Birds and Clean Energy

100

Gigawatts of renewable energy generation and transmission responsibly sited by 2028

~75

Million homes powered by 100 GW

~340

Million people provided with power from 100 GW

Transitioning to clean energy reduces pollution, slows the rise in global temperatures, and provides the pathway to a more sustainable future. This is crucial for frontline communities and the hundreds of bird species that face devastating range loss and extinction due to climate change. That’s why Audubon supports utility-scale clean energy and transmission development.

Projects must be sited and operated with birds and people in mind. Thankfully, there are well-tested solutions informed by science that can be implemented to alleviate risks. Audubon works with clean energy developers, local communities, federal and state agencies, and conservation partners to ensure the least impact on bird habitat and migration routes.

The climate threat facing birds is urgent. To achieve a future where both people and wildlife thrive, we need to rapidly build out photovoltaic (PV) solar and onshore and offshore wind infrastructure – as well as transmission lines to bring that power to the people who need it. By advocating for responsible and community-centered planning, we can protect birds from the worst impacts of climate change while preserving the places we all need.

Facts About Clean Energy and Birds

Biodiversity is rapidly declining, and climate change threatens two-thirds of North American bird species with extinction. To tackle climate change, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions or “decarbonize” by quickly and responsibly deploying clean energy and modernizing the transmission grid to move energy from high renewable-resource areas to population centers. 

Like all infrastructure, wind turbines can pose some risk to some bird species, but there are proven strategies to address these risks. Audubon recommends planning processes that include identifying and avoiding critical areas for birds, implementing technologies that reduce the risk of collisions and other impacts, offsetting unavoidable impacts when necessary, and monitoring before and after construction.

Audubon is committed to addressing the climate crisis while advocating for birds. With a long history of conservation science, we have worked for over a decade with developers and decision-makers to influence clean energy siting and operation based on the best available science and mapping technology. Many projects in the U.S. have been sited to avoid areas that may have higher bird abundance, and developers are implementing monitoring and adaptive management in operations to better understand risks and solutions.

What We're Doing

1

Engaging on the responsible expansion of renewable energy.

Staff advocate for policies, planning, and projects that effectively avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts on birds.

2

Calling for the rapid deployment of well-sited transmission.

To power a clean energy future, we need to scale up transmission capacity while implementing bird-friendly solutions outlined in our Birds and Transmission report.

3

Weighing in on enforcement of federal laws and permitting policies for bird species protected by them.

Improvements to clean energy permitting would strengthen bird protections under the Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Piping Plover. Photo: Cole Parks/Audubon Photography Awards

News Climate

Birds and Offshore Wind Report

Audubon's January 2025 report highlights the latest research and outlines science-based path to environmentally responsible development in a changing climate.

Learn More

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Non-breeding adult. Photo: Lorraine Minns/Audubon Photography Awards

Piping Plover

Plovers

Great Egrets fly near transmission lines. Photo: Camilla Cerea/Audubon

Birds and Transmission: Building the Grid Birds Need

Audubon’s 2023 report lays out the need for faster transmission deployment, as well as responsible siting and operation, and shares the latest science on minimizing impacts through bird-friendly solutions.

Learn more