Lewis Wind Farm Proposal safeguarding natural capital

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Lewis Wind Farm Proposalsafeguarding natural
capital

• Alan Anderson
• Scottish Wildlife Trust

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Key environmental impacts

• Serious detrimental effect on the integrity of
  Lewis Peatlands SPA
• Significant impact on structure and function of
  peatland habitat
• Loss of Aquila chrysaetos, Gavia artica, Falco
  columbarius, Tringa nebularia and Pulvialis
  apricaria
• 2 global loss of a dunlin (Calidris alpina)
  subspecies
• Significant carbon losses from peat disturbance

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Public opinion

• 9,934 representations received from members of
  the public and NGOs
• 9,861 were objections, only 73 letters of
  support
• 3,314 objected on ecological grounds
• 3,739 objected on tourism impact
• Overwhelming local opposition on cultural
  grounds (loss of a unique community)

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Economics of natural capital

• What price Lewis becoming the wind farm
  island?
• Ecological irreparable damage to world class
  peatland habitat and unique landscape
• Social irreparable damage to a unique and
  fragile crofting communities with possible local
  depopulation
• Economic anything more than a 5 downturn in
  tourism will lead to more job losses than the
  wind farm creates. DTZ consultants estimate net
  loss of FTE jobs over the life of the wind farm

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Take home messages

• Absolute protection of Natura series is the
  foundation stone of EU biodiversity policy
• Natura series the key nodes from which to
  re-build fragmented, damaged ecosystems
• Peatlands are a climate change mitigation tool
• Protecting natural capital not just an
  environmental imperative but also an economic and
  socio-cultural one
• The health, wealth and well being of Europes
  people depends on a healthy natural environment

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