Fact Sheet: A Risk-Based Approach for Addressing Wind and Wildlife Interactions using Ecosystem-Based Management Values

In the context of land-based and offshore wind energy development, Risk-Based Management (RBM) examines the potential negative effects on birds, bats, terrestrial wildlife, marine mammals, other marine organisms and the habitats or migratory pathways that support them. RBM has the potential to ensure that wildlife protection measures are focused on the factors that pose the highest risks, while maximizing the production of energy.

The risk-based approach that most closely addresses aspects of the complex ecosystems that make up the landscapes/seascapes of wind energy development is Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). EBM includes effects of human activities as well as environmental and ecological factors, using approaches that embrace holistic methods to include human needs and effects in an integrated view for managing resources sustainably.

The Risk-Based Management Fact Sheet was created to provide a broad summary of the IEA Wind White Paper on A Risk-Based Approach for Addressing Wind and Wildlife Interactions Using Ecosystem-Based Management Values.