The protection of landscape in the energy transition, a possible challenge. How to combine growth of renewables and protection of natural and cultural heritage?

Renewables are a key resource for the energy transition, but their growth can impact on landscape. Without investment in decarbonization, however, climate change puts our natural and cultural heritage at risk. It is therefore necessary to find solutions that allow us to reconcile energy production with landscape protection, preserving the beauty and biodiversity of the territories as well as their cultural heritage.
The Italian Energy and Climate Plan predicts that electricity from renewable sources will grow from around 40% to almost 70% by 2030. At the same time, energy efficiency is a key element in reducing its needs.
Territorial planning is strategic for reconciling power generation with the environmental protection, while at the same time ensuring administrations may issue authorizations in a short time to meet the 2030 objectives.
Communities must play an active role in promoting clean energy and therefore it is important that they are involved in decision-making processes and enjoy the environmental and economic benefits brought by the energy infrastructures they host. Their distribution across the territory, for technical-economic reasons, is not uniform and for fairness, measures must be envisaged that increase the acceptability of renewables.
While the local context will be at the heart of the discussion, with European experts we will also contextualise it in the broader EU scenario, so understanding the global challenges and its impacts on local implementation.
Through the sharing of knowledge and the inspiration drawn from positive cases, including examples of energy infrastructures used to enhance biodiversity, the conference aims to promote a sustainable and harmonious energy future in EU, in which RES become an integrated resource in the territories, respectful of the environment and the communities that host them.

Programme

The impact of renewable sources on the Italian landscape, The findings of a study with the European Climate Foundation
Alessandro Marangoni, Althesys
Francesco Marghella, Althesys

An energy transition that respects landscape and biodiversity
Andrea Vettori, Head of Unit Nature Conservation Directorate, General Environment, European Commission                                                                           

Rules and infrastructures                                                                  

Chairman:
Alessandro Marangoni, Althesys

Antonella Battaglini, CEO Renewables Grid Initiative
Federico Boschi, Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security *
Massimiliano Atelli, President VIA Commission
Lionel Coquelet, Team Manager at Ecofirst.eu          

The role of communities and associations                      

Chairman:
Giulio Meneghello, QualEnergia

Mariagrazia Midulla, WWF, Head Climate& Energy
Agostino Re Rebaudengo, President Elettricità Futura
Costanza Pratesi, Head Landscape and Heritage FAI
Simone Togni, President ANEV

Q&A

* Speaker invited to be confirmed