RSPB sparks up partnership with Ecotricity

20 March 2013

The RSPB is joining forces with Ecotricity, Britain’s first green energy company, in a new partnership that will help the conservation charity continue its fight to protect wildlife in the face of habitat loss and climate change.

The partnership will also see the RSPB become a more integral part of Ecotricity’s site selection process for renewable energy projects, consulted for their wildlife expertise at a much earlier stage in the process.

The two organisations say the partnership will deepen the link between green energy and nature by focusing on two strands:

• Wildlife Partnership – the RSPB will use their expertise to help Ecotricity create Britain’s first energy and nature projects that will integrate wildlife habitats into wind, wave, solar, and green gas generation projects
• Energy Partnership – Ecotricity will use their expertise to help the RSPB with their ambitious plans for green energy, improved energy efficiency and electric vehicle charging points at wildlife reserve visitor centres

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said: “Protecting wildlife and creating habitats is not just close to our hearts, it is central to what we do.

“We’re already making green energy to cut the carbon emissions that cause climate change, which in turn impacts habitats and wildlife. This partnership takes that one step further, making closer links between nature and green energy.

“This is a long-term strategic partnership that will not only protect wildlife, but develop new habitat creation, and make the RSPB a more integral part of the process of our green energy projects.”

Harry Huyton, RSPB head of energy and climate, said: "Switching to a low carbon economy is one of the defining challenges of our generation. Failure would mean devastation for the world's wildlife - but equally we must ensure that when we develop renewable energy projects we do our best to ensure they do not harm wild species in our countryside.

"That's why the RSPB has committed to working with Ecotricity in a partnership that will unite us behind our common mission of a renewables revolution in harmony with nature"

"We hope that other energy companies will follow suit and put nature conservation at the heart of their businesses too"

Ecotricity recently surpassed 70,000 energy customers and has, on average, invested more per customer in building renewable energy sources than any other energy company in Britain¹.

About Ecotricity

Ecotricity was founded in 1995 as the world’s first green energy company. Now powering over 70,000 homes and businesses from 55 windmills and a solar-farm, Ecotricity is a ‘not-for-dividend’ enterprise that, on average, invests more per customer in building new sources of green electricity than any other energy company in Britain.

About the RSPB

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We are the largest wildlife conservation organisation in Europe with over one million members. Wildlife and the environment face many threats. Our work is focussed on the species and habitats that are in the greatest danger. Our work is driven by the passionate belief that birds and wildlife enrich people's lives. We have more than one million members, over 13,500 volunteers, 1,300 staff, more than 200 nature reserves, 10 regional offices, four country offices... and one vision - to work for a better environment rich in birds and wildlife.

[1] On average, between 2004 and 2012, Ecotricity has spent 66p out of every £1 of customer bills on building new sources of renewable energy in the UK.