2022

Climate change and biodiversity loss have become an existential threat facing our planet, each exacerbating the effects of the other. While there is consensus on the leading causes, mainly human activities including the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation, the solutions are also becoming apparent.

In order to reach the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C, thereby avoiding the most catastrophic effects of climate change, we humans must attain carbon dioxide emissions of net zero by 2050. Reducing CO2 emissions from energy generation will be imperative, even as significant numbers of people across the globe do not yet have access to electricity.

Using renewable energy is one of the most effective and readily available ways of reducing CO2 emissions, while increasing the availability of energy. A combination of renewable energy, mostly from wind and photovoltaic solar with more electrification to substitute fossil fuel use, could deliver three-quarters of the required energy-related emissions reductions. In addition, if we are to include communities that have previously been left behind on this journey to cleaner, greener energy, we will need to construct more transmission and distribution lines. As we move to embrace renewable energy, it is crucial that mistakes from the fossil fuel era are not repeated and that they are mitigated going forward. We must avoid permitting poorly managed expansion of renewable energy generation to cause additional loss of biodiversity and disruption to ecosystem services on which we all depend.

The much-needed transition to renewable energy can be done in a manner that not only avoids harm to biodiversity but also promotes conservation. To achieve this outcome, however, it will require support from all decision makers at every stage of planning and implementation.Within this framework, the need for technical guidelines is clear, both in terms of the identification of elements that make infrastructure dangerous for species and the environment, and in regards to the promotion of best practice to avoid and minimise