[NACS-J] Publication of 2024 Natural Environment Impact Report of Large-scale Onshore Wind Power Generation Project
*NACS-J*
Press release: September 4, 2024
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Publication of 2024 Natural Environment Impact Report of Large-Scale Onshore Wind Power Generation Project
Nature Conservation Society of Japan (Chairman: Tsuchiya)
Toshiyuki (hereinafter referred to as “NACS-J”) has added new data to the onshore wind power generation business analysis report that was independently released in April 2023, and has released the latest detailed analysis of the impact of large-scale wind power generation plans on the natural environment. published a report.
In 2024, the world’s average temperature will reach a record high, and in Japan, the effects of climate change are becoming more serious, with mass coral bleaching confirmed on the Ryukyu Islands. Climate change is an issue that affects all ecosystems and human society, and measures are required worldwide. On the other hand, there are international concerns about the negative impact on biodiversity caused by the rapidly increasing number of renewable energy-related businesses. In recent years, the number and scale of wind power generation business plans in Japan has increased, and more and more plans have raised concerns about the natural and living environments in various regions.
NACS-J has independently conducted a detailed analysis of the environmental impact assessment documents (hereinafter referred to as “Assess Documents”) for 373 onshore wind power generation business plans planned by June 2024, and has determined that the entire project is natural. We conducted location analysis to determine the degree of impact on the environment and compared the consideration status of each business operator.
As a result, it was found that there were changes in business due to the revision of the assessment system, and that there were large differences in consideration for the natural environment and information disclosure depending on the business operator and each business. Based on the results, we created a radar chart that visualizes the state of consideration for the natural environment by major businesses, as well as a ranking of environmental considerations for each individual business, and listed the top 10 businesses that have particularly negative impacts.
*Key results and points*
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An analysis of changes over time in the number of development projects subject to the Environmental Assessment Law revealed that the project with the greatest concern for impact on the natural
environment in recent years was “onshore wind power plants.” We independently analyzed environmental impact assessment documents (assessment documents) for 373 onshore wind power generation projects planned by June 2024. As a result of an analysis of environmental assessment documents, wind power generation projects as a whole are gradually becoming more considerate of the natural environment, but two-thirds of the projects currently under assessment are planned in habitats of endangered birds of prey. etc., are still not enough. Furthermore, the analysis results revealed that there are significant differences in the consideration given to the natural environment by business operators. Only about 14% of the environmental assessment books were made publicly available, and there continued to be challenges in building consensus with stakeholders, which is the primary purpose of environmental assessments.
Please see the link below for report details.
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