BirdLife Europe is calling for “ambitious” and “binding” EU renewable energy targets for 2030. In its new report, ‘Meeting Europe’s Renewable Energy Targets in Harmony with Nature’, the conservation body says that renewable energy targets can be met without harming nature.

Ariel Brunner, head of EU policy at BirdLife, stated that “climate change is a grave threat to wildlife…wind, wave and ocean power are essential and effective ways to cut carbon emissions, and do not need to put birds, bats or other wildlife in danger.”

Climate change would have disastrous consequences on the world’s birds. On average, bird populations in Europe would need to shift 550km north-east by the end of this century. Moreover, 15-37% of plants and animals could be extinct by 2050.

“Rapid and large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are a necessary part of the plan if we are to meet our goal of reversing biodiversity loss. BirdLife Europe therefore supports the EU’s target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, and is calling for this ambition to be increased to 30%.”

“We also support the renewable energy targets…as they have become a key driver in promoting the use of renewable energy and cutting EU carbon emissions,” BirdLife say in their report.

Rémi Gruet, senior regulatory affairs advisor at EWEA, said: “EWEA welcomes this new report, which backs our own call for ambitious 2030 renewable energy targets. It is a very positive message that puts an end to discussions about having wind energy or biodiversity: both are possible and are actually mutually reinforcing.”

The report notes that “renewable energy must become the backbone of Europe’s energy supply”, but it also says that it must be developed sensitively. “The challenge we face is to protect nature whilst deploying renewables at the scale and pace required.”