Issue Planned siting to reconcile renewable expansion with nature conservation

Summary

The report treats a planned siting system as essential for reconciling renewable expansion with conservation of the natural environment. A siting suitability assessment based on spatial information would evaluate environmental constraints and social acceptance together. A cumulative impact assessment would guide phased development that reflects each region's environmental carrying capacity. Stakeholder councils and conflict mediation mechanisms would build a basis for social agreement. Clustering renewable projects and simplifying licensing procedures are also listed among the measures for realistic expansion. A system that jointly assesses ecological, landscape and noise factors and social acceptance underpins these tools.