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Motion · S6M-17030 · 31 Mar 2025

New Modelling Tool to Help Protect Wildlife from Offshore Developments

Lodged by Annie Wells Standard Motion 30 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament welcomes the development of a ground-breaking modelling tool by researchers at the University of Glasgow, which enhances the protection of seabirds from the impacts of offshore wind farms; understands that the tool, published in the journal, Methods in Ecology and Evolution, is the first of its kind to accurately predict seabird colony space use without the need for extensive satellite tracking data; notes that the new model demonstrated a 73% accuracy rate, significantly outperforming current assessment methods; believes that the tool has the potential to improve the decision-making process for offshore windfarm developments by reducing the risk of building in areas with high bird density or unnecessarily rejecting projects due to inaccurate data; considers that this innovation could play a key role in balancing the growth of renewable energy with the protection of marine biodiversity, and notes the tool’s applicability in assessing the spatial use of other colonial wildlife such as seals, bats and bees. 

Supporters (30)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.