Nature Positive Renewables: Aligning Energy Ambition with Biodiversity and people

This vision was at the heart of the thematic session “Nature Positive Renewables: Aligning Climate and Energy Goals”, moderated by Vhalinavho Khavhagali, Country Director for IUCN South Africa, during IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. The panel brought together leaders from across sectors, including Adonai Herrera-Martínez (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), Jiang Hao (China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute), Gauri Singh (International Renewable Energy Agency), Karen Westley (Ipieca), and keynote speaker Marco Lambertini (Nature Positive Initiative) and host Rachel Asante-Owusu, Senior Programme Coordinator for Energy Transition at IUCN.

Defining a Nature Positive Energy Transition

Panelists converged on a shared ambition: expanding renewable energy without eroding ecosystems or marginalising communities. For keynote speaker Marco Lambertini, “nature positive” means going beyond reducing harm—it means actively regenerating biodiversity. “Nature positive,” he said, “is about pursuing economic development that results in more nature, not less. It’s more ambitious than net zero, because nature can regenerate faster than the climate can recover.”

The conversation underscored how this ambition is being translated into measurable targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted by 196 countries. Applying a stepwise mitigation hierarchy is central to this approach: renewable energy projects must avoid sensitive ecosystems and threatened species wherever possible, mitigate unavoidable impacts through careful planning, and restore and compensate where damage occurs to ensure net gains for biodiversity.

From Ambition to Action: Indicators, Policy, and Finance

Speakers stressed the urgent need for credible, practical indicators to track nature positive outcomes — similar to existing greenhouse gas protocols for climate. This would give governments, developers, and investors the clarity needed to align projects with biodiversity targets.

A major focus was on bridging policy and finance. “Aligning finance for biodiversity is more complex than for climate,” noted Adonai Herrera-Martínez. “We need clear guidance, blended finance, and safeguards to make nature positive projects financially viable.”

Panelists highlighted transmission infrastructure as a critical bottleneck: while solar and wind investments are increasing, underinvestment in smart grids could slow the transition.

People at the Centre

Cross-sector collaboration and stakeholder engagement emerged as key themes. Jiang Hao shared a hydropower case in China where community input and scientific research led to halting a project to protect rare species. “Without listening to communities,” he noted, “the energy transition cannot be sustainable.”

Karen Westley showcased Shell’s efforts to integrate biodiversity into operations — from methane reductions to Indigenous-led restoration projects — highlighting how corporate actors can be part of the solution.

Speakers also addressed regional disparities: projects in Africa face longer timelines and higher costs due to regulatory hurdles, while ministries of environment often remain side-lined. Participants called for breaking down silos between energy, environment, and finance ministries to improve coordination and reduce costs.

Dialogue, Innovation, and Enabling Environments

The conversation underscored the need to mainstream nature positive narratives in energy policy and project planning. This requires ongoing dialogue between governments, investors, communities, and technical experts — through platforms, forums, and assemblies.

Innovation — including AI and advanced monitoring technologies — was identified as a key enabler for better biodiversity measurement, while policy levers like procurement and traceability can help create market demand for nature positive solutions.

As Gauri Singh concluded: “The energy transition is the most important transformation humanity is living through today. We must make sure it doesn’t come at the expense of biodiversity and resilience.”

Next Steps: From Dialogue to Delivery

The session concluded with a strong call for collective action. Participants underscored the need to develop and launch clear guidance for the investment community on integrating biodiversity into renewable energy development, expected in 2026. Strengthened cross-sector policy dialogues will be crucial to bridge gaps between ministries and agencies, while global platforms will continue to share lessons and best practices to accelerate progress.

The message was clear: a nature positive energy transition is not just an aspiration. It is a necessity for a resilient and equitable future. Achieving it will require innovation, political will, investment, and above all, collaboration across every sector of society.