Birds and bats remain one of the most significant environmental challenges facing wind energy development in Australia, with implications for project approvals, operational curtailment and long-term licence to operate. This session will explore how the industry can achieve better biodiversity outcomes while also enabling faster approvals and greater regulatory certainty. It will highlight how smarter data, emerging technology, and earlier engagement can help the Australian wind sector manage wildlife risk with increased confidence and efficiency. 

Presentations will cover the draft Australian collision risk framework designed to standardise how bird and bat collision risks are assessed; early-stage biodiversity considerations that can reduce approval risks and curtailment costs; real-world efficacy data from the IdentiFlight avian anti-collision system across 15 wind farms on three continents; and innovative applications of thermal imaging and AI for bat collision risk assessment.