Europe’s renewables in line with nature!?
New Report shows how EU Member States could speed up the energy transition while safeguarding nature.
The race to expand renewable energy across Europe is speeding up, increasing the risk of side-lining nature in the process. A new BirdLife Europe report shows how Member States can speed up the energy transition by aligning measures with nature conservation and restoration. Europe has a unique chance to build a nature-positive renewable energy system that can decarbonise the economy, and restores ecosystems, while strengthening energy security, lowering costs and improving people’s health and wellbeing. But only if Member States align their goals now.
The European Commission’s latest assessment suggests the EU is on course to reduce emissions by 54% by 2030, nearly meeting the legally binding 55% target. At the same time, none of the measurable sub-targets under the EU Biodiversity Strategy are on track. With governments required to designate Renewable Acceleration Areas (RAAs) by February 2026 and to submit Nature Restoration Plans (NRPs) by September 2026, the next year presents a narrow but crucial opportunity to align energy and nature planning from the start.
“The report’s central message is clear: renewable expansion and biodiversity conservation and restoration don’t need to compete. Considering biodiversity and nature from the start can accelerate renewable deployment, while contributing to nature-friendly infrastructure that is supported by the public,”
says András Takács, Energy Policy Officer at Birdlife Europe & Central Asia
Delays in the renewable rollout are not caused by environmental rules. Instead, weak administrative capacity, inconsistent implementation, grid bottlenecks, and poor coordination are the main culprits. Rather than cutting corners on environmental standards, institutions need to be strengthened, and civil society needs to be engaged early and meaningfully to speed up the process.
Renewable projects can avoid sensitive sites and support ecosystem recovery through scientifically-informed planning, strong safeguards, and inclusive governance,. By following these steps, they also build public trust. But governments also need to do their part and help steer projects towards areas with low sensitivity. Transparent data and meaningful consultation[1] provide clarity for developers and investors, reduce conflict, and accelerate deployment.
Several Member States are beginning to explore ways to embed biodiversity into their renewable energy policies. One example is the use of ecological non-price criteria in renewable energy auctions. This allows projects that deliver net-biodiversity benefits[2] to have an advantage over those projects that only compete on the lowest costs. Yet in most cases, price remains the only deciding factor, too often favouring projects that cause environmental harm.
The upcoming RAAs and NRPs offer a chance to create genuine synergies between clean energy and nature restoration. But so far, there is little sign that governments are preparing them in tandem.
The stakes are high. If Member States fail to align climate and biodiversity planning, they risk undermining public confidence and wasting precious time.
BirdLife’s report showcases progress and pitfalls across eight Member States, offering practical lessons and examples to replicate as practical ways to speed up the energy transition while preserving and restoring nature. The path forward is well mapped: integrate planning across sectors, invest in capable public authorities, ensure transparent assessments, and embed participation at every stage.
The next year will be decisive. Governments must act quickly to establish these foundations, while civil society stands ready to provide support and help drive the change. Renewable energy can and must renew nature too.
[1] In this process, decision-makers carefully seek, discuss, and consider the views of the public and stakeholders to improve policies, plans, and projects. It goes beyond a mere formality, requiring good faith, transparency, and sufficient information and time for participants to provide informed input.
[2] Net biodiversity benefits mean leaving nature/ biodiversity in a better state than it was before a project. It is not just minimising damage but actively achieving measurable improvements in nature following a mitigation hierarchy: avoidance, minimising negative impacts, mitigation, and improving or creating habitats on-site and off-site.
Cover Picture: Johan van Beilen /Shutterstock
Read everything you need to know about an energy transition with nature in mind in our latest briefing:
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Stichting BirdLife Europe gratefully acknowledges financial support from the European Commission. All content and opinions expressed on these pages are solely those of Stichting BirdLife Europe. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. |
