Authors: Teff-seker, Yael; Berger-Tal, Oded;Lehnardt, Yael;Teschner, Naama;

The quest for cleaner energy has caused governments to expand renewable energy infrastructure, including the proliferation of wind turbines. However, wind turbines (WTs) can also pose a risk to certain wildlife species, with research predominantly focusing on the potential harm caused to birds and bats from impact injuries. New evidence suggests that WT noise (WTN) impacts on wildlife can be detrimental, but rarely receive attention from planners and scientists. Potential types of impact include damage to wildlife physical wellbeing, vital survival mechanisms, social and reproductive processes, and habitat continuity. The current study examined the planning guidelines relating to WTN and wildlife in three locales where WT infrastructure is being expanded: California, USA, Germany, and Israel. Findings indicate that none of them have clear zoning limitations or even obligatory environmental impact assessment (EIA) guidelines that require addressing the specific issue of WTN effects on wildlife. However, some steps taken by planning authorities suggest a potential for improvement. These include language in California planning recommendations addressing the potential effects of WTN on wildlife; a German survey of local bird species’ sensitivity to noise (including a WTN section); and increasing recommendations in Israel and Germany that encourage distancing WT from protected areas.