Alvus ESG

Alvus is Latin for Beehive. In our world, bees do much more than produce honey. They play a key role as pollinators, enabling plants, crops, and life to flourish. However, as our societies have expanded, bee populations have declined at an alarming pace. Despite the severe ramifications of their disappearance, no effective solutions have yet been implemented. 

Bees showcase how environmental risks, socio-ecological systems, and the globalised economy interact to create multifaceted challenges with far reaching consequences. These complex issues require research, collaboration between different stakeholders, and strong governance tools to reach effective solutions.

A robust management of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects is critical for every organisation. Not only does it contribute to continued sustainable development, but it is also strongly correlated with improved financial performance. By improving ESG management, we aim to increase the positive externalities of Projects and Companies on society through community development, empowerment of vulnerable groups and the promotion of human rights.

At Alvus, we specialise in addressing the ESG challenges that our clients face when operating in emerging markets, such as compliance, access to funding, and reputational risks. We address them by deploying a strong scientific and technical knowhow and working with all stakeholders to design bespoke solutions.

Mission Statement

Contribute

to shaping a sustainable future by developing tools to effectively manage environmental and social challenges.

Promote

Human Rights, the empowerment of vulnerable groups, public participation and poverty reduction.

Understand

our clients needs and help them effectively integrate sustainability into their business operations.

Create

a fulfilling working environment to grow and enjoy work while making a positive contribution to society.

Sustainable Profit Use

The transition towards a sustainable economy requires companies to shift away from focusing solely on profit-making for shareholders towards responsible pricing and profit investment.

At Alvus, we are committed to providing our services at competitive rates based on our actual costs and we aim to innovate and maximise positive environmental and social externalities arising from our work.

Our profits are invested in CSR, shared with the team as incentives, and reinvested in the Company to continue to provide high quality services.

Our Partners

Successful project delivery requires a clear understanding of sustainability strategies, combining strong technical knowhow with an awareness of local conditions. Meaningful partnerships are essential to delivering high quality services and maximising the positive impacts of our projects.  

Alvus works in a strategic partnership with Taxus Medioambiente, a Spanish environmental consultancy with a strong track record in environmental assessments in Latin America and the EU, having obtained clearance for over 700 projects in the last 15 years. Taxus’ environmental specialists, who are very familiar with best practices in the European context, regularly publish research papers on EIA methodologies and guidelines.

We also establish long term partnership with consultancies in each country where we work to incorporate their expertise into our projects. One of those firms is Bimco, a leading Ugandan consultancy firm with a strong track record in East Africa. Our team members have partnered with BIMCO on several projects over the last few years and the team’s synergies brought added value for our clients.

Alvus also works with a network of world-class researchers from universities and public organisations to ensure that the solutions designed for each project are aligned with the most advanced methodologies.

Our Team

Carlos Ponte
Director

Carlos Ponte Director

Carlos has over 12 years of experience in consultancy. He has done environmental and social work for over 85 Projects in 25 countries following International Standards.

Carlos has worked on the development of ESIA Regulations and Management Systems for Environmental Statutory Authorities. He has also worked as a Lender E&S Advisor for international banks, prepared studies and led audits for some of the largest power plants in the world, and prepared E&S studies for infrastructure projects, industrial facilities and city wide master plans.

Carlos has published several research papers on impact assessment methodologies and prepared his MSc dissertation on the Stakeholder Engagement for Environmental Assessments.

Bomi Kim
Social and Development Consultant

Bomi Kim Social and Development Consultant

Bomi is a specialist on social and development studies. In addition to ESIA work, Bomi leads the social and gender aspects of due diligences and site audits, the preparation of Community Development Plans for Resettlement Action Plans, and Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

Before joining Alvus, Bomi coordinated training and microfinance programmes for rural women in Uganda and worked in Berlin researching climate change mitigation for small-holder farmers in developing countries. She also interned in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Johannesburg.

Bomi holds a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University in the City of New York, a Master’s in Public Policy from the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley.

