Nature Positive Pathways for Onshore Wind – Briefing Paper

Client: GoldenBee / CGN Europe Energy

Location: Worldwide

Objective: The rapid expansion of onshore wind is essential to the energy transition, but wind development can also create material biodiversity pressures at project sites and through the wider value chain. CGN Europe Energy (CGNEE) is keen to examine how the onshore wind sector can move beyond conventional impact mitigation and make credible contributions towards the Nature Positive goal. The study is intended primarily for industry managers, project developers and policymakers.

Our role: Sustain Value is researching and writing a Briefing Paper aligned with the IUCN framework on the Nature Positive goal and the mitigation hierarchy. The study is assessing biodiversity impacts and mitigation across three connected levels: direct project-level impacts across the wind farm lifecycle; upstream and downstream value-chain impacts, including materials sourcing, manufacturing, recycling and end-of-life; and genuinely additional conservation actions that go beyond compensation for company impacts. We are synthesising peer-reviewed research and international guidance, developing practical principles for high-integrity action and reviewing global case studies.

Outcome: The project is ongoing. Final 35 page English and French publications will provide a clear, evidence-based framework for distinguishing mitigation, compensation and additional conservation action, supported by practical examples and recommendations for companies, regulators, financiers and other sector stakeholders. The work is intended both to support CGNEE's contribution to sustainability research in the French energy sector and to generate practical insights that can help Chinese and other companies strengthen biodiversity performance more broadly.