THE CONTEXT
Attaining global climate mitigation goals for 2030 and 2050 clearly entails a systemic transition from fossil fuel-dependence to large-scale renewable energy deployment. However, a poorly managed transition could create conflicts between global climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation, and come at high cost to ecosystems. Whilst the twin goals of climate change mitigation (and adaptation) and reversing biodiversity loss are strongly synergistic, their planning in isolation will reduce the effectiveness and momentum of both efforts.

The largest increase in global renewable energy generation by 2030 is expected from wind and solar sources. Bioenergy is expected to maintain a steady increase, mainly to support the heating sector. Hydropower accounted for the largest share of total renewable energy generation in 2020, but its share is expected to decline globally. While different RE technologies have differing impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, they are not mutually replaceable: each has its limitations and cannot cater to all energy sectors. Bioenergy is mainly used for heating and transport fuel, solar PV and wind for electricity, and hydropower for electricity and storage.

RENEWABLES IN EUROPE
Currently wood-based biomass is the main source of renewable energy, supplying 60% of the EU's total renewable energy usage, mostly for the heating and cooling sector. In 2020, wind and hydro-power accounted for the highest share of electricity generated from renewable sources (36% and 33% respectively) whilst the rest comes from solar power (14%), solid biofuels (8%) and other sources (8%). Solar power provided only 1% in 2008, and is the fastest-growing energy source in the EU. The new solar strategy and REPowerEU plan entail doubling annual solar energy generation by 2025 and quadrupling it by 2030 (compared to 2020 levels). Wind energy is expected to continue to contribute the largest share of renewable electricity generation and a larger share of total electricity generation, as renewables could provide 50% of total electricity generation by 2030. Hydropower is also expected to continue to play a significant role due to its flexibility and storage potential. Offshore renewable energy, from sources such as wind, wave and tidal, is a potential cornerstone of the clean energy transition in the EU. Developing the full potential of Europe’s offshore wind energy is among the EGD's main energy-related objectives.

The below sections describe in detail the challenges posed for biodiversity and ecosystems by specific elements of renewable energy expansion. Click on section titles to access pages:

Bioenergy
This section is devoted to the challenges for biodiversity and ecosystems posed by bioenergy production and expansion, as well as the EU policies addressing these issues.

Solar photovoltaic, wind, hydropower and other renewable energy sources
This section is devoted to the challenges for biodiversity and ecosystems posed by the expansion of installations for renewable energy production from solar PV, wind, hydropower and other sources, as well as the EU policies addressing these issues.

Batteries and mining
This section is devoted to the challenges for biodiversity and ecosystems posed by the envisaged increase in production of batteries for storing renewable energy, as well as the EU policies addressing these issues.