Windmills for power generation are lined up in Horonobe, Hokkaido Prefecture. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) The Environment Ministry has started discussions on a possible revision of its environmental impact assessment system for planned wind farms. The discussions started after administrative reform minister Taro Kono called for a deregulation of the system to help expand the use of renewable energy sources, which is a pillar of measures for fighting the climate crisis. Using more renewables, which involve no greenhouse gas emissions, is, in fact, key to realizing a carbon-free society. We are facing the test of how we can expand our fleet of renewable energy facilities while at the same time curbing their negative impacts on the environment and on wildlife.