Renewable energy expansion is a key strategy in reducing fossil fuel dependence and mitigating the impact of climate change. However, a new study highlights a potential conflict between renewable energy siting and the shifting ranges of threatened species due to climate change.

The study, conducted by Uzma Ashraf, Toni Lyn Morelli, Adam B. Smith, and Rebecca R. Hernandez, emphasizes the need to align renewable energy expansion with the changing ranges of species under future climate scenarios. The researchers conducted a systematic literature review and overlaid future renewable energy siting maps with the ranges of two threatened species to underscore the potential conflict.

While renewable energy siting has increasingly focused on minimizing impacts on biodiversity, the study points out that the consideration of species range shifts under climate change has been largely overlooked. This oversight could have significant implications for the conservation of threatened species.

The findings underscore the importance of integrating climate-driven range shifts of species into the planning and decision-making processes for renewable energy siting. By doing so, potential conflicts with biodiversity conservation can be identified and addressed, contributing to more sustainable and environmentally conscious renewable energy development.