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The Great Plains

Creating a Renewable Energy Future

Two people wearing safety vests and hard hats walk among a field of solar panels.

Making the Great Plains a leader in clean energy that supports climate, conservation and communities.

Clean Energy TNC is helping catalyze a rapid renewable energy buildout that safeguards nature and supports equitable transition for communities. © Dave Lauridsen

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is committed to creating a clean, reliable and equitable energy future. To get there, we know the world needs at least a nine-fold increase in renewable energy production to meet Paris Agreement climate goals—and much more to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

That’s why TNC is helping catalyze a rapid renewable energy buildout that safeguards nature and supports equitable transition for communities. We’re delivering innovative strategies grounded in leading science, partnerships, public policy and market-based approaches. We are working with institutions and partners around the world to share knowledge and influence commitments to support a low-conflict, low-carbon and community-friendly renewable energy future.

A lesser prairie chicken stands in a field of grass with sunlight behind it.
Lesser prairie chicken More than half of all lesser prairie chickens in the world are found in western Kansas, where The Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch provides crucial habitat. © Morgan Heim

Globally, TNC has prioritized the clean energy transition as central to achieving these ambitious 2030 goals:

  • Reduce or store 3 gigatons of CO2 emissions yearly by using the power of nature and the strength of policy and markets to reduce emissions, support renewable energy and store carbon.
  • Conserve 1.6 billion acres of land through restoration and improved management of working lands, support of Native Nations as land stewards and conservation of habitats rich in carbon and biodiversity.
Aerial view of solar panels in a field next to another field filled with vibrant yellow plants.
© Ollo/iStock

Our approach

Across the Great Plains, lands with plentiful solar and wind resources are also vital for agricultural production and native habitat. We are launching an urgent next phase of work to deploy renewable energy resources, protect biodiversity and foster sound land management practices.

Our goal

Our goal is for the Great Plains to double renewables by 2030 while ensuring at least 75% of new development is sited to avoid priority natural systems and landscapes, like wetlands and native grasslands.

A row of wind turbines stands in a golden field.
Wind turbines Wind turbines above The Nature Conservancy’s Hole In The Mountain Prairie near Lake Benton, Minnesota. © Richard Hamilton Smith

The next phase of our Great Plains renewable energy strategy will include pressing work to:

  • Develop smart siting recommendations using innovative TNC science such as our Site Renewables Right tool, which was first launched in Kansas and Oklahoma and is now used across the globe
  • Test frameworks for voluntary offsets that allow energy developers and buyers to protect priority conservation areas
  • Enable research on scalable solutions for energy transition with responsible land use (agrivoltaics, for example, allows dual use of land for solar and agriculture)
  • Ensure climate policy and funding achieve their full potential

3Cs Solutions

Our 3Cs approach—focusing on Climate, Conservation and Communities—ensures that the renewable energy buildout not only addresses climate change but also protects nature and benefits people. By integrating the 3Cs into our planning, siting and policy work, we are making it faster, easier and more cost-effective to deploy renewable energy at the scale needed to meet our climate goals.

Conservation

At the speed and scale needed to meet our climate goals, the renewable energy buildout may have impacts on current land uses on the ground and in oceans—especially with large-scale wind and solar installations. With careful planning, renewable energy projects can avoid impacts to wildlife and habitat and even restore and enhance nature.

Climate

More than two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions come from energy use. To meet our Paris Agreement climate goals and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the world must triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Renewable energy solutions should maximize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Communities

Public concerns about the clean energy transition include environmental impacts, effects on land and property values, and ensuring a fair transition to clean energy given historical inequities. Bringing communities into decision-making early can reduce opposition and accelerate the renewable energy transition.

Learn more about each of the 3Cs RETURN
Clickable 3Cs Framework graphic: sun shining through a tree, wind turbines, and closeup of a hands-in gesture. Conservation Climate Communities

For details about our clean energy strategy, contact:

Patrick Lynn
Great Plains Climate and Energy Strategy Lead

More About Our Work

Read more about The Nature Conservancy's renewable energy work.

Site Renewables Right

To help accelerate the deployment of wind and solar energy in a way that helps people and nature thrive, The Nature Conservancy is providing the award-winning Site Renewables Right map.

Clean Energy Transition

We no longer need to choose between abundant energy and a cleaner environment. A renewable energy revolution is happening across the globe.

Accelerating Renewable Energy in North America

Learn how TNC is driving a clean, green and equitable energy transition where people and nature thrive.