The influence of the global electric power system on terrestrial biodiversity

Abstract

Given its total contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the global electric power sector will be required to undergo a fundamental transformation over the next decades to limit anthropogenic climate change to below 2 °C. Implications for biodiversity of projected structural changes in the global electric power sector are rarely considered beyond those explicitly linked to climate change. This study uses a spatially explicit consumption-based accounting framework to examine the impact of demand for electric power on terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity globally. We demonstrate that the biodiversity footprint of the electric power sector is primarily within the territory where final demand for electric power resides, although there are substantial regional differences, with Europe displacing its biodiversity threat along international supply chains. The relationship between size of individual components of the electric power sector and threat to biodiversity indicates that a shift to nonfossil sources, such as solar and wind, could reduce pressures on biodiversity both within the territory where demand for power resides and along international supply chains. However, given the current levels of deployment of nonfossil sources of power, there is considerable uncertainty as to how the impacts of structural changes in the global electric power system will scale. Given the strong territorial link between demand and associated biodiversity impacts, development of strong national governance around the electric power sector represents a clear route to mitigate threats to biodiversity associated with efforts to decarbonize society over the coming century.

Harmonised global datasets of wind and solar farm locations and power

“…Furthermore, there may be significant trade-offs between increasing expansion of renewable energy globally, and efforts to reduce biodiversity decline through protected areas [8][9][10] . Another recent study suggests small-scale deployment of renewables has a lower impact on biodiversity than conventional energy, but the implications of scaling up renewable generation on biodiversity remain unknown 11 . Local-scale studies do show that siting of utility scale solar energy can have significant impacts on soil degradation and water availability 12 ; and wind turbines can have significant effects on market prices 13 .…”

“…As a result, they implicitly assume that the climactic characteristics will be the largest driver of installation placement 4,5,8,9,[14][15][16] . At the global scale, a recent study used human influence as a proxy for where energy generation is occurring 11 . Both approaches are likely insufficient, as two UK-based studies showed that when location data are available, a variety of socioeconomic factors affect the siting of wind turbines and solar PV 17,18 .…”

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

“…While coal and gas can reach power densities as high as 2000 Wm À2 , the most power-dense renewable technology (concentrating solar power [CSP]) peaks at just 10 Wm À2 (10). For this reason, there is increasing concern about the implications of the expansion of renewable energy for the global land system (11). While there has been a substantial focus on the land use implications of bioenergy expansion (12), with one forecast that an area the size of India will be required for energy crop production (13,14), less attention has been given to other forms of renewable energy.…”

Ecological Contradictions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Malaysia

“…Interestingly, these indirect effects can also lead to conflicts within the environmental SDGs, in particular with those associated with the adoption of renewable energy. While there are extremely strong positive, indirect impacts of growth in solar and hydropower on terrestrial biodiversity through the reduction of the impacts of climate, it is important to recognize the direct negative impacts as well (Holland et al, 2019). Large-scale implementation of solar power will require substantial land area that will come at the cost of natural systems or existing agriculture.…”