Article by Fran Button, Deputy CEO at British Solar Renewables
British Solar Renewables (BSR) are leading by example. We are backing up our words with action, and now we are calling on the rest of the solar industry to step up and do the same.
What is the Nature Protection Pledge?
The Nature Protection Pledge is our commitment to consider nature in everything we do – increasing biodiversity and supporting healthy ecosystems on every piece of land that we manage in our solar portfolio.
But it’s also a rallying cry to the wider industry.
The Pledge is a series of promises about how British Solar Renewables will increase biodiversity and support healthy ecosystems on the land within our stewardship.
It’s a call to the industry about having a bespoke approach to nature on solar parks tailored to the specific environment of that solar park. It is not enough to have a one size fits all approach to nature. The pledge encourages species specific protections for the native species on that park, such as, using locally sourced wildflower seeds where possible and planting seeds of nectar rich species to encourage pollinators.
Why was the Nature Protection Pledge created?
The Nature Protection Pledge is our response to a clear and growing concern: from farmers, landowners, government, communities, investors and the wider public, who want to see solar energy working in step with nature, not against it. There’s a shift happening in how we think about land use – and with it, a growing expectation that clean energy should also mean healthy ecosystems, local benefits, and rural resilience.
The Pledge reflects our belief that tackling the climate crisis, supporting food security and protecting nature must go hand in hand, and that solar parks can play a meaningful role in this.
We can show what’s possible when solar is done well. By following best practice, a solar park can do more than generate power. It can provide a home for wildlife, protect the soil, help tackle climate change, and support food production. That might mean low impact grazing on site or providing additional revenue for farms struggling with profitability. This is about making land work smarter – for nature, for farmers, and for the future.
Why does the Nature Protection Pledge matter now?
Communities want reassurance that landscapes won’t be lost. Farmers need support to continue producing our food. Policymakers are under pressure to deliver food, energy, climate and nature targets all at once. Solar is not a threat to food security, but climate change is.
Meanwhile, poor practice or lack of meaningful engagement from parts of the industry fuels mistrust. That’s why the Nature Protection Pledge matters now. It offers a clear, credible and practical approach that shows solar can be part of the solution.
As an example, solar farms that include more natural habitats and are managed with wildlife in mind support more species and nearly three times as many birds as nearby farmland.
The Pledge is about setting a higher standard. It offers a clear, practical approach that balances clean energy production with sustainable agriculture and nature protection.
Can ground-mounted solar work alongside farming?
Yes, ground-mounted solar can absolutely work alongside farming. It offers farmers a reliable and predictable revenue stream that complements traditional farming such as growing crops or raising livestock. It can be seen as diversification for farmers.
By integrating solar with practices like rotational grazing, farmers can also – where appropriate – continue to use the land for food production. This is especially important as traditional revenues start to become more vulnerable to extreme weather, shifting markets, or disease.
Beyond this, there’s also growing evidence that nature-friendly farming (supported by initiatives like solar) can deliver significant economic benefits.
For example, bees and other pollinators, essential for one-third of all food production, contribute an estimated £630m to the UK economy. With pollinator numbers in steep decline, backing farmers to adopt nature-friendly practices is vital for both food security and long-term sustainability.
Solar parks can be part of this solution, helping farmers protect the land and the wildlife that keep our food systems working.
It’s about finding the right balance. Solar isn’t here to replace farming. It can be part of a solution that creates new opportunities for farmers and the land they steward.
How does solar development support biodiversity?
At British Solar Renewables, we believe solar development should leave the land better than we found it. That’s why every one of our solar projects aims to deliver a minimum of 60 per cent biodiversity net gain – often exceeding this target.
For example, our Town Farm, Knowl Green, Lower Wyke Farm and Dengie sites have all achieved or are forecast to achieve over 200 per cent in BNG.
Through the Nature Protection Pledge, we are increasing biodiversity and supporting healthy ecosystems.
Our approach is tailored to each site, based on the local biodiversity. That might mean planting UK grown hedge plants to create green corridors for wildlife or installing bird and bat boxes appropriate to the local species.
By creating a diverse mix of habitats and managing them over the long term, solar parks can become thriving ecosystems – a crucial part of reversing nature loss in the UK.
How will the Nature Protection Pledge shape the industry and the future?
Last year, the RSPB published a study that found there’s enough land to restore nature and build the renewable energy infrastructure we need to reach net zero – but making both happen means putting nature at the heart of planning.
The Nature Protection Pledge isn’t just guiding how we develop and operate solar parks – it’s setting a new benchmark for what good looks like. We’re calling on the wider industry to adopt some, if not all, of its commitments, so that nature protection becomes the norm, not the exception.
This approach delivers long-term value across energy, farming, and environmental sectors. It shows that solar can support net zero, strengthen rural economies, and drive nature recovery all at the same time. By sharing our best practice and encouraging others to do the same, the industry can raise the bar and help ensure the transition to clean energy also delivers a healthier, more resilient countryside.
Learn more about the Nature Protection Pledge on BSR’s website
Fran Button is the Deputy CEO at British Solar Renewables