What the client needed
Springwell Renewable Energy Development is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project seeking consent for an up to 800-megawatt proposed solar farm in England, making it the biggest consented solar farm in the UK. As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which was needed for the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, the client needed to demonstrate that the scheme would both avoid significant adverse climate impacts and contribute to the UK’s move towards net zero.
The main challenge was to present complex climate change information clearly and proportionately, giving decision‑makers confidence that the project’s impacts and benefits were known and understood.
The client required analysis of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the project’s construction, operation and decommissioning, as well as evidence of the long‑term climate benefits of the resulting renewable electricity generation. The climate assessment reduced planning risk by showing that the development aligned with national climate policy and delivered a net positive outcome for the climate.
What we did
- We delivered the Climate Change chapter of the Environmental Statement, providing clear, defensible evidence on the relationship between the development and climate change.
- We worked closely with the wider EIA project team, including other RSK businesses, to ensure the assessment was transparent and consistent with good practice guidance and provided clarity around the project’s overall climate credentials.
- Using our bespoke solar PV whole-life carbon calculator, we presented a clear narrative that explained emissions sources, identified hotspots and how their significance should be understood, and how they compare to the GHG savings delivered through renewable energy generation.
- We provided expert witness services during the Examination process, presenting and explaining the technical evidence and responding to challenges and queries, which assisted the Examining Authority in their decision to recommend the application for approval.
The difference we made
The climate change chapter played a key role in strengthening the DCO submission by demonstrating that the Springwell Renewable Energy Development delivers a net climate benefit.
By translating complex GHG emissions data into an accessible narrative, we helped the client address potential concerns early and reduce the risk of challenge during examination. The assessment provided clear evidence that the project supports national climate objectives and the transition to a low‑carbon energy system, reinforcing the case for consent.
Nature Positive provided data‑led evidence that demonstrated the project’s long‑term climate benefits, helping to support a robust and credible DCO application. This evidence formed part of the Environmental Statement for Springwell Solar Farm, which was granted development consent in April 2026.