The Scottish Wildlife Trust is supporting RSPB Scotland’s legal challenge regarding the decision by Scottish Ministers to approve four offshore windfarms in the Firth of Forth and Tay in 2014.
Our Chief Executive Jonny Hughes said: “In the right locations offshore renewables can play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and help to reduce the impact of climate change on wildlife. However, in this case the scale and cumulative effect of these four developments are likely to have profound impacts on seabird populations and, in our considered view, these clearly outweigh the benefits of the scheme”.
“The most environmentally responsible approach to developing renewable energy is one that delivers a net reduction in carbon emissions while also safeguarding Scotland’s internationally important wildlife.” Jonny Hughes
“It is very concerning that the decision to approve these windfarms was taken against the best scientific advice of the Scottish Government’s own statutory advisers, who predicted a serious adverse impact on internationally important seabird colonies. Collision risk modelling shows that thousands of seabirds including puffins, kittiwakes and guillemots could be killed or displaced every year.
“The Trust supports RSPB Scotland’s legal challenge, and we hope that Scottish Ministers will reconsider their decision and take a more incremental approach to the development of offshore windfarms. This would send the clear message that the most environmentally responsible approach to developing renewable energy is one that delivers a net reduction in carbon emissions while also safeguarding Scotland’s internationally important wildlife.”