BirdLife Video on Sensitivity Mapping: Accelerating offshore wind expansion and protecting nature

It is vital to pursue the protection and restoration of our seas hand in hand with, and with equal ambition to the expansion of offshore renewables in our efforts to fight the nature and climate crisis. To address this, BirdLife Europe & Central Asia has produced a new short video showcasing how sensitivity maps are a powerful tool for protecting nature whilst facilitating the necessary rapid transition to renewable energy to reduce global emissions. 

With sensitivity maps, Member States can achieve strategic spatial planning of offshore wind development. Whilst not replacing site-specific assessments of environmental impacts, sensitivity maps can dramatically reduce conflicts with nature by identifying areas where the negative impacts of offshore wind farms and grid infrastructure will be higher or lower. Having this information allows the selection of locations for development that minimize harm to nature thereby reducing uncertainty, saving time and eventually costs for developers. Sensitivity maps can help to speed up existing planning processes, inform and corroborate environmental impact assessments once locations are selected for development, and avoid conflicts between stakeholders, which can lead to significant delays. 

BirdLife, together with its Italian and Polish Partners LIPU and OTOP, are currently developing onshore and offshore sensitivity maps to inform the strategic spatial planning of wind energy development in these countries.

This video was produced with support from the Renewables Grid Initiative and The North Sea Foundation and financial support of the VELUX FOUNDATIONS and European Commission.

Learn more on BirdLife's website

Check out RGI's video on offshore wind energy infrastructure and biodiversity