Abstract:
Wind energy production is growing rapidly worldwide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, wind energy production is not environmentally neutral. Negative impacts on volant animals, such as bats, include fatalities at turbines and habitat
loss due to land-use change and displacement. Siting turbines away from ecologically sensitive areas and implementing measures
to reduce fatalities are critical to protecting bat populations. Restricting turbine operations during periods of high bat activity is the
most effective form of mitigation currently available to reduce fatalities. Compensating for habitat loss and offsetting mortality are
not often practiced, because meaningful offsets are lacking. Legal frameworks to prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of wind
energy on bats are absent in most countries, especially in emerging markets. Therefore, governments and lending institutions are
key in reconciling wind energy production with biodiversity goals by requiring sufficient environmental standards for wind energy
projects.
Keywords: bats, biodiversity crisis, climate change, renewable energies, wind turbines
