Ivan Scrase, RSPB Senior climate Change Policy Officer
Building the energy infrastructure that Europe needs to tackle climate change can, and must, be achieved with wildlife and nature in mind. So shows our new report Connecting Energy, Protecting Nature launched in Brussels this week.
Photos © HorstWagner.eu
In particular we address the energy 'projects of common interest' (PCIs) which the EU selects and promotes as the highest priority investments. These PCIs benefit from 'streamlined' permitting procedures and access to EU funds. As flagship EU projects, it's vital that these projects showcase a joined up approach that meet the range of Europe's objectives, including environmental sustainability.
We had a novel ‘fishbowl’ debate at the launch, with four to six seats are arranged in the middle of the room, and people from the audience joining and leaving the centre to add to the ongoing discussion. Antonella Battaglini, CEO of the Renewables Grid Initiative, which kindly organised the launch event, maintained diversity in the fishbowl's ecosystem. Contributors from DG Environment, National Grid and REE (the UK and Spanish grid operators), BirdLife and many others either volunteered for the fishbowl, or got harpooned by Antonella.
Two issues emerged clearly for me. First, while there are ways to protect nature and get environmental NGOs behind the grid projects that are clearly needed, those people who live in the places where new lines are planned often have different views. There are risks of creating an unfortunate 'environment versus people' dynamic on the ground – perhaps a local expression of the outdated (yet all too alive) 'nature versus economy' thinking that survives in the some high level political circles.
Second, Europe needs a vision and a project for a sustainable energy system. As long as EU infrastructure plans remain a patchwork of national priorities, and regulation continues to be implemented in an incomplete and inconsistent way across Europe, progress will be slow, inefficient and difficult. Without real vision, and no attempt to inform and inspire the public, opposition on the ground will persist, allowing unnecessary or damaging projects to continue to come forward.
Our report makes recommendations for everyone involved - for the EU, national governments, industry, regulators and NGOs. By working together we hope to help Europe to deliver the infrastructure we need in harmony with nature, and with public support.
Click to read Connecting Energy, Protecting and do give us some feedback!