GRAHAM builds on biodiversity - Business In The Community

GRAHAM builds on biodiversity

Historically based in Dromore and Hillsborough, GRAHAM is a privately owned multi-skilled organisation which operates in the fields of construction, asset management and project management.

Background

Initially delivering contracts in the UK, GRAHAM has been in existence for over 200 years and now maintains twelve regional offices throughout the UK and Ireland.

What GRAHAM did

Operating in an industry which has historically had negative effects on biodiversity, GRAHAM is not only proactively managing its impact on the biodiversity of its projects but aims to enhance the biodiversity within these areas.

Biodiversity risks and opportunities are explored through its ‘Ecological Protection and Biodiversity Management Plans’. Subsequent actions and mitigation measures are implemented via the appointed Biodiversity Champion on each site. Actions are monitored through audits undertaken by both the Biodiversity Champion and environmental professionals

Alongside this, GRAHAM engages positively with its clients to promote biodiversity improvement measures and to champion realistic opportunities potentially achievable within active projects. Recent GRAHAM projects with positive biodiversity benefits include the A2 Shore Road Upgrading – with habitat creation, native planting, mammal mitigation measures and bird/bat boxes; Ulster Hospital – soft landscaping features with native wildflowers and new bird nesting boxes; Adelaide House Refurbishment – roof-mounted bird boxes and insect boxes; Lagan Weir Footbridge – remote river bank working adopted to minimise disturbance to Guillemot nesting areas and historic seal habitat.

The outcomes and impacts

  • First company in Northern Ireland to host the NEBOSH Award in Environmental Awareness at Work – 48 employees have benefitted from training
  • GRAHAM developed ‘The Green Pocket Guide; For Environmental Good Practice Whilst Working On-Site’ which is now issued to new and long-term sub-contractors
  • Tangible reduction in environmental incidents
  • To find out more, email lianne.rafferty@graham.co.uk