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UPDATER and Think Nature Join Forces for Biodiversity Preservation in Solar Energy

In an innovative collaboration aimed at ensuring both carbon neutrality and biodiversity conservation, UPDATER Co., Ltd. and Think Nature Inc. have initiated a joint project to visually assess and evaluate the impact of solar power plants on local ecosystems. This initiative comes as concerns grow over the environmental effects of constructing solar facilities, which, while integral to combating climate change, often lead to ecological destruction.

Context of the Collaboration

In recent years, the construction of solar energy installations has raised significant environmental concerns. Ideally, actions to combat climate change should go hand in hand with efforts to protect and restore biodiversity. However, the current trend in renewable energy development has often prioritized large-scale, low-cost carbon dioxide reduction, at times resulting in damage to local natural environments. This has led to a troubling narrative where solar energy is broadly equated with ecological harm, hindering effective climate change strategies that need to be advanced.

To tackle these pressing issues, UPDATER plans to leverage its expertise gained through the “Everyone’s Electricity” initiative, which focuses on community symbiosis and eco-friendly energy procurement. Meanwhile, Think Nature brings to the table cutting-edge techniques, including big data analytics and AI, to form a novel method for objectively understanding and evaluating the impacts of renewable energy development on ecosystems.

Project Overview

The project marks a milestone in biodiversity assessment as it utilizes Think Nature’s proprietary “Biodiversity Impact Assessment Tool” across solar power plants procured by UPDATER. The goal is to verify the effectiveness and practicality of the evaluation methods.

By leveraging biodiversity big data alongside current land use information, the project aims to visualize the impacts of solar power development and operation on surrounding ecosystems. Through this process, regions that should be avoided for development and areas with comparatively low ecological impact can be identified. It will also assess the degree of alteration in detailed local land use conditions (such as natural forests, artificial forests, grasslands, and farmland) to quantify biodiversity losses and gains pre- and post-development. In addition, it aims to visualize the degree of achievement of concepts like no net loss or net positive outcomes.

Project Details

• - Project Name: Solar Power Plant Biodiversity Impact Assessment Tool Pilot Project
• - Duration: June 2026 - September 2026 (tentative)
• - Location: Solar power plants in Japan procured by UPDATER
• - Participants: UPDATER Co., Ltd. and Think Nature Inc.

Future Direction

Currently, UPDATER is utilizing its solar power plants as evaluation fields to progress in verifying evaluation methods, aiming to complete a prototype evaluation by the first half of 2026. In the future, the methodology is to be made available for external use by power generation firms, electric businesses, and investors, ultimately evolving into a “social platform” for objectively assessing biodiversity-conscious renewable energy development.

Through this project, UPDATER seeks to establish a clear vision for the future of renewable energy procurement in Japan, aspiring to become the de facto standard within the industry.

About UPDATER

Established on May 25, 2011, UPDATER, formerly known as Everyone’s Electricity, is a pioneer in providing traceability and transparency in energy services. The company has been recognized for its significant contributions towards solving social issues, notably by commercializing the world’s first electric power traceability in its decarbonization business. They also focus on promoting wellbeing in the labor market, assessing brand ethics, and facilitating consumer purchasing based on product backgrounds and stories specifically through their various platforms like TADORi and others.

UPDATER has received numerous awards, including the Prime Minister’s Award at the 4th Japan SDGs Awards, achieving CDP certification as a renewable energy provider and B Corp certification as an energy provider, affirming their commitment to sustainability.

For more detailed information, please visit UPDATER’s corporate site.
For press inquiries, contact:

• - UPDATER Strategic Public Relations: 03-6805-2228 (Monday to Friday, 11:00 - 15:00)
• - Email: [email protected]