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Transitioning to a low carbon energy future is essential to meet the Paris Agreement targets and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To understand how societies can undertake this transition, energy models have been developed to explore future energy scenarios. These models often focus on the techno-economic aspects of the transition and overlook the long-term implications on both society and the natural environment. Without a holistic approach, it is impossible to evaluate the trade-offs, as well as the co-benefits, between decarbonisation and other policy goals. This paper presents the Energy Scenario Evaluation (ESE) framework which can be used to assess the impact of energy scenarios on society and the natural environment. This conceptual framework utilises interdisciplinary qualitative and quantitative methods to determine whether an energy scenario is likely to lead to a publicly acceptable and sustainable energy transition. Using the SDGs, this paper illustrates how energy transitions are interconnected with human development and the importance of incorporating environmental and socio-economic data into energy models to design energy scenarios which meet other policy priorities. We discuss a variety of research methods which can be used to evaluate spatial, environmental, and social impacts of energy transitions. By showcasing where these impacts will be experienced, the ESE framework can be used to facilitate engagement and decision-making between policymakers and local communities, those who will be directly affected by energy transitions. Outputs of the ESE framework can therefore perform an important role in shaping feasible and energy transitions which meet the Paris Agreement targets and SDGs. • Energy models do not give sufficient attention to social and environmental impacts. • Our ESE framework uses an interdisciplinary approach to energy scenario evaluation. • Using multiple methods, the ESE framework considers how impacts vary spatially. • A social licence to operate will be key to the success of net-zero transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy technologies deliver environmental benefits in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, they can entail other environmental impacts such as on biodiversity. This article identifies fifteen examples of innovation in the UK wind energy sector that address biodiversity impacts, and seven drivers behind these innovations. Examples are categorised into six thematic areas covering eco-process, eco-organisational and eco-product innovations. Eco-process and eco-organisational innovations are found to be most sensitive to institutional and political influences (such as regulation), whilst eco-product innovations are most sensitive to supply-side factors (such as cost-saving). These findings contribute to theoretical debates on the determinants of eco-innovation, as well as having implications for policymakers addressing the dual policy objectives of renewable energy deployment and biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]