Work

Ambitious onshore renewable energy deployment does not exacerbate future UK land-use challenges

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Transitioning to renewable energy is crucial for meeting net-zero targets to tackle the climate crisis. Although wind and solar are the main generation methods being pursued, they risk exacerbating future land-use challenges. Here, we explore the UK's land capacity to accommodate two levels of increased future onshore wind and solar energy capacity. We quantify the impact on breeding bird habitat, food production, and net greenhouse gas flux in the presence and absence of a range of nature-based climate change mitigation measures. We find that even the highest onshore renewable energy ambitions require only a small fraction of the suitable land area, with little cost to food production, greenhouse gas sequestration, or breeding birds, even under pessimistic modeling assumptions. Therefore, the UK could boost onshore renewables without contributing substantially to future land competition, especially if potential synergies between multiple land uses, such as cropping and solar, are realized.

Source: Cell Reports Sustainability

DOI: 10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100122

Authors: Joshua P. Copping, Rob H. Field, Richard B. Bradbury, Lucy J. Wright, Tom Finch

Institutions: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,460