Impacts of Increasing Land Use under Energy Crops

Project Status: Completed
Type of Project: Research Project

Principal Investigator: Dr Angela Karp, Rothamsted Research (Email)
Website

Publications, Data and Other Outputs
Policy and Practice Note

Objectives

Future policies are likely to encourage more land use under energy crops: principally willow, grown as short rotation coppice, and a tall exotic grass miscanthus. These crops will make an important contribution to the UK’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. However, it is not clear how planning decisions based on climate, soil and water should be balanced against impacts on the landscape, social acceptance, biodiversity and rural economy.

This project integrates social, economic, hydrological and biodiversity studies in an interdisciplinary approach to develop a scientific framework for Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the medium and long term conversion of land to energy crops. We will provide scientific tools for updating Best Practice Guides and Environmental Impact Assessments, Strategic Environmental Assessments or SAs involving projects, policies or programmes where increased planting of energy crops is proposed or anticipated. The project profits from involvement of the Regional Development Agencies of the East Midlands and South-West regions used as study areas, industry representatives and DEFRA. It supports the “sustainable rural development”, “protection of the rural environment” and “economic vitality of rural areas” priorities of RELU. Results will benefit farmers, energy producers, land planners, regional development agencies, policy makers, environmental agencies and the public.