Planning for renewable energy without conflict: the potential of using sensitivity mapping as a decision-support tool
Conducted by the Science and Research Centre Koper and the University of Ljubljana, this study evaluates sensitivity mapping at a national scale in Slovenia. The research concludes that this tool provides a unique opportunity for a structured consideration of policy concerns and stakeholder participation. This integration enhances the quality, legitimacy, and typically also the acceptability of decisions while identifying conflict-free "acceleration areas". The findings confirm that these zones can accelerate the transition by fast-tracking permitting processes to meet climate targets without compromising biodiversity. Ultimately, sensitivity mapping shifts renewable energy expansion from a purely political decision to one grounded in broader societal consensus.
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