NEW YORK (January 8, 2025) — The National Audubon Society today released Birds and Offshore Wind: Developing the Offshore Wind that Birds Need, a report that makes the case for responsibly sited offshore wind development that addresses potential risks to birds based on the best available science. The report shares clear strategies and policy recommendations for balancing clean energy demand with conservation in order to combat climate change while protecting birds and their habitats.
“Our goal is always to protect birds and the places they need, and right now many species face population-level impacts from climate change and biodiversity loss,” said Garry George, Senior Director for Climate Strategy at the National Audubon Society. “To help ensure a future where birds and people can thrive, we must accelerate offshore wind development while effectively addressing any unintended risks to birds and their habitats. With clear strategies and policy recommendations, this report shows how wildlife conservation and offshore wind energy development can go hand in hand.”
Birds face unprecedented challenges from climate impacts. Audubon’s 2019 Survival by Degrees report found that two-thirds of North American bird species will be at risk of extinction unless we slow global temperature rise. Transitioning to clean energy is the fastest and most effective way to do this. Offshore wind is an important and necessary energy source in meeting demand and transitioning away from carbon-intensive fuels. It also offers multiple advantages over land-based wind or other clean energy sources, including higher wind speeds that generate more electricity over longer periods.
With a long history of advocating for seabirds, shorebirds, and other migratory birds and over a decade of experience influencing clean energy siting, Audubon has shown how development can progress while prioritizing wildlife habitat and providing community benefits. Following almost a year of research, this report outlines potential impacts of offshore wind development on birds and their habitats and provides decision makers and developers with effective strategies to address them—such as planning projects away from critical bird habitat and implementing measures to reduce collision risks. Federal offshore wind projects currently under development or construction in the U.S. were sited to avoid areas that may have higher bird abundance, and developers are monitoring to better understand risks.
Audubon calls for advancing offshore wind energy using a four-step process: remove critically important bird habitat from consideration, implement known minimization measures and research new ones, offset unavoidable impacts when necessary, and conduct monitoring before and after construction. Additionally, the report provides an overview of the offshore wind permitting process; calls for policies that prioritize wildlife protection and community benefits; highlights examples of Audubon’s work ensuring that offshore wind development avoids, minimizes, and offsets impacts on birds; and emphasizes the importance of early and ongoing engagement with local communities and Tribes throughout development.
“Offshore wind should be a significant part of the equation for solving climate change, which if left unchecked will be an enormous extinction threat for birds and wildlife around the world,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “The Audubon Society’s report provides smart, responsible recommendations – including some from my COLLABORATE Act – to balance efficient offshore wind development with the protection of birds.”
“Offshore wind is an essential clean energy technology, but it must be developed in a responsible manner that protects wildlife, fish, and our precious ocean and coastal ecosystems. This report identifies numerous actions that Congress and Federal agencies can take to achieve this goal,” said Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). “I am grateful to the National Audubon Society for this report and their commitment to protecting birds and their habitats while ushering in a clean energy future.”
“Ørsted applauds Audubon for recognizing the importance of a rapid and responsible buildout of offshore wind in the United States. As this new American industry continues to expand domestic energy production, we’re proud that we already embrace many of the research, monitoring, and mitigation best practices called for in the report,” said Ariana Spawn, Regulatory Affairs Lead for Environment at Ørsted. “We look forward to continuing to work with federal and state regulators, environmental organizations, fishing industry partners, coastal communities, and Tribes to expand local clean energy production while investing in jobs and economic development.”
“Climate change poses the single greatest threat to the survival of wildlife, ecosystems, and human communities. We know we must prioritize energy solutions that reduce carbon emissions if we want to live on a healthy planet,” said John Racanelli, president & CEO of the National Aquarium. “Offshore wind energy that uses the best available science and prevents or mitigates impacts to birds and other wildlife is a crucial element in our race to slow rising global temperatures through a renewable energy portfolio. The National Aquarium is committed to increasing public understanding of the opportunities, challenges and benefits inherent in responsible offshore wind development.”
Birds and Offshore Wind builds on Audubon’s 2023 Birds and Transmission report, which outlines the urgent need for additional transmission capacity and shares solutions for minimizing risks to birds. The full report is available on Audubon’s website.
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About Audubon
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
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