Birds and Clean Energy

Responsibly sited and operated clean energy will help protect birds from climate change.
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

Audubon’s mission is to protect birds, and two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction unless we cut pollution and slow global temperature rise. Heat waves, increasingly severe storms, and other climate impacts are already affecting birds and communities.

Integrating responsibly sited wind and solar energy as part of an affordable and resilient energy portfolio is essential for bird conservation. We also need to modernize and expand the grid to ensure the reliable delivery of power. All infrastructure can pose a risk to birds, but potential impacts from renewable energy and transmission can be addressed with careful planning informed by science.

There is no path to stabilizing the climate without dramatically changing how we generate electricity. Audubon is playing an influential role in ensuring that this shift happens swiftly and responsibly—for example, by ensuring bird-friendly siting for wind farms that minimizes disruption to migratory pathways and habitats.

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.
Remember that Audubon depends on your support to do the conservation work that we do.
A tern holding a fish in its beak flies down toward another tern standing on driftwood with its beak open.
Responsible Offshore Wind Development is a Clear Win for Birds, the U.S. Economy, and our Climate
January 17, 2025 — Audubon's report shares how offshore wind can be balanced with the needs of communities and wildlife.
Accelerating Responsible Clean Energy Development: Audubon's Efforts in 2024
October 18, 2024 — From warbler research to transmission line placement, Audubon staff worked on planning with birds and people in mind.
Offshore wind is a solvable problem for birds. Climate change status quo is not.
September 30, 2024 — At Climate Week NYC, Audubon collaborated with partners and hosted a panel about responsible offshore wind development.