Meeting Europe's renewable energy targets in harmony with - RSPB

HOW TO ACHIEVE A EUROPEAN RENEWABLES REVOLUTION IN HARMONY WITH NATURE 101
4.8 GUIDANCE AND
CAPACITY BUILDING
Legislation, regulations and good practices for
biodiversity-friendly renewables development are
not always well-understood by all parties
concerned. Moreover, institutions often lack the
necessary capacity to ensure they are properly
applied, particularly in the newer and less wealthy
EU Member States. Wherever possible BirdLife is
keen to help develop guidance documents and
build capacity in institutions, for example, by
providing training and advice (Box 32).
BOX 32
Good Practice Wind project
RSPB Scotland and the European Wind Energy
Association are among the organisations involved in an
ambitious project called “Good Practice in Wind Energy
Development” (GP Wind) xii . The project aims to promote
the deployment of appropriately located wind energy
development in Europe. Led by the Scottish Government,
and funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme,
GP Wind aims to address barriers to the development of
onshore and offshore wind generation. It will do this by
identifying and developing good practice in two key areas:
community engagement and reconciling renewable
energy with wider environmental objectives. By bringing
together renewables developers (such as ScottishPower
Renewables and Scottish and Southern Energy), regional
and local government, environmental agencies and NGOs
such as the RSPB from eight different regions of Europe to
share experiences, the project aims to facilitate the
deployment of renewable energy in support of the European
2020 targets. The aims of the project are as follows:
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increase the consenting rate for on- and offshore wind
projects, and reduce the processing period for
applications
increase the efficiency of processing applications,
thereby reducing process costs
build evidence-based support for the design, planning
and implementation of projects which are sensitive to
environmental and community concerns
assist quicker, more transparent and less costly
deployment of wind energy across Europe, contributing
to the achievement of 2020 targets for renewable
energy generation
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secure endorsement of project outputs by participating
Partner administrations and commitment to adopt
relevant good practice
secure endorsement of project outputs by other
Member States and commitment to adopt relevant
good practice.
The main outputs of the project will include a good
practice guide and “how to” toolkit, which can be adapted
for use across Europe. Through active engagement with
stakeholders including BirdLife International, the GP Wind
project Partners identified 16 thematic case studies which
cover the key environmental and community engagement
issues. These case studies include; impacts on species
and habitats, carbon accounting, landscape and visual
impacts issues, cumulative impact issues, community
concerns and community benefits, public perception
issues and socio-economic impacts. The case studies will
form the basis of the good practice guide and will highlight
examples of good practice and lessons learned.
The “how to” toolkit will provide specific information,
models and tools which can be adapted for use across
Europe. The project website will include a database of
information, case study reports, good practice and
expertise, and will be maintained beyond the life of the
project. At completion of the project an international
dissemination event and nine regional dissemination
events will be held in order to publicise the findings.