The implementation of wind farms and the socioenvironmental impacts in indigenous and traditional populations

The use of wind energy is growing worldwide as a response to climate change, since it does not emit greenhouse gases. However, this technology causes a number of socioenvironmental impacts that cannot be neglected. This paper examines what these impacts are, how they affect indigenous and traditional populations, and whether there are legislations that protect them. It was foundthat, although the legislation protects indigenous populations from most of the impacts caused by the implementation of wind farms, traditional populations are vulnerable and may even be removed from their lands to make these undertakings viable. The EIA/RIMA is a key instrument to protect traditional populations. This instrument should be carefully evaluated by the environmental licensing body, with special attention to the locational alternatives offered, in view of the irreversibility of the damages that undertakings of this type may cause.