Renewables Grid Initiative, TB Raab, and Elia warmly invite you to Brussels on 15 – 17 October for “Wingspan 2024 – Partnerships for a Bird-friendly energy transition.” This event will be the first in a series of biennial conferences for conservationists, scientists, grid operators, renewable developers, and government representatives to share strategies and solutions for a nature-positive energy transition. Topics designed for an international audience will cover recent scientific knowledge, state-of-the-art conservation strategies, and nature-inclusive technological innovations. 

The urgency of scaling up the deployment of renewable energy and grid infrastructure to deliver green, decarbonised energy to consumers cannot be overstated. However poorly planned and designed energy infrastructure can have a negative impact on biodiversity., with avian species particularly impacted. Moreover, international initiatives like the CMS Energy Task Force and agreements such as the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds emphasize integrating migratory species conservation into the energy sector and implementing protective measures. Furthermore, the success of the energy transition relies on effective prevention and mitigation measures of the environmental impacts, aligning with global commitments taken at COP28. 

In this context, from 15 – 17 October, Wingspan 2024 will demonstrate that collaborative efforts among environmental organisations, the renewables industry, and grid operators can safeguard vulnerable avian species from potential impacts.  

Sign up for Wingspan 2024 today to get access to two full days (15 – 16 October) of expert presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions and networking opportunities. For those wishing to fly further, we are offering several optional side activities with limited capacity – sign up early to secure your place: 

• Evening networking dinner (14 October) for participants to get to know each other and engage with the conference topics in a relaxed and informal setting. 
• Workshop (16 October) for grid operators and civil society to discuss advocacy principles for a bird-friendly electricity grid in Europe, endorsed by the conservation community. 
• Field trip (17 October) to a Belgian site where industry and civil society collaboratively implement best practices in bird protection.
  

Fill out this form to register for Wingspan 2024 and show your interest in any of these optional activities. Space is limited, so sign up today!  

Wingspan 2024 is organised within the framework of the SafeLines4Birds, LIFE EUROKITE, and LIFE Great Bustard projects. 

For questions, please get in touch with Manon Quetstroey at manon@renewables-grid.eu.

Call for Abstracts

Wingspan 2024 offers the opportunity for anyone working on the topic of bird protection alongside electricity and renewable energy infrastructure to present their work to a wider audience. This is a great opportunity to share successes, challenges and receive expert feedback. 

Therefore, members of civil society, renewables energy or grid experts, scientists and conservationists are welcome to submit an abstract to present their research, projects or innovations in bird protection along electricity and renewables infrastructure. The programme will include two types of presentations: posters and oral presentations. All inputs will be delivered in English. 

We invite those interested in presenting their work to submit their English-language, 400-word abstract to Hannah Böing at hannah.boeing@tbraab.at with the subject “Wingspan Abstract Submission – [Your Name].” Kindly specify whether your abstract is for an oral presentation or a poster. 

We welcome your abstract until 28 June 2024. Successful applicants will be notified shortly after.