Deploying renewable energy while protecting biodiversity
Considering our growing energy needs, is the deployment of renewables compatible with our objectives of biodiversity protection?
Deploying renewable energy while protecting biodiversity
Considering our growing energy needs, is the deployment of renewables compatible with our objectives of biodiversity protection?
About the topic
Renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, has become increasingly popular in recent years due to their low carbon footprint. However, it is important to consider the impact of their development on land use and biodiversity. Solar panels and windmills require a significant amount of space, and this can raise concerns regarding their compatibility with biodiversity protection objectives. Data on the average square meter occupied by these renewable energy sources, both onshore and offshore, can give us a clear picture of the scale of land use involved.
Currently, the deployment of solar and wind energy is rapidly increasing globally, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. While renewable energy production contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it can also have negative consequences for local habitats, migration patterns, and biodiversity. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential environmental impacts when deploying renewables and find ways to minimize harm to ecosystems.
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Written by
Alice Pauchard
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The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of YEE.
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In its latest report, the International Energy Agency shows that the geopolitical context since the war in Ukraine has had an unprecedented impact on the energy transition. While a number of changes had already been initiated, such as those concerning renewable energies, the war in Ukraine seems to have accelerated them. In addition, European sanctions have massively reduced Russian gas imports into Europe. Under European sanctions, Russia reduced the flow of its gas pipelines to the EU by around 80%, prompting European states to find alternatives in a short space of time. This episode was an opportunity for many member states to reflect on their energy policy and, above all, the energy transition.
The war in Ukraine revealed that energy policy is a major power issue. This is illustrated by the expression “war ecology” defined by Pierre Charbonnier. According to him, the war in Ukraine is an opportunity to break a toxic dependence, both in geostrategic terms and in terms of climate policy. Achieving energy sufficiency would kill two birds with one stone, by aligning the imperative of coercing the Russian regime with the imperative of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, “the period 2020-2021 was marked by a radical shift in the balance of competitiveness between renewables and existing fossil fuel and nuclear energy options”. So let’s take a look at how the war in Ukraine has affected the energy transition – has it accelerated or slowed it down?
What responses has the EU put in place?
First of all, there is a desire at the European level to promote the EU’s independence, while also attempting to take account of the climate objectives set out in the European Green Deal.
This is illustrated first and foremost by the introduction of the RePower EU plan. What does this plan consist of? This plan, proposed by the EU a few weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in line with the demands of the 27 member states, aims to massively reduce Russian gas imports, to do without them altogether by 2027. This strategy is based on four pillars: saving energy, replacing Russian fossil fuels with other hydrocarbons, promoting renewable energies and investing in new infrastructures such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.
We can therefore see that the EU Commission, while wishing to reduce member states’ dependence on Russia, also aims to achieve the Green Deal’s climate objectives. The strategic objective is linked to the climate objective. Through this plan, it is proposing to increase the EU’s renewable energy target from 40% to a minimum of 42.5% by 2030. To reach this objective, at the end of the year, the EU adopted a regulation aimed at speeding up the procedure for granting construction permits for renewable energy projects.
Through the RePower EU plan, the EU has also decided to bet on hydrogen, setting a target of 10 million tonnes of domestic production of renewable hydrogen and a similar figure for imports by 2030. The creation of a European Hydrogen Bank is also planned, with the task of investing 3 billion Euros to develop this market on the continent, as announced by Ursula Von Der Leyen during her State of the Union address last September.
Are there any concrete examples of the successful implementation of this plan?
Yes, especially when it comes to the development of renewable energies. After the war, the use of renewable energies rose sharply. Between 2022 and 2023, European renewable energies increased by 57.3 GW. This figure is set to rise further, given that the RED III directive, the result of the RePower EU plan, calls for doubling the share of renewable energies in European energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. This increase in investment in renewable energies has helped bring prices down. However, their role in heating, and especially in transport, is still limited, although growing.
It’s worth noting that this increase in investment in renewable energies has not been confined to Europe alone, as it is China that has increased its renewable energy production capacity the most (+ 141GW)
What initiatives have been put in place at national levels?
