Environmental justice implications of wind blade waste management in the European Union: a systematic review

Wind energy is one of the European Union’s key assets for addressing the climate crisis. However, insufficient attention has been paid to the consequences of the End-Of-Life (EOL) of wind turbines. While various options exist for managing waste, none effectively address the non-recyclability of wind blades. Although the literature has explored this problem from different angles, it has not yet been analysed through an environmental justice lens. This paper identifies the potential environmental justice implications of wind waste management in EU member states. Through a systematic literature review and qualitative analysis of 47 cases, we examine the issue from distributive, recognitional, procedural, and legislative perspectives. Our findings indicate that the industry frequently refers to technical challenges as a pretext to delay effective waste management. Local voices and knowledge are frequently disregarded, raising concerns about recognition and participation. Finally, the lack of specific and harmonised legislation on EOL may contribute to an unequal distribution of burdens. These dynamics exemplify forms of environmental injustice and reinforce existing power imbalances. The insights offered in this paper aim to support a more just energy transition in Europe.Key policy highlightsBlade waste from EOL processes is expected to increase substantially with wind energy expansion.The lack of recyclability of the blade materials creates important waste management issues for the wind industry.Poor waste management can be a catalyst for environmental justice concerns.There is a lack of specific and harmonised legislation on EOL processes in the European Union.A socially just energy transition in Europe must address the growing concern of wind blade waste.