Renewable Energy

BirdLife Europe supports achieving and going beyond Europe’s 2020 renewables target, in line with four key principles:

Renewables must be low carbon

Renewable energy supply must make a significant difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, accounting for emissions from the full life-cycle.

A strategic approach to deployment is needed

Positive planning frameworks are needed so that the most appropriate energy sources are exploited in the most appropriate places.

Harm to birds and biodiversity must be avoided

Precautionary avoidance of harm to biodiversity and ecosystems is essential when locating and designing renewable energy facilities.

Europe’s most important sites for wildlife must be protected

Where significant impacts on a Natura 2000 site (those protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives) are likely, development may only proceed under strict conditions which must be robustly applied.

Wind Power

Wind power is one of the most advanced and affordable renewable energy technologies available today. BirdLife Europe supports its deployment onshore and offshore in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions. If well-sited and managed, wind power does not pose unacceptable risks to wildlife and it is a clean, sustainable source of almost carbon-free electricity. However, in the wrong places wind turbines can present risks to birds through collision, displacement, barrier effects and changes to habitats.

We call on national governments to introduce rigorous strategic spatial planning, to demand high standards in the application of environmental assessments and to use their planning systems to ensure wind farms do not damage Europe’s most important sites for biodiversity.

BirdLife Partners can advise on the ecological risks at specific locations and may also be able to provide developers and planners with ‘sensitivity maps’ indicating where risks to birds are likely to be lowest.

Read More:

• Power Grid Development
• Bioenergy
• Back to Energy and Climate Change home

Publications, Briefings and Position Papers

• Delivering Synergies between Renewable Energy and Nature Conservation (November 2015)
• Wind farms and Birds: An updated analysis of the effects of wind farms on birds, and best practice guidance on integrated planning and impact assessment  (December 2011)
• Meeting Europe's Renewable Energy Targets in Harmony with Nature - Main report- (October 2011)
• Meeting Europe's Renewable Energy Targets in Harmony with Nature -Summary report- (October 2011)
  For the French version of the Summary, click here