IUCN Global Climate Change and Energy Transition Team

The need to transition to a lower carbon, naturesafe renewable energy-based economy is more urgent than ever. This report provides an  overview of potential opportunities for biodiversity enhancement for wind and solar developments, bringing together information on good  practice principles, case studies from industry practice, and a summary of existing approaches to biodiversity enhancement.

This technical note focuses on spatial planning for wind and solar development with respect to biodiversity. It is intended primarily for government planners responsible for the longterm sustainable roll out and/or expansion of renewable energy and associated infrastructure (e.g. grid infrastructure and facilities such as ports) at regional, national, and sub-national levels.

The key aim of this guidance is to reframe cumulative impact assessment (CIA) to help support biodiversity conservation and the achievement of global biodiversity goals (alongside climate and other societal development goals). This guidance is focused on biodiversity and wind and solar development, and is aimed primarily at government planners and project developers.