News 31 Mar, 2026

Strengthening cooperation on biodiversity safeguards in the energy transition

Campo Grande, Brazil, 26 March 2026 – On the margins of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15), the IUCN delegation, led by Gabriel Quijandría, Regional Director for South America, convened a bilateral meeting with officials from China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and experts from the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute (CREEI).

Bringing together technical and policy expertise, the discussion focused on strengthening cooperation to ensure that China’s rapidly expanding renewable energy transition is aligned with biodiversity conservation objectives.

Photo: IUCN

Advancing environmental safeguards in policy and practice

Participants highlighted the central role of environmental impact assessment (EIA) within China’s evolving legal and policy framework, including its integration into an upcoming Ecological and Environmental Code. The discussion underscored the importance of moving beyond project-level assessments to better address ecosystem-wide impacts, particularly in the context of large-scale renewable energy deployment.

Across wind, solar, hydropower and grid infrastructure, both sides emphasised the need to avoid critical habitats, maintain ecological connectivity and apply the full mitigation hierarchy—including restoration and compensation measures where impacts cannot be avoided.

Sharing global experience and technical expertise

IUCN experts shared insights from global work on ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, as well as biodiversity-sensitive spatial planning approaches that support more sustainable energy development. The exchange also highlighted practical tools, standards and case studies developed in collaboration with international partners such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Ipieca.

Representatives from China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and CREEI expressed strong interest in further technical guidance, particularly on strengthening EIA standards—including for project decommissioning—as well as accessing expertise on species and habitat conservation.

Towards continued collaboration

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintain dialogue and explore concrete follow-up actions. These include opportunities for peer-to-peer exchange, technical collaboration and the co-development of approaches to support a more biodiversity-compatible energy transition.

As renewable energy deployment accelerates globally, the discussion reinforced the importance of international cooperation to ensure that climate solutions also deliver for nature.

The bilateral meeting built on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CREEI and IUCN at the 15th IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi in January 2025 and the launch of a joint report by IUCN, CREEI and IRENA on how photovoltaics can support nature-positive energy transitions at the 16th IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi in January 2026.

Learn more about IUCN's work on the energy transition.