Connor Laan
Environmental and Social Consultant

Connor Laan Environmental and Social Consultant

Connor is an environmental management specialist. He has developed Environmental and Social Management Systems for internationally funded projects, audited construction sites against ESMS and Lender requirements, and led the preparation of environmental and social impact assessments for a number of wind farms and PV plants across Europe and Africa.

Connor holds a B.Sc. in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Before joining Alvus, he worked for a sustainability initiative in the Atlantic Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro.

Maria Rivera
Rural Livelihoods
Specialist

Maria Rivera Rural Livelihoods Specialist

Maria works as a post-doctoral research assistant at the University of Évora (Portugal) while engaging in consultancy work for Alvus on a part time basis. She is part of the Dynamo Research Group, engaged in a large number of EU Projects and specialised in rural land-use systems and socio-ecological processes and dynamics. Maria is currently part of the H2020 SALSA project, which focuses on understanding the role of small farms and small food businesses in food security.

Maria holds a PhD in Project Planning for Rural Development and has worked as a rural and livelihood specialist undertaking Resettlement Action Plans, Livelihood Restoration Plans and Community Development Plans in the MENA region and in Sub Saharan Africa. Before joining the University of Evora, Maria worked for the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), coordinating a variety of projects related to the social dynamics of rural areas and communities through qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Carlos Ponte Director

Carlos has over 12 years of experience in consultancy. He has done environmental and social work for over 85 Projects in 25 countries following International Standards.

Carlos has worked on the development of ESIA Regulations and Management Systems for Environmental Statutory Authorities. He has also worked as a Lender E&S Advisor for international banks, prepared studies and led audits for some of the largest power plants in the world, and prepared E&S studies for infrastructure projects, industrial facilities and city wide master plans.

Carlos has published several research papers on impact assessment methodologies and prepared his MSc dissertation on the Stakeholder Engagement for Environmental Assessments.

Bomi Kim Social and Development Consultant

Bomi is a specialist on social and development studies. In addition to ESIA work, Bomi leads the social and gender aspects of due diligences and site audits, the preparation of Community Development Plans for Resettlement Action Plans, and Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

Before joining Alvus, Bomi coordinated training and microfinance programmes for rural women in Uganda and worked in Berlin researching climate change mitigation for small-holder farmers in developing countries. She also interned in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Johannesburg.

Bomi holds a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University in the City of New York, a Master’s in Public Policy from the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley.

Connor Laan Environmental and Social Consultant

Connor is an environmental management specialist. He has developed Environmental and Social Management Systems for internationally funded projects, audited construction sites against ESMS and Lender requirements, and led the preparation of environmental and social impact assessments for a number of wind farms and PV plants across Europe and Africa.

Connor holds a B.Sc. in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Before joining Alvus, he worked for a sustainability initiative in the Atlantic Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro.

Maria Rivera Rural Livelihoods Specialist

Maria works as a post-doctoral research assistant at the University of Évora (Portugal) while engaging in consultancy work for Alvus on a part time basis. She is part of the Dynamo Research Group, engaged in a large number of EU Projects and specialised in rural land-use systems and socio-ecological processes and dynamics. Maria is currently part of the H2020 SALSA project, which focuses on understanding the role of small farms and small food businesses in food security.

Maria holds a PhD in Project Planning for Rural Development and has worked as a rural and livelihood specialist undertaking Resettlement Action Plans, Livelihood Restoration Plans and Community Development Plans in the MENA region and in Sub Saharan Africa. Before joining the University of Evora, Maria worked for the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), coordinating a variety of projects related to the social dynamics of rural areas and communities through qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Moses Otim
Team Leader BIMCO

Moses Otim Team Leader, BIMCOr

Moses has 15 years’ experience as a NEMA registered Team Leader. He has undertaken Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Audits, developed Environmental and Social Management Plans and Systems, particularly for large infrastructure developments, projects due diligence, monitoring compliance with environmental and social safeguards.

Moses holds a MSc in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation with Specialization on Environmental Systems Analysis and Management by the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

Sheba Ndagire
Environmental Management Professional

Sheba Ndagire Environmental Management Professional

Sheba is an environmental management professional with 10 years of professional experience. She has worked in the assessment and supervision of large infrastructure and industrial projects.

Sheba has also developed tools for water hygiene and sanitation, public health surveillance, villages health profiling, occupational health surveillance and health safety and environment monitoring in the construction sector.

Sheba holds a MSc in Public Health by Brunel University in the UK and a BSc in Forestry by Makerere University in Kampala.

Javier Granero
Technical Director Taxus Medioambiente

Javier Granero Technical Director, Taxus Medioambiente

Javier is one of the founding partners of Taxus Medioambiente and its Technical Director since 2003. He has been Project Director of over 500 EIA projects in Spain, other EU countries, Eastern Europe and South America.

Javier has published several papers on EIA methodologies and EIA Guidelines, and is very familiar with best practices in the European context, specifically in relation to European Environmental Directives.

Luna Puentes
Biodiversity and EIA Specialist

Luna Puentes Biodiversity and EIA Specialist

Luna is a biologist and EIA project manager. She specialises in incorporating the latest research into the assessment of projects, applying the Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) and other guidelines and research.

Her expertise on the biodiversity field focuses on the development of management plans for protected areas (National Parks, Natura 2000 sites), protected species, and the eradication or management of invasive species.

Moses Otim Team Leader, BIMCOr

Moses has 15 years’ experience as a NEMA registered Team Leader. He has undertaken Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Audits, developed Environmental and Social Management Plans and Systems, particularly for large infrastructure developments, projects due diligence, monitoring compliance with environmental and social safeguards.

Moses holds a MSc in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation with Specialization on Environmental Systems Analysis and Management by the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

Sheba Ndagire Environmental Management Professional

Sheba is an environmental management professional with 10 years of professional experience. She has worked in the assessment and supervision of large infrastructure and industrial projects.

Sheba has also developed tools for water hygiene and sanitation, public health surveillance, villages health profiling, occupational health surveillance and health safety and environment monitoring in the construction sector.

Sheba holds a MSc in Public Health by Brunel University in the UK and a BSc in Forestry by Makerere University in Kampala.

Javier Granero Technical Director, Taxus Medioambiente

Javier is one of the founding partners of Taxus Medioambiente and its Technical Director since 2003. He has been Project Director of over 500 EIA projects in Spain, other EU countries, Eastern Europe and South America.

Javier has published several papers on EIA methodologies and EIA Guidelines, and is very familiar with best practices in the European context, specifically in relation to European Environmental Directives.

Luna Puentes Biodiversity and EIA Specialist

Luna is a biologist and EIA project manager. She specialises in incorporating the latest research into the assessment of projects, applying the Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) and other guidelines and research.

Her expertise on the biodiversity field focuses on the development of management plans for protected areas (National Parks, Natura 2000 sites), protected species, and the eradication or management of invasive species.

Eloy Montes
Acoustic and Flicker Modelling Specialist

Eloy Montes  Acoustic and Flicker Modelling Specialist

Eloy is an Acoustic specialist with over 10 years of experience. He has led the noise baseline studies for 95 industrial facilities to date, using CadnaA.

Eloy has also published technical articles on acoustic impact prediction in the proceedings of the Spanish EIA Congress.

Jessica Rodríguez
Atmospheric Modelling Specialist

Jessica Rodríguez  Atmospheric Modelling Specialist

Jessica is a GIS and atmospheric modelling specialist. She has worked for Taxus since 2010 and modelled the atmospheric emissions of 23 industrial facilities using Aermod and Calpuff.

Beatriz Villazan
Oceanography and Effluent Discharge Assessment

Beatriz Villazan Oceanography and Effluent Discharge Assessment

Beatriz is an experienced oceanographist and marine consultant. Beatriz completed her PhD in Ecophysiology of Seagrasses at the University of Cádiz and had a placement on the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and the University of Roskilde. She also holds a BSc in Biology and a BSc in Marine Science.

Beatriz has extensive experience in working with the taxonomy of phytoplankton and zooplankton species, microalgae biology and ecophysiology; seagrass biology, ecophysiology, morphology and population dynamics and ecosystems services of different marine ecosystems.

She has worked on consultancy projects focused on spill remediation and on the assessment of dredging and discharge impacts from infrastructure and industrial facilities.

José Ramón Perez
Hydrology and Hydrogeology Specialist

José Ramón Perez  Hydrology and Hydrogeology Specialist

José Ramón is specialist in groundwater hydrogeology. He has studied geology and environmental science and has published several research papers about geomorphology and hydrogeology. Before he started working in consultancy, he collaborated with the University of the Basque Country as a tutor and researcher

Eloy Montes  Acoustic and Flicker Modelling Specialist

Eloy is an Acoustic specialist with over 10 years of experience. He has led the noise baseline studies for 95 industrial facilities to date, using CadnaA.

Eloy has also published technical articles on acoustic impact prediction in the proceedings of the Spanish EIA Congress.

Jessica Rodríguez  Atmospheric Modelling Specialist

Jessica is a GIS and atmospheric modelling specialist. She has worked for Taxus since 2010 and modelled the atmospheric emissions of 23 industrial facilities using Aermod and Calpuff.

Beatriz Villazan Oceanography and Effluent Discharge Assessment

Beatriz is an experienced oceanographist and marine consultant. Beatriz completed her PhD in Ecophysiology of Seagrasses at the University of Cádiz and had a placement on the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and the University of Roskilde. She also holds a BSc in Biology and a BSc in Marine Science.

Beatriz has extensive experience in working with the taxonomy of phytoplankton and zooplankton species, microalgae biology and ecophysiology; seagrass biology, ecophysiology, morphology and population dynamics and ecosystems services of different marine ecosystems.

She has worked on consultancy projects focused on spill remediation and on the assessment of dredging and discharge impacts from infrastructure and industrial facilities.

José Ramón Perez  Hydrology and Hydrogeology Specialist

José Ramón is specialist in groundwater hydrogeology. He has studied geology and environmental science and has published several research papers about geomorphology and hydrogeology. Before he started working in consultancy, he collaborated with the University of the Basque Country as a tutor and researcher

Alexis Puente
Bat Specialist

Alexis Puente  Bat Specialist

Alexis is an experienced bird and bat specialist. He has led numerous bat studies for EIAs and prepared his doctoral research thesis on the phenology of chiroptera species in different habitats gradients. Before joining Taxus in 2010, Alexis worked for the Ecology Departments of the University of Granada and Oviedo.

Javier Cordón
Ornithologist

Javier Cordón  Ornithologist

Javier is an experienced biologist who has led the assessment on the impacts on birds for the ESIAs of 87 wind farms and 38 power lines. He is an expert on the application of EU Directive 2009/147/CE on the conservation of birds.

He has published several papers on bird monitoring for windfarms (2011), the statistical analysis of bird collision models (2012) and the review of wildlife monitoring protocols for windfarms (2013).

Alexis Puente  Bat Specialist

Alexis is an experienced bird and bat specialist. He has led numerous bat studies for EIAs and prepared his doctoral research thesis on the phenology of chiroptera species in different habitats gradients. Before joining Taxus in 2010, Alexis worked for the Ecology Departments of the University of Granada and Oviedo.

Javier Cordón  Ornithologist

Javier is an experienced biologist who has led the assessment on the impacts on birds for the ESIAs of 87 wind farms and 38 power lines. He is an expert on the application of EU Directive 2009/147/CE on the conservation of birds.

He has published several papers on bird monitoring for windfarms (2011), the statistical analysis of bird collision models (2012) and the review of wildlife monitoring protocols for windfarms (2013).

Our Project Experience

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