Many member states have also taken steps to reduce their dependence on Russian gas imports. In 2022, for example, Lithuania declared its autonomy from the gas pipeline linking it to Russia, thanks to its LNG terminal and links with its neighbours. Shortly afterwards, Poland was able to put the suspension of Gazprom supplies into perspective, thanks to its LNG terminal and cross-border gas pipelines. Co-financed by the EU, the various cross-border gas pipelines have proved invaluable in times of crisis, embodying the principle of solidarity proclaimed in the Treaty of the European Union. In coastal areas, LNG terminals, previously under-utilized, have made it possible to diversify supplies, even if technical constraints remain between certain member states.
States have also sought to find other countries that can provide them with energy. So there has been a revival of confidence in nuclear power throughout the EU. Italy and Germany have also sought to establish or renew bilateral partnerships. However, the diversity of national energy mixes and the differing levels of vulnerability between member states could well lead to a situation where each country is left to its own devices.
Finally, the war in Ukraine was also an opportunity for many states to review their position on nuclear energy, as was the case with Germany.
Can the EU afford the energy ambitions proposed in its RePower EU plan?
The plan will cost 210 billion euros, and major investments are needed. That’s why InvestEU, the EU’s flagship investment program, was created. Its original aim was to finance a green and digital revival, but with the crisis in Ukraine, the plan is now part of Europe’s drive for emancipation from Russian oil and gas. At present, the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels costs 100 billion euros a year. To free itself from this, an investment of 210 billion euros is required by 2027. However, the EU has already far exceeded 210 billion euros: the 27 countries have spent a combined total of 314 billion euros, bringing the EU’s bill to almost 450 billion euros.
Will Europe emerge stronger from the energy crisis?
While the oil shocks saw European states reacting in a scattered fashion (not necessarily contradictorily, incidentally), the gas crisis provoked by Russia has confirmed the timeliness and effectiveness of a European approach. This energy crisis has made European countries realise the strategic importance of energy supply and has been the starting point for in-depth reflection on the importance of ensuring their independence.
- Russia’s war on Ukraine, European energy policy responses & implications for sustainable transformations
- The Ukraine War and the Energy Transition
- How Europe weighs the geopolitical risks of its energy supplies (Euractiv)
- La politique énergétique européenne face à sa première crise
- The impact of the war in Ukraine on the energy sector
- Guerre en Ukraine : bouleversements et défis énergétiques en Europe
- Finance & Development, December 2022: The Scramble for Energy
- Comment la guerre en Ukraine a bouleversé le marché de l’énergie en 4 chiffres clés
- Impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response
- The war in Ukraine is a catalyst for the energy transition (Le Monde)
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Speeding up history in the face of war: How the invasion of Ukraine has shaken up the EU’s energy transition plan
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The YEE Advocacy Working Group is the perfect opportunity to become an influential young leader.
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YEE’s Advocacy Working Group is looking for 8 motivated, passionate volunteers to join the team!
About YEE Advocacy Working Group
The Advocacy Working Group (AWG) is a leadership program intended to equip volunteers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mentorship to effectively advocate for environmental concerns during their tenure with YEE, and beyond. Volunteers are being mentored and engaging in peer-to-peer learning; while supporting the Advocacy Team in shaping YEE’s external advocacy positions.
What will you get:
This volunteer position offers valuable insights into working for a large European network of youth-led environmental NGOs, as well as in-depth knowledge of relevant organisations and institutions.
It also provides access to a network of young green activists and professionals and helps develop transferable skills such as time management, organization, and communication, which can boost your CV.
About Liasion Officers (LOs)
The Liaison Officer is a volunteer position of one year term (January 2024 – January 2025). All liaison volunteers will report to and be supported by the YEE Advocacy staff and the External Relations Officer. While committed to specific and diverse tasks within their thematic portfolios, the volunteer liaison officers would effectively make a team – the Advocacy Working Group – intended to support each other. The average commitment would be between 7-10 hours a week, including meetings every two weeks.
