Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Summary

About Havila Biogass:

Havila Biogass develops, constructs and operates renewable biomethane production facilities in Norway. The company focuses on converting agricultural and industrial organic by-products into renewable biomethane and biofertilizer through anaerobic digestion technology. The current project portfolio includes: Nesset (operational), Hustadvika (operational), Støren (development phase), Heggvin (development phase), and Haugalandet (development phase). The projects contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through replacement of fossil fuels and improved management of organic waste streams. DNV has reviewed the portfolio against the environmental and social risk management expectations embedded in the Equator Principles. Based on the scope of the review, no environmental or social gaps were identified relative to the assessed criteria.

Environmental Assessment

Environmental assessments are conducted as part of the Norwegian planning and permitting framework and include, where relevant:

  • Land use and planning considerations

  • Biodiversity and natural environment

  • Water resources

  • Noise impacts

  • Traffic impacts

  • Air emissions and odour management

  • Landscape considerations

  • Cultural heritage assessments

Havila Biogass’ projects are developed in accordance with applicable Norwegian environmental legislation and permit requirements. Havila Biogass monitors environmental performance through operational procedures, permit compliance activities and environmental reporting.

Key Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Potential environmental impacts associated with biogas production include:

  • Noise from industrial operations

  • Traffic associated with feedstock and product transport

  • Potential releases of digestate or process liquids

  • Potential impacts on local biodiversity and water resources

  • Odour emissions

To manage these impacts, Havila Biogass implements:

  • Permitted operational limits

  • Environmental monitoring programmes

  • Emergency preparedness procedures

  • Process control and containment systems

  • Corrective and preventive actions following incidents and deviations

Lessons learned from operational experience are incorporated into future projects and operating practices.

Social Assessment

Social considerations are assessed during project development and permitting processes. Relevant social topics include:

  • Occupational health and safety

  • Community health and safety

  • Local stakeholder interests

  • Traffic and infrastructure impacts

  • Access to information

  • Emergency preparedness

  • Local employment and economic activity

Stakeholder engagement forms part of project planning and regulatory processes. Municipal authorities, regulatory bodies, neighbours and other relevant stakeholders are engaged throughout project development and operations.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Havila Biogass continually works to improve environmental and social performance through:

  • Compliance monitoring

  • Incident reporting and investigation

  • HSE management processes

  • Stakeholder engagement

  • Independent technical reviews

  • Continuous improvement programmes

Environmental and social considerations remain an integrated part of project development and operational decision-making across the portfolio.

Human Rights Considerations

Havila Biogass operates exclusively in Norway and is subject to Norwegian legislation governing labour rights, occupational health and safety, environmental protection and stakeholder engagement. Potential human rights topics relevant to the portfolio include:

  • Safe and healthy working conditions

  • Protection of workers and contractors

  • Community health and safety

  • Access to stakeholder dialogue and information

  • Access to grievance and reporting mechanisms

  • Ethical conduct throughout the supply chain

  • No material human rights violations have been identified in relation to the project portfolio.

Havila Biogass maintains policies and procedures relating to ethics, health and safety, contractor management and whistleblowing. The company continues to develop and strengthen its governance framework as projects progress and operations expand.

Positive Climate Impacts

The projects support climate change mitigation by:

  • Producing renewable biomethane as an alternative to fossil fuels

  • Reducing methane emissions from organic waste streams

  • Supporting circular resource utilization

  • Producing biofertilizer that can contribute to more efficient nutrient management

The overall objective of the portfolio is to support the transition to a lower-emission energy system through renewable gas production.

Climate-Related Risks

Climate-related risks considered relevant to project development and operation include:

  • Extreme precipitation events

  • Flooding and water management challenges

  • Severe weather conditions

  • Potential impacts on site infrastructure and logistics

  • Increased regulatory expectations regarding climate performance

Climate resilience and environmental risk management are considered throughout project planning, construction and operation.