Wind turbines and solar panels integrated into an agricultural landscape.

Powering the Future: Can Renewable Energy Goals Be Met on Converted Lands?

Author's portrait.
Lena Voss in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the potential of using already-impacted areas for renewable energy, balancing climate action with conservation."


The global community is committed to tackling climate change, expanding energy access, and protecting biodiversity. The Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demonstrate this commitment, setting ambitious targets for reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy adoption. However, achieving these goals requires careful planning, particularly regarding land use.

Renewable energy projects, while essential for decarbonization, often have a significant land footprint. This can lead to conflicts with the conservation of natural lands, which are vital for biodiversity and carbon storage. It's a delicate balance: expanding renewable energy sources while minimizing environmental impact.

A recent study investigated whether converted lands—areas already impacted by human activities like agriculture and settlements—can meet renewable energy targets derived from the Paris Agreement. This approach could potentially minimize the conflict between energy development and nature conservation, paving the way for more sustainable implementation of global climate goals.

Unlocking Renewable Energy Potential on Converted Lands

Wind turbines and solar panels integrated into an agricultural landscape.

The study converted emission reduction commitments submitted as part of the Paris Agreement into actionable energy targets. Researchers then assessed whether these targets could be met by developing wind, solar, and hydropower on converted lands and waters, which typically have lower biodiversity and carbon value than pristine natural areas.

The findings were promising: the world has 19 times the required energy targets available on converted lands. Most countries, including the top ten emitters, can meet their Paris Agreement goals by focusing renewable energy development on these areas. This approach offers a pathway to achieving climate goals without sacrificing valuable natural ecosystems.

  • Wind Energy: Harnessing wind power on converted lands offers substantial potential for clean energy generation.
  • Solar Power: Utilizing solar technologies on already developed sites can significantly contribute to renewable energy targets.
  • Hydropower: Retrofitting or repurposing existing dams can boost hydropower generation without further disrupting natural river systems.
Furthermore, regions experiencing rapid population growth and limited energy infrastructure, such as Africa, can meet their Paris Agreement and future energy targets by developing renewable energy on already converted lands. This strategy promotes sustainable development by providing energy access to growing populations while minimizing environmental impact.

A Sustainable Path Forward

Guiding renewable energy development to converted lands presents significant opportunities for sustainable development. However, it requires proactive planning and incentives to ensure expansion doesn't exacerbate other environmental challenges.

Targeting subsidies to favor low-impact developments and implementing mitigation requirements for projects impacting natural lands are crucial steps. These measures can steer renewable energy development towards already-impacted areas, reducing the risk to biodiversity and carbon storage.

Failure to prioritize sustainable siting could undermine progress towards achieving the commitments of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. By embracing careful planning and responsible land management, we can unlock the full potential of renewable energy while safeguarding our planet's precious natural resources.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1088/1748-9326/aaf6e0, Alternate LINK

Title: From Paris To Practice: Sustainable Implementation Of Renewable Energy Goals

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Environmental Research Letters

Publisher: IOP Publishing

Authors: S Baruch-Mordo, J M Kiesecker, C M Kennedy, J R Oakleaf, J J Opperman

Published: 2019-02-07

Everything You Need To Know

1

How can renewable energy targets be achieved?

The study demonstrates that by focusing on converted lands, the world can meet its renewable energy targets derived from the Paris Agreement. Utilizing wind, solar, and hydropower on these areas can help decarbonize the energy sector while minimizing the impact on natural ecosystems. This approach is crucial for balancing climate action with conservation efforts.

2

What are the key global commitments related to renewable energy?

The Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global commitments to reduce emissions and increase renewable energy adoption. These agreements set ambitious targets that require careful planning, especially regarding land use. Meeting these targets is crucial for mitigating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future, which the utilization of converted lands can help achieve.

3

What are converted lands, and why are they important?

Converted lands are areas already impacted by human activities, such as agriculture and settlements. The significance of using converted lands lies in the potential to minimize conflicts between renewable energy development and nature conservation. This approach allows the expansion of wind, solar, and hydropower projects without encroaching on valuable natural ecosystems that are vital for biodiversity and carbon storage.

4

What are the key renewable energy sources mentioned?

Wind energy, solar power, and hydropower are key renewable energy sources. The study suggests that these sources can be deployed on converted lands to meet renewable energy targets. Wind energy involves harnessing wind power; solar power utilizes solar technologies; and hydropower can be enhanced through retrofitting or repurposing existing dams. Focusing on these technologies on converted lands allows for sustainable energy solutions.

5

How can regions like Africa benefit from this approach?

Africa, along with other regions, can meet its Paris Agreement and future energy targets by developing renewable energy on converted lands. This strategy provides energy access to growing populations while minimizing environmental impact. This is particularly relevant where there is rapid population growth and limited energy infrastructure, promoting sustainable development. The implications include reduced emissions and the preservation of natural ecosystems.

Newsletter Subscribe

Subscribe to get the latest articles and insights directly in your inbox.