Some of the work tasks expected include strengthening communication and advocacy with our partner organisations as well as creating projects and campaigns of their own.
About Regional Contact Persons (RCPs)
The role of the RCPs is to connect and develop communities of YEE’s member organisations on the regional level and work together to strengthen the connections of young people through YEE.
They act as the point of contact between YEE and the member organisations in their region, hosting meetings for the representatives of the member organisations, and linking them with any relevant projects and opportunities from YEE. They also work to strengthen YEE’s presence in and knowledge of their region, contributing with invaluable information for our expanding network.
Application deadline: 28th January 2024
Volunteering positions available
The Liaison Officers on Biodiversity will work in a small team composed of 2 Liaison Officers and the Biodiversity Manager. The aim of the portfolio is twofold. On the one hand, we aim at building capacity on pressing biodiversity issues through a series of workshops and the publication of easily accessible knowledge materials, potentially in collaboration with our Member Organisations (MOs). On the other hand, the LOs will follow first hand the biodiversity advocacy initiatives we are pursuing together with other youth NGOs, such as GYBN, GCE and EU Young Rewilders, and NGOs we are members of, such as CAN-E.
One of the most important examples of such collaboration is the #restorenature campaign.
The LOs will also be the contact persons for the CoE Bern Convention, YEE is an observer of.
The main tasks will include:
- 🟢 Help our members to engage with our work on biodiversity, through liaising and working on our relationship with MOs and partner organisations (e.g. working on our newsletter and organising collaborative events);
- 🟢 Work on content creation, such as articles and explainers;
- 🟢 Represent YEE at the Bern Convention processes (either online or onsite, pending fundings);
- 🟢 Contribute to the YEE’s biodiversity advocacy strategy, such as through participating on behalf of YEE to legal campaigns and external events.
- 🟢 Follow the opportunities stemming from our membership to IUCN (tbc, pending approval of application).
The primary role of the Liaison Officer on Climate Justice will be to continue and strengthen YEE’s engagement in UNFCCC processes, in which YEE holds observer status, throughout the year. The Liaison Officer will carry out research and gain expertise on selected UNFCCC negotiation items of interest to them (such as Loss & Damage, Finance, Art 6, Action for Climate Empowerment, or others), engage with our MOs and other youth organisations who are active in UNFCCC processes and/or on the topic of climate change (including NEYCA – the Network of European Youth NGOs for Climate Action), and work to build stronger connections with marginalised persons and organisations active in climate advocacy, particularly those based in the so-called Global South. Great part of this collaboration will be undertaken under the project “Global Dialogues for Climate Justice”, YEE is implementing with our partner WAT-GP.
The main tasks will include:
- 🟢 Engaging with our MOs active on climate issues, NEYCA, YOUNGO, CAN-E, and other key partners to strengthen our participation in UNFCCC processes;
- 🟢 Leading joint campaigns and drafting joint position papers in the run-up to UNFCCC processes;
- 🟢 Contributing to the Global Dialogues for Climate Justice project, co-led by YEE and We Are Tomorrow Global Partnership (WAT-GP), which aims at building stronger connections between European and non-European youth with a view to advocating for climate justice at COP29;
- 🟢 Leading strategic outreach to marginalised youth communities and youth organisations based in so-called Global South countries working on climate-related topics.
The Liaison Officer on Intersectionality will help the AWG keep a critical, intersectional perspective in all of its projects as well as to create events and campaigns that concern environmental synergies with gender, class, racial, disability and sexuality questions. This would also involve reaching out to and collaborating with organisations YEE may not yet be linked to that pioneer youth work in these areas. Moreover, the LO could choose to incorporate increased work with European Neighbourhood countries.
Key Themes and Questions for the Intersectionality Liaison Officer:
- How do environmental questions intersect with:
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender and the livelihood of women
- LGBTQ+, the topic of queer ecology
- Disability issues, accessibility and ableism
- Class disparities
- Regional disparities and privilege
The main tasks will include:
- 🟢 Support the project lead of Empowering the Unheard in organising workshops on intersectional justice;
- 🟢 Produce toolkits and other material to disseminate knowledge on intersectionality & climate change;
- 🟢 Assist and work on partnership connections and links to further promote YEE efforts;
- 🟢 Assist in the planning and execution of a social campaign for Empowering the Unheard.
