Croatia Unveils Cutting-Edge Biodiversity Conflict Maps to Accelerate Action for Nature and Climate

At a landmark conference today in Zagreb, Croatia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition revealed the region’s most comprehensive national biodiversity conflict maps. With Croatia having Europe’s second highest percentage of environmentally protected land, the maps will be key to accelerating renewable energy development while ensuring protection of the country’s rich natural heritage.

The biodiversity conflict maps presented today are the result of an innovative collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute. Developed through a combination of advanced machine-learning models and expert input, the maps represent one of the most comprehensive biodiversity datasets ever compiled for Croatia, significantly bridging existing knowledge gaps.

"Like the rest of the world, Croatia is undergoing intense change due to geopolitical, ecological, environmental, and economic challenges. To successfully deal with these challenges in the coming years, we need to harness the power of digital technologies that create a climate-neutral, resource-efficient, and resilient economy and society. I am particularly proud that these new biodversity conflict maps not only support the national goals of the energy transition, but also contribute to finding solutions in the context of the European REPowerEU initiative - making a significant step towards reducing the conflict between nature conservation and the accelerated development of renewable energy," said Marija Vučković, Croatia's Minister at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition.

A key aspect of TNC’s smart siting methodology, the cutting-edge maps analyse around a million animal observations across more than 350 species and provide detailed distribution models for targeted species from vulnerable groups like birds, bats, and large carnivores. By integrating data on habitats, species, and ecological processes, the maps allow for accurate risk assessments and informed decision-making on solar and wind energy development.

“With an abundance of biodiversity and renewable energy potential, Croatia is a critical proving ground for how best to integrate priorities for nature protection and renewable energy acceleration. The national biodiversity conflict maps are a key part of TNC’s smart siting approach, which can help streamline project permitting, reduce conflicts, and minimise financial risks in the country’s energy transformation,” said Kasandra-Zorica Dropuljić, Southeast Europe Renewable Energy Programme Manager at The Nature Conservancy.

The maps build on a pilot study conducted by TNC and Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar in 2021 that identified enough land in the county of Zadar alone to meet half of the country’s total national 2030 target for solar and wind power with minimal impact to nature and communities. TNC has since deployed this smart siting methodology across Southeast Europe to inform national studies in Serbia and North Macedonia, as well as a similar pilot study in Nikšić, Montenegro.

For Croatia, the maps will now be integrated into the country’s national spatial planning process – informing the designation of Renewable Acceleration Areas (RAAs) as mandated under the EU Renewable Energy Directive. The maps are a strong example of the science-based process needed to help countries designate RAAs, providing crucial data to support the development of renewable energy projects in areas with minimal environmental and social conflict.

In addition to their immediate use in planning RAAs, the maps are designed to be dynamic and adaptable. Much of the underlying data, tools, and methodologies will be made openly available through the national Bioportal and BioAtlas systems, enabling future updates and facilitating scientific research, spatial planning, and decision-making for nature conservation at both the national and European levels.

As the first country in Southeast Europe to develop such comprehensive biodiversity conflict maps, Croatia has set an example for the region and beyond. This milestone not only aligns with the country’s energy and conservation goals but also establishes a robust model for responsible renewable energy planning to meet EU 2030 climate and energy goals.