Camissa, 'place of sweet waters', is the Khoi name for Cape Town
The name and logo pay homage to the Indigenous peoples of this region and represents the deep cultural, social and ecological links between people and nature. This perspective shapes the way I work — recognising that protecting biodiversity isn’t just about species and habitats, but about honouring the relationships between land, life, and livelihoods.
Camissa is owned and run by Jonathan Aronson. I specialize in biodiversity consulting services related to renewable energy. The transition to a carbon neutral society requires a transformation of our energy sector. Yet, wind and solar energy impacts wildlife such as birds and bats which collide with wind turbine blades, and through modification of habitats and ecosystems. Through my work, I support the growth of renewable energy while safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services.
With 15 years of experience advising on renewable energy projects, I specialize in mitigating the impacts of wind and solar power on wildlife. From South Africa and Zambia, to Pakistan and Vietnam, I have collaborated with project developers, research institutions, NGOs, and international development finance institutions.
As a founder of South Africa’s bat and wind energy community of practice, I foster collaboration and innovation in my field. My leadership extends to shaping global wind-wildlife policy by contributing to best-practice guidelines, and conducting independent research on impats to birds and bats to advance wind-wildlife science. I regularly engage with industry forums and conferences, and advise the International Finance Corporation on biodiversity issues in the wind sector.