10 May 2015: World Migratory Bird Day 2015 was celebrated on 9-10 May 2015 in over 80 countries, under the theme ‘Energy – make it bird-friendly!’ The theme highlighted the importance of deploying clean energy technologies in a way that minimizes impacts on migratory birds and their habitats.

“The global challenge is to ensure that the development and deployment of energy infrastructure, crucial to support human development, and of renewable energy technologies, central to the fight against climate change, do not come at the cost of placing already threatened species of migratory birds at greater risk of extinction,” said Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), noted, “It is clear that renewable energy is needed to fight climate change, which affects the survival of all species. But the development of this new technology should not be detrimental to migratory birds and the planet’s biodiversity.” Adding that “energy cannot be truly sustainable and nature-friendly unless it fully takes biodiversity and, more specifically, migratory birds into consideration,” Braulio Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) drew attention to CBD commitments and initiatives of relevance.

Turning off non-essential lights in cities to help birds navigate their annual migration routes and placing power lines underground are examples of measures that make energy safer for migratory birds. These measures should be complemented by effective national legislation, planning guidance and policies that ensure the protection of birds from adverse effects of energy development. If not properly planned, the deployment of wind, bio-energy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and solar energy technologies could have negative impacts on migratory birds because such installations can form barriers to migration and exacerbate habitat loss and degradation.

Events held to mark the occasion included bird festivals, education programmes, birdwatching trips and an international video competition. A benefit opera concert took place in Bonn, Germany, to raise funds for the conservation of the critically endangered Siberian Crane. [World Migratory Bird Day Website][CMS News Release][UNEP News Release][CMS Release on Bird-Safe Energy][CMS Release on Celebrations in Africa][CBD Executive Secretary Message]