Predicted wind and solar energy expansion has minimal overlap with multiple conservation priorities across global regions.

ABSTRACT: Protected areas and renewable energy generation are critical tools to combat biodiversity loss and climate change, respectively. Over the coming decades, expansion of the protected area network to meet conservation objectives will be occurring alongside rapid deployment of renewable energy infrastructure to meet climate targets, driving potential conflict for a finite land resource. Renewable energy infrastructure can have negative effects on wildlife, and co-occurrence may mean emissions targets are met at the expense of conservation objectives. Here, we assess current and projected overlaps of wind and solar photovoltaic installations and important conservation areas across nine global regions using spatially explicit wind and solar data and methods for predicting future renewable expans

SUBMITTER: Dunnett S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8832964 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature