Businesses play a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity, both locally and globally. This goes beyond simply reducing emissions and the consumption of natural resources; it also involves considering the environmental changes impacting the immediate surroundings of their sites. The aim is to preserve ecosystem services as much as possible, thereby actively protecting and strengthening the biodiversity that underpins our very existence.
Pirelli has chosen to act with a comprehensive global Biodiversity plan, launching a structured programme aimed at defining concrete actions for the protection and regeneration of nature at all of the Group's plants and testing tracks.
When it comes to Biodiversity, bees play a pivotal role: approximately 75% of global food crops depend, at least in part, on the value provided by pollination. Consider that without their work, one out of every three bites of food we eat would not exist. Furthermore, improving the pollination process has the potential to increase crop yields by up to 25%.
These tiny yet invaluable pollinators face growing threats from climate change and habitat-destroying pollution.
Recognising this critical issue, several Pirelli facilities have decided to host an apiary.
Among them is the Bollate site, which, despite its urban location not far from green spaces, proved to be an ideal environment after careful analysis to encourage the local repopulation of pollinators.
Within the company's grounds, a corporate apiary has been established, housing an impressive 240,000 bees. During the peak development of the colonies (between May and June), it's estimated they can pollinate a staggering 120 million flowers every single day. Situated in a clearly defined area, ensuring safety for both people and the bees themselves, the hives are managed by a specialised company that guarantees the care and attention they need. In the coming months, the development of the colonies will be closely monitored, offering a fascinating glimpse into how the bees interact with the urban-green environment of Bollate.
Where biodiversity is championed, human involvement is essential. Public awareness is a crucial catalyst for the continuous improvement of biodiversity efforts. To this end, the Bollate plant has launched a series of hands-on workshops dedicated to understanding the world of bees in a controlled and accessible setting – a unique opportunity to observe the life and organisation of a pollinator colony up close, right here in Italy as the season unfolds. The workshop programme will continue in the coming months with a structured schedule designed to coincide with the bees' life cycle and the key stages of honey production, ensuring a comprehensive and naturally aligned experience.
Last but not least, a Tiny Forest (a term for a "small woodland") has also been created within the company grounds in Bollate. Designed to grow naturally and sustainably over time, even in limited spaces, this ecosystem features native species such as Birches, Lindens, Prunus Pissardi, and Pyramidal Hornbeams. These will encourage the return of biodiversity, improve air quality, combat the "heat island" effect, and absorb CO₂.
Native species are, in fact, fundamental for the natural balance of ecosystems, which are often threatened by the proliferation of invasive species. Alongside the responsible management of green areas within its facilities, Pirelli's Biodiversity Action Plans place particular emphasis on neighbouring areas. Here, projects focus on planting native species, creating favourable habitats for local fauna, and eradicating invasive species. A compelling illustration is the recent project, undertaken with the environmental group NaBu, to eradicate the invasive "Heracleum mantegazzianum" (Giant Hogweed) in the vicinity of Pirelli's German facility in the Breuberg and Lützelbach regions. The invasive and ecologically harmful plant was expertly removed by specialised teams this past April, a crucial step in restoring the natural harmony of the area and safeguarding its native biodiversity for the future.
Pirelli's tangible initiatives – from the buzzing apiaries and the burgeoning Tiny Forest to the decisive eradication of invasive species – illustrate how the vital work of biodiversity conservation can be woven into the very fabric of their daily operations. This commitment blends innovation, environmental responsibility, and the active involvement of people, ultimately benefiting the local environment and the quality of life in the regions where the company operates.