The LOs on Environmental Policy will follow first hand YEE’s external advocacy, at EU and at International level. The portfolio aims at strengthening YEE’s advocacy on UN environmental governance and at empowering young people to understand and have an active role in the EU parliamentary elections 2024.
For the first time, we are recruiting two volunteers, one on EU and one on international affairs: however, their work is complementary and they will work together in a small team.
Environmental Policy – EU Affairs (1 person)
The main tasks will include:
- 🟢 Take over and develop YEE’s advocacy work towards (and beyond) the EU Parliamentary Elections 2024, including
- Strengthen collaborations with the EEB and other key partners
- Develop YEE’s strategy for the upcoming elections
- Coordinate a communication campaign with YEE’s member organisation with 2 main objectives:
- Advertise concrete local actions of the EU “What has the EU done for you?”
- Call upon young people to go and vote on election day
- Organise meetings and/or workshops with key EU representatives and leaders to ensure youth voice is heard
- 🟢 Cover EU parliamentary actions after the election (i.e Appointment of the President of the European Commission, selection of the commissioners, future of the EU Green Deal etc.)
- 🟢 Strengthen collaboration and work with EESC and its youth representative
Environmental Policy – International Affairs (1 person)
The main tasks will include:
- 🟢 Represent YEE in the MGCY;
- 🟢 Ensure strong commitment and participation to UN environmental meetings (e.g. UNEA);
- 🟢 Contribute to the organisation of the RCOY Europe 2024, together with other NGOs YEE is already collaborating with;
- 🟢 Collaborate with the Climate Justice LO to co-represent YEE in the NEYCA on drafting the EU youth NGOs position paper for COP29 and other international fora.
We are looking for three volunteers to join us in the mandate of RCP for the South (currently spanning organisations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Italy, Kosovo, Portugal, Serbia, Spain and Turkey), North (currently spanning organisations from Sweden, Ireland and England) and East (currently spanning organisations in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Czechia, Georgia, Moldova, Poland and Romania) region.
Your tasks will include:
- 🟢 Collaborating closely with the regional team, the Member Organisations Officer and the Member Organisations Coordinator to plan, enhance and implement our regional strategy;
- 🟢 Organising and chairing online regional meetings with member organisations of your area four times a year;
- 🟢 Keeping the Membership Officer informed about the situation in your region on a regular basis;
- 🟢 Contributing to the written Annual Regional Report about the status of your region;
- 🟢 Stimulating and supporting member engagement in YEE activities and projects;
- 🟢 Reaching out to and enhancing collaboration with youth movements in your region.
RCPs specific requirement: live in the region they are applying to become an RCP for (however, nationality doesn’t matter)
Requirements
- have strong written and verbal communication skills and a good level of English
- have basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Drive)
- be available around 7-10 hours per week
- be between 18 and 30 years old
- Be aligned with YEE's core values and mission
- have a strong interest in advocacy and promoting sustainable policy and green goals
- be passionate about helping strengthen the voice of youth in European decision-making
- have a good team spirit and be able to be part of a brand-new team
- be organised and meet deadlines
- be willing to extend your leadership and communications skills
Call for volunteers | AWG
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Are you interested in a campaign to mobilise youth in the NECPs processes?
During the session, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the campaign and how they can get involved. The YEE Environmental Law team will provide an overview of the NECPs processes and explain how young people can participate in them.
About NECPs
NECPs, or National Energy and Climate Plans, are an important part of the EU’s efforts to combat climate change. They set out each member state’s targets and policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency.
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National Energy & Climate Plans | Webinar
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YEE aims to unite environmental youth non-profit organisations in Europe in order to enhance international cooperation, increase knowledge about the climate crisis, raise awareness of environmental problems and to strengthen participation of youth in environmental decision-making.
We are supported by
Supported by the Council of Europe through the European Youth Foundation.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
