Plants and Animals Thrive in Nissan Biodiversity Project

Water voles, amphibians, bats, badgers, and birds of prey are thriving at Nissan Sunderland Plant, an industrial hub now teeming with wildlife thanks to a rewilding project aimed at boosting biodiversity.

Situated near the plant’s first wind farm built almost 20 years ago, and its second solar farm, the rewilded area highlights Nissan’s commitment to sustainability. Andy Barker, Engineering Manager at the plant, described how an area of uninhabited marshland was transformed into a vibrant habitat for wildlife.

“We’re passionate about sustainability, so creating a space where wildlife can flourish is incredibly rewarding,” Barker said. “It’s amazing to see how quickly and how many animals have made this area their home.”

The project, led by Nissan’s Engineering team in collaboration with solar farm developer Atrato Partners Ltd, took just over a year to complete. Efforts included removing invasive shrubs, restoring the habitat, and constructing a viewing hide to observe the wildlife. The area has since attracted a range of species, including owls, bats, herring gulls, buzzards, kestrels, badgers, deer, and great crested newts. Native plants like bee orchids, white clover, cowslips, and garden lupins have also flourished.

The initiative also involved adding a new pond and grassland to the marshland, combining ecological restoration with renewable energy development. Barker emphasised the holistic nature of the project, which integrates biodiversity with sustainability goals.

Nissan Sunderland Plant now generates 20% of its electricity from renewable sources thanks to its wind and solar farms. This achievement is part of the company’s broader EV36Zero blueprint, which seeks to transform the plant into a leading hub for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and battery production.

Under Nissan’s global Ambition 2030 strategy, the company is driving toward a sustainable future to achieve carbon neutrality across the lifecycle of its products by fiscal year 2050. The rewilding project at Sunderland underscores the potential for industry and nature to coexist in harmony.

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