Deploying Renewables: Trends, Overlaps and Impacts

The transition to renewable energy plays an essential role in mitigating climate change; however, the deployment of renewables may pose substantial impacts on ecosystems. To date, a quantitative literature review has comprehensively investigated the characteristics and potentials of renewable energy deployment, while a substantial installed capacity was estimated to overlap with ecologically fragile land types. Although phasing out fossil fuels can significantly mitigate climate change, a rapid shift towards renewable energy deployment may bring new challenges. More sustainable pathways tend to exhibit land-intensive dispatch, while stricter regulations lead to more concentrated spatial layouts with higher energy intensities. The considerable overlaps between renewable energy installations and ecologically fragile areas indicated that the effectiveness of ecological regulations and barriers in preventing ecological habitat losses and human activity interventions needs to be re-examined. Through multiple spatial–temporal scenario projections, this study attempts to offer practical insights into the synergistic effects of the renewable energy transition on surrounding areas and emphasizes the significance of ecological regulations that may promote a sustainable and renewable energy transition worldwide. In this context, this study underscores the importance of promoting renewable energy deployment that not only supports climate mitigation but also aligns with ecological conservation, ensuring a more sustainable and ecologically responsible transition to renewable energy.