Renewable Energy development - yes - but in a strategic and sustainable way!
BirdLife proposals on renewable energy developmentThe development of Renewable Energy sources (like solar, wind, hydro, tidal or bio-energy) is an essential element in fighting climate change. However, to be effective and in order not to harm ecosystems and biodiversity, BirdLife promotes the following principles:
- Renewable Energy sources must make a significant difference in reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions; this is not a given fact, for example most curent biofuels such as ethanol produced for corn or wheat ,or biodiesel produced from oil seed rape or soy don't meet this condition;
- The development of Renewable Energy sources must follow a strategic approach, so that the most appropriate energy sources are produced at the most appropriate places (e.g. windfarms located in the wrong places can cause massive mortally of birds and bats but this impact can be greatly reduced by choosing the right sites). A key approach is the mapping of renewable energy potential and the overlap of these maps with maps of environmentally sensitive areas such as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) or migration corridors. Early-stage and high-level strategic planning, Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments (SEA) and stakeholder consultation can help avoid conflicts and delays at the project level and helps realizing the objectives quicker;
- Renewable Energy development must avoid harm to biodiversity and ecosystems. Wind farms for example should be located only outside of, and without significant negative impact on Important Bird Areas. Tidal power and wave power should be pursued through well located and usually small scale installations avoiding the destruction of ecologically vital river estuaries. Solar panels can be fitted on roofs, surfaced areas and other degraded land rather than encroaching on remaining natural habitats.
- Particular care should be taken in building adequate safeguards into the development of bioenergy, given the huge land use implication and the potential severe impacts on biodiversity and food production. The production of inefficient biofuels should be abandoned but many technologies such as combined heat and power production from organic waste and wood, biogas from manure and potentially new technologies such as "second generation" biofuels can give an important contribution to our energy future. However strict rules should ensure that biomass production does not lead to the clearing of natural habitats, overexploitation of forests or unsustainable agriculture intensification.
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