Bio-logging data to cut offshore wind risks in Japan

A consortium of Japanese environmental technology firms and researchers launched a joint project on Tuesday to enhance environmental impact assessments for offshore wind power. Think Nature, Biologging Solutions, and Koudou Lab aim to integrate wildlife bio-logging data with biodiversity big data to achieve a balance between decarbonisation and “Nature Positive” outcomes.

The project is advised by Professor Katsufumi Sato of the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute at the University of Tokyo, and addresses a critical bottleneck in Japan’s renewable energy expansion. Traditional environmental impact assessments (EIA) often suffer from limited survey periods and locations, failing to accurately reflect the complex movement patterns and habitats of marine and avian wildlife. By combining individual-level behavioural data from bio-logging with macro-ecological big data, the initiative provides high-resolution visualisations of how renewable energy infrastructure overlaps with sensitive ecosystems.

This data-driven approach allows for a quantitative evaluation of risks, including bird strikes and the cumulative impacts of large-scale developments. The project serves as a scientific foundation for the Japanese government’s Green Transformation (GX) policies and the National Biodiversity Strategy. It provides objective evidence necessary for regional consensus-building and helps developers avoid or mitigate environmental damage during the early planning stages.

The project also targets the financial sector’s growing demand for nature-related risk disclosure. As financial institutions increasingly align with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework, the ability to quantify natural capital risks becomes essential. Large-scale offshore wind projects face potential delays, regulatory tightening, and reputational damage if biodiversity impacts are ignored. The consortium’s model transforms raw biological data into intelligence that supports ESG assessments and sustainable investment decisions.

In its initial phase, the project focuses on mapping spatial overlaps and migration route risks using existing bio-logging records. The group plans to release its findings through white papers rather than solely through academic journals. This strategy aims to lead the formation of international rules and evaluation standards for Nature Positive investments.