Renewable expansion: balancing growth with ecosystem preservation
Renewable projects produce cleaner energy. But some can damage local ecosystems through disruption to land use and habitats. The International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) warns that expanding renewable energy without safeguards could harm biodiversity. This session will discuss strategies to minimise the ecological impact of renewable power plants, including improving site selection, wildlife monitoring and exploring alternative renewable technologies such as offshore wind. While offshore wind technology offers significant potential, it can also disrupt ocean habitats and local marine systems. How can the energy transition to wind and solar power proceed without compromising ecosystems?