TRANS4BIO – Integrated Energy Transition Across Scales for Climate-Resilient, Nature-Positive Biodiversity Pathways

The energy transition is essential to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change and to transform natural and human systems. However, if not managed carefully, it may also accelerate biodiversity loss and create new environmental and social pressures.

The TRANS4BIO project explores how energy transition policies and investments can be aligned with biodiversity protection and human wellbeing across multiple governance levels.

The research spans diverse contexts, including:

• mineral-rich extraction zones in South Africa,
• offshore wind development in the North Sea,
• urban impacts of the energy transition in European and South African cities,
• global climate and biodiversity governance processes.

Project aim

TRANS4BIO aims to support coordinated efforts to implement the energy transition in ways that generate positive outcomes for both nature and people. The project:

• analyses governance misalignment between climate and biodiversity agendas;
• explores spatial competition between renewable energy infrastructure and biodiversity conservation;
• examines environmental pressures from resource extraction linked to renewable energy systems;
• investigates the role of global supply chains in shaping biodiversity impacts;
• provides policy insights to reduce risks from narrowly focused climate mitigation policies.

SEI Tallinn leads a work package examining local and urban impacts of the energy transition on biodiversity and human wellbeing. Activities include:

• analysing impacts of the energy transition on urban ecosystems;
• assessing biodiversity and wellbeing impacts of Positive Energy Districts;
• conducting research on justice aspects of energy transition and its implications on biodiversity and human wellbeing;
• co-developing mitigation strategies with local stakeholders and policymakers.

Project partners

• Stockholm Environment Institute
• IDOS – German Institute of Development and Sustainability
• University of Pretoria
• University of Western Cape

Funding

The project is funded through the Mobilitas 3.0 Horizon Partnerships programme by the Estonian Research Council and the European Commission.