A groundbreaking report that maps where renewable energy projects can be built without destroying nature shows good siting is key to speeding up Australia's clean energy transition.
The Mapping Renewables for Nature report is a collaboration between the Australian Conservation Foundation and researchers from the University of Melbourne.
The report, which is the first of its kind, identifies areas where renewable energy projects can be developed with minimal impact on Australia's threatened wildlife and ecosystems.
It follows Monday's dire warnings in Australia's first climate risk assessment report, which ACF says highlights the urgent need for strong 2035 targets, turning off fossil fuels and turning on renewables.
The ACF report shows where and how Australia can build renewables for people and nature, and builds on earlier work by the conservation group.
"Siting renewable energy in low biodiversity areas would see huge cost savings," said Dr Paul Sinclair, acting CEO at the Australian Conservation Foundation.
"With faster planning approvals and stronger community support, this would boost productivity, grow jobs and speed up the shift to a clean, affordable, renewable future," Dr Sinclair said.
"Smart mapping, strong nature laws and integrated planning are essential to an energy future that works for people and nature," he said.
University of Melbourne's Professor Brendan Wintle, whose team led the mapping, said the report shows Australia can reach net zero by 2050 without damaging nature.
"We're in an extinction crisis and this report shows we don't need to lose any more biodiversity as part of the much needed renewable energy transition. The good news is there are plenty of already cleared areas where there's plenty of sun and wind," Professor Wintle said.
"If we can avoid building energy projects and transmission lines on 30% of the highest biodiversity value land, we can protect 70 to 90% of the habitat of our most endangered animals and plants," Prof Wintle said.
"We need strong leadership and resourcing from government to carefully plan the location of renewable energy projects and transmission lines to avoid damaging high biodiversity value areas," he said.
The ACF report examines three case studies: Gippsland in Victoria; Central West Orana in NSW and the Banana Shire in Central Queensland; mapping where renewables can be built with minimal impact on Australia's threatened plants and animals.
Key findings: • We can protect threatened species and still have an abundance of land where renewables can deliver clean, affordable energy and a huge economic boost to regional Australians. • By avoiding 30% of land with the highest biodiversity, up to 90% of the habitat for threatened plant and animal species can be safeguarded. [
