On December 18, 2021, the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation  Nature Conservation Working Group for Wind Photovoltaic Projects organized an expert seminar to focus on topics such as new energy development and construction, biodiversity conservation, “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” goals, and how to effectively promote climate change response and protect biodiversity in the era of ecological civilization under the guidance of the "dual carbon" goal. The following is the speech of Mr. Tao Siming, organized and shared as follows.

CBCGDF pays attention to the biodiversity conservation of the Wind Photovoltaic Projects, which is of practical significance. I got the concerns about the ecological safety of the country’s construction of a new batch of large-scale wind photovoltaic projects from the speech of the moderator and secretary-general. They also shared the case introductions and opinions of several experts. which makes me feel the necessity and urgency to strengthen the control and reduction of the ecological impact of the wind and solar power projects.

Wind power and photovoltrics are products of the green revolution in energy, representing development and progress. They have freed us from a single dependence on coal power and enabled us to achieve multi-energy complementarity. As long as there is air and sun, there is wind and light. It can be said that wind power and photoelectric power are really built on the basis of inexhaustible and inexhaustible resources. In particular, compared with coal power, they basically emit no pollutants, which is good for environmental protection and is a clean and sustainable energy encouraged by the state. However, environmental problems are not only pollution control, but also ecological protection, we should not only see the clean side of the scenery electricity, but also can not ignore its ecological cost, there are many problems in this area.

For example, a wind farm covers an area of dozens of square kilometers, forming a huge windmill array, affecting the surface ecology and extending to the air, posing a great threat to bird migration and flight, and changing the natural landscape. Some people report that it destroys the wind channel and leads to haze. Photovoltaic power station is winning by area, from the news reports in some places starts from paved the photovoltaic panels, if the background is barren hills nature, also is the disappearance of the hills and green, even in the photovoltaic power station on the desert gobi have effects of wildlife passage, there are reports that fish light complementary power plant compressed birds habitat, if the wind farm building photovoltaic power station to form a complete set, From the air to the ground and underground, there is no place for biodiversity.

However, thanks to technological advances, cost reductions and subsidies, the "three Gorges on land" here and "three Gorges on sea" there are bright, and the peak carbon and carbon neutral "dual carbon" goal has made it even more popular. According to reports, Although China's photovoltaic power started late, but rapid development, large volume, both have ranked first in the world. By the end of this year, the installed capacity of wind power has reached 300 million kw, and the installed capacity of photovoltaic power stations is close to 300 million kW. However, the river section of hydropower development has almost been developed, and the installed capacity is less than 400 million kW. From hydropower, we can imagine the scale of wind power and its ecological impact, which should not be taken lightly.

The important spirits of the Central Economic Work Conference, such as "respecting the ecology", "saving priority", and "promoting the optimal combination of coal and new energy", provide us with a pragmatic understanding of the relative cleanliness of various power sources, scientific comparison of the ecological effects of various power sources, and striving for a comprehensive environment. It is possible to develop wind photovoltaic projects in the direction of minimizing the impact. This is also a rare opportunity. If it is seized, it is possible to reduce its biodiversity impact. The Green Hair Association can do a lot in this regard.

First of all, to promote the change of concept. Sustainable economic and social development and a happy and happy life for the people require not only constant blue skies and fresh air, but also clear waters, green mountains and joy. The whole society especially industry, protect the community concept and the overall ecological view to life, objectively, the development, comprehensively, systematically and generally linked to environmental problems, see all kinds of power to overcome than the rest, a point underscored by a well with all the disadvantages of thinking mode, less in scenery electrical discharge pollutants strengths, conceal its footprint, coercion, destroy ecological shortcomings, We should look at both its strengths and weaknesses, and make positive development go hand in hand with restraint. Only when there are no major ecological risks can its strengths be sustained. If some experts talk about the problem of natural landscape, however, the propaganda of photovoltaics is often the positioning of beautiful landscape lines. How to scientifically understand and promote the transformation requires hard work.

Second, stricter management should be promoted. Departments in scenery electricity environment management has carried out a lot of work to clear land for construction purposes, environmental impact assessment technical specification, implement project for examination and approval of environment management, to investigate and punish the illegal items, etc., but in dealing with the clean energy strong momentum of development and the actual ecological impact, there may be many imperfect or the lack of enough. For example, the site selection mainly involves the requirements of natural protected areas, forest land and grassland, and does not involve wetlands, natural barren hills and deserts. The natural protected areas also depend on the specific situation of biodiversity, and some surrounding areas need to be considered together. In terms of environmental protection measures, taking wind power as an example, birds can avoid wind farms by themselves, and red wind motor blades can warn birds, etc., which is just wishful thinking of people and may not be effective. After evaluation, it is necessary to collect some typical cases of the impact of the wind turbine ecological system for systematic analysis, and put forward suitable for reducing the impact of the wind turbine ecological construction red line area and environmental protection measures, for the reference of relevant departments to improve management.

Third, seize every possible opportunity to constantly seek new breakthroughs. CBCGDF will carry out my state "on further strengthening the views of the biodiversity protection" spirit, the relevant departments to deploy large electricity base project files, from the perspective of ecological environment vulnerable regional ecological security view Suggestions, this is good, is advantageous to the relevant departments of the comprehensive decision-making, believe that will play a role. Recently, the authorities also upgrade the wind farm and retired management regulations (draft) "for public opinion, this is also a public participation opportunity, hope the management measures can, according to the principle of" ecological priority ", to does not conform to the stipulations of the natural ecological protection or actual sound ecology, landscape and environmental impact large wind farms, to encourage enterprises to priority for retired, The competent authorities that have not applied for decommissioning shall strengthen their guidance and require improvement or mandatory decommissioning regulations.

Environmental problems arise in the course of economic and social development, and the needs and constraints of people's practical interests make them just like diseases come and go. Environmental protection is always on the way, and requires the concerted efforts of all parties and all of us.

Thank you very much!

Original Chinese article: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/cRSTwEYaCoVD5WchNjI1-g?st

Translator/Lucy

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