The Local Impacts Of Solar Energy Investments In Hungary [before doctoral defense]

Kivonat, rövid leírás

The energy transition promises significant environmental benefits but also introduces potential challenges. On the positive side, renewables drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with solar and wind power producing near-zero emissions during operation, helping mitigate climate change and improve air quality by displacing fossil fuels, which are responsible for two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions and two-thirds of CO2 emissions too in 2024 (IPCC 2023). However, their deployment can have adverse impacts: large-scale solar farms and wind turbines require extensive land, potentially disrupting ecosystems, displacing wildlife, and fragmenting habitats, especially in biodiversity-rich areas. The production of renewable infrastructure, such as solar panels and batteries, relies on mining critical minerals like lithium and rare earths, which can lead to water pollution, soil degradation, and high energy use during extraction and manufacturing. Additionally, end-of-life disposal of these technologies poses waste management challenges, though recycling initiatives are emerging. While the net environmental impact of renewables remains overwhelmingly positive compared to fossil fuels, careful planning and innovation are essential to minimise these trade-offs and ensure a truly sustainable transition.