaning it is at risk.

Tata Steel has actively encouraged the species to nest at the site by creating islands and installing nesting rafts. As a result, the number of fledglings has risen from just 17 in 1970 to nearly 400 annually, making it one of the top five common tern colonies in the UK.

In recognition of its ecological importance, part of the Shotton Works site has been designated as a Ramsar Site, marking it as a wetland of international significance.

Additionally, the settlement pond complex, known as Shotton Lagoons and Reed Beds, has been classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1999.

Supporting both nature and wellbeing

Tata Steel’s biodiversity efforts extend beyond wildlife conservation. The company has developed walking routes, bird hides, and an education centre to allow employees and visitors to engage with nature.

Ranger-led guided walks, clean-up events, and school visits help to raise awareness and encourage environmental responsibility.

Speaking about the award, Matthew Roberts, Works Manager at Shotton, said:

“In a world that is faced with a climate emergency, at Shotton Works we are committed to providing a positive environmental legacy. Part of this includes protecting biodiversity for future generations and ensuring our industrial operations both coexist with and enhance the natural environment around us.”

“When we first launched the Shotton Sustainability Commitment in 2022, our ambition was to achieve The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark, and we are so proud and delighted to have now received that accreditation.”

Emma Wright, Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Graduate at Tata Steel, added:

“The achievement is testament to our company-wide commitment to conserving, enhancing, and restoring biodiversity. It recognises the positive changes we have made to maximise the biodiversity we live alongside.”

Recognised for best practice

The Wildlife Trusts commended Shotton Works for its long-standing conservation efforts, particularly its 50-year commitment to protecting the common tern colony.

Emma Price-Thomas, Head of Corporate Partnerships at The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“Congratulations to Tata Steel for achieving The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark for land management within its Shotton site in Deeside. Achieving this challenging standard is testament to Tata Steel and the commitment of its employees to protecting and improving wildlife on this site.”

“The protection and enhancement of the area that many species call home, species which are struggling such as the common tern, is crucial if we are to succeed in bringing nature back.”

The Biodiversity Benchmark is the only certification in the UK that recognises businesses for their ongoing commitment to nature conservation. It complements existing environmental standards like ISO 14001, ensuring that companies integrate biodiversity protection into their land management practices.

For more information about The Wildlife Trusts and their Biodiversity Benchmark, visit www.wildlifetrusts.org.