Inside England’s New Land Use Revolution

Planning will be included for scenarios of up to 4°C of ‘global heating above preindustrial levels’ as they put it, implying industry is a problem. Much mention of climate targets and ‘challenges’.
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Summary from OilPrice.com:
— England will reallocate land to ensure 7% supports nature restoration and renewable energy while maintaining food production.
— The framework promotes multi-use land strategies, sustainable housing near transport hubs, and stronger environmental protections.
— Greater transparency in land ownership and incentives for farmers are central to achieving long-term climate and biodiversity goals.
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England has introduced a new Land Use Framework, a 56-page report that has been under development since 2022.

The aim of the researchers was to assess the effectiveness of the existing land use in England and develop a more optimal plan based on human and environmental needs, considering the future energy and water outlook and potential risks the country might face, such as increased flooding and other climate challenges.

Under the new framework, roughly 7 percent of England’s land must be devoted to nature, forests, and renewable energy if the United Kingdom hopes to achieve its environmental targets.

Changing the country’s land use to meet these needs will still provide a sufficient portion of land for crop growing and housing, according to the government’s first land use framework, published in March.
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Some of the main points outlined in the new report include:

— Designating restoring peatland as a high-priority issue
— Encouraging the “multi-use” of land, for example, solar farms alongside livestock grazing
— Encouraging local authorities to put nature reserves in both the countryside and urban areas
— Place tighter regulations on grouse moors
— The framework does not include a new “right to roam”, but there will be a consultation on “making landowner liability more proportionate”, which may open areas for public access.
— A national soil map will be published
— The establishment of a new land use unit is expected
— Government planning for changes to the U.K.’s landscape under global heating of 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, and of much higher heating of 4 °C.

While the framework focuses exclusively on England, the report states that the government will work closely with the governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to share best practices and “collaborate on cross-border issues”.

The creation of a “blueprint” for informed land use was aimed at bringing an end to the “fragmented approach” to tackling issues such as food production and renewable energy capacity development. It is expected to help the U.K. achieve targets related to carbon budgets