How can we speed up the transition to renewable energy?
Our vision is for a clean, green, and equitable energy future. The world needs at least a nine-fold increase in renewable energy production to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals and much more to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The rapid transition to renewable energy will be good for people and the planet. But the land-use footprint for this buildout will be large because renewable energy infrastructure requires a lot of land—especially onshore wind and large-scale solar installations. This raises the potential for land-use conflicts over renewable energy. We need to go smart to go fast—deploying renewable energy in ways that support goals for climate, conservation, and communities.
Driving the Energy Transition
By delivering innovative strategies grounded in leading science, partnerships, public policy, and market-based approaches, TNC is helping catalyze a rapid renewable energy buildout that safeguards nature and supports an equitable transition for communities.
TNC is currently focusing on the United States, Europe, and India, and piloting strategies in Africa, China, and Latin America. We are working with multilateral 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.
Global Renewables Watch
Global Renewables Watch will be a regularly updated atlas of utility-scale solar and wind installations around the world.
Check out this upcoming tool
Identifying the Best Places for Renewable Energy
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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. See the Science
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SiteRight in India
Advancing the rapid deployment of renewable energy in India to meet rising energy demand while mitigating climate change. See SiteRight in India
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Smarter Energy Siting in Croatia Helps Achieve Climate & Biodiversity Goals
A single county in Croatia could meet more than half of the country's entire national renewables target without grave impacts to wildlife—and that’s good news for the global energy transformation. See the Transition in Croatia
Planning for a Clean and Green Future
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Clean Energy Solutions that Protect People and Nature in the West
Power of Place-West is TNC's study that shows high electrification is the best path for meeting climate and land conservation goals. See the Opportunities of Renewable Power in the U.S. West
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Global Clean Energy Potential Tool
Converted lands can provide lower-conflict solutions for new renewable energy installations. TNC’s interactive tool shows how. See How We Can Meet Global Clean Energy Goals While Protecting Natural Lands
Advancing Policies and Markets for Renewables
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Six Pathways to a Clean and Green Renewable Energy Buildout
Accelerating clean energy development is critical—here’s how we do it the right way. See the Six Pathways to a Clean & Green Energy Buildout
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Beyond Carbon-Free: A Framework for Purpose-Led Renewable Energy
This report by LevelTen Energy, The Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society guides the renewable energy industry toward a sustainable and equitable clean energy transition. Download Beyond Carbon-Free White Paper
Driving Benefits for Communities and Nature
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Mining the Sun in Nevada and West Virginia
Nevada and West Virginia, two states with very different identities, are finding themselves on the cutting edge of clean energy opportunity by repurposing former mine lands with solar energy. See the Opportunities for Mining the Sun
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Long Island Solar Roadmap
A new report details how to advance clean energy development on New York's Long Island while safeguarding the places people value most. Follow the Long Island Roadmap
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A Marine Mapping Tool to Guide Offshore Wind Development
TNC scientists are mapping offshore waters in the Atlantic to ensure the best data about species are used to make decisions about the ocean. See How Science Can Guide Offshore Wind Development
Saving Rivers and Transitioning from Fossil Fuels
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A Brighter Future
We must push for low-conflict, low-cost development of clean energy. Discover the solutions in this interactive overview. See the Path for a Brighter Clean Energy Future
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Connected and Flowing
TNC's report shows a pathway to a renewable future for rivers, climate and people. Download the Executive Summary
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Safeguarding the Okavango Delta
TNC is working with the Angolan government and international energy company Gesto to create a master plan that prioritizes low-impact renewable energy sources, like solar power, over traditional large-scale hydropower. See How Partnerships Can Protect Rivers and Provide Clean Energy
Perspectives
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Buy Renewables Right: 3 Things Companies Can Do to Promote a Clean and Green Future
The global transition to clean energy must happen fast to meet climate goals. This looks more possible than ever. Here are three things companies can do to help drive a clean and green transition.
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Room for Renewables—If We Do It Right
By planning, siting and buying renewable energy right, we can get to a net-zero future—one in which people and nature thrive.
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How We Get the Right Mix of Clean Energy in the Right Places
Perspective from TNC’s Mark Lambrides shares why he is optimistic about clean energy systems helping meet the world’s climate change targets.
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A Clean Energy Future for People and Nature
By strategically planning the use of land, India can ensure that renewable energy projects are set up in places with high potential for power generation, but that also avoid harm to nature, wildlife or people.
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Minding the Gap: Energy Sprawl and Access in India
Joe Kiesecker, TNC’s Lead Scientist on Land and Water, details his perspectives on how India can achieve universal energy access while also protecting its critical habitats.
Reports
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More than a Megawatt
TNC works with Salesforce and partners to promote high standards for renewable energy development.
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Mitigating Biodiversity Impacts Associated with Solar and Wind Energy Development
By planning solar and wind renewable energy projects in areas with a lower conservation priority, project developers can avoid the most severe potential negative impacts on biodiversity.
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Green Light Study: Economic and Conservation Benefits of Low-Impact Solar Siting in CA
This report details paths to decarbonization while limiting impacts of energy development on high value natural and agricultural lands in California.
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Energy Sprawl Solutions
This interactive energy tool visualizes trade-offs between energy, carbon emissions and land use based on the world’s project energy needs.
Science & Tools
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Paris to Practice Tool: Global Clean Energy Potential
How do we meet global clean energy goals while protecting natural lands?
- North Carolina Solar Siting Principles and Webmap
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Unintended Environmental Consequences of the Paris Climate Agreement
This report details the unintended environmental impacts on critical habitats and ecosystems from renewable energy development.
