Renewable Energy and Biodiversity: Striking a Balance for Sustainable Development 

The UK is undertaking a rapid transition to renewable energy with targets of transitioning to an electricity system with 100% zero-carbon generation by 2035. With 50.9% of total generation coming from renewable electricity in the first quarter of 2024, the transition is underway but there is still some way to go. ONS figures for 2023 show that electricity only supplies 19% of total UK energy usage.

Further, the expanding land use requirements for renewable energy sources present a potential conflict with local ecosystems. Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest threats facing human and planetary health, and according to Natural England, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Therefore, it is vital that energy projects are managed to reduce damage to the environment as much as possible. Climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected, so there is a major opportunity to deliver solutions that mitigate both crises and meet our sustainability targets. How can we ensure that renewable energy projects not only do not damage biodiversity but restore and protect nature?

Key discussion points were:

• Combined effort. The nascent shoots of the UK biodiversity crisis are beginning to be noticed, alongside the well-established understanding regarding the climate crisis. These two crises are intertwined and should be discussed in tandem and dealt with together.
• Public perception. Almost everyone is for biodiversity, for tackling the climate crisis, for being nature positive. However, when it impacts their lives and people need to make their own sacrifices these become less popular. We cannot be selective with the nature that we want to support.
• Capitalising on obvious opportunities. When solar farms and wind farms are established, they offer ample opportunity for nature, biodiversity and food chains to redevelop and thrive in an almost completely undisturbed environment.
• The importance of transparency and collaboration. To tackle these issues, it is key that policymakers, academia, and industry develops open-dialogue and work closely in order to approach the matter strategically and efficiently.
• Skills gaps. Jobs of the future need to be thought about now. The select committee on Energy Security and Net Zero will be embarking on a skills inquiry. This is a strong start and needs to be followed up efficiently. Skills and education offer important pipelines for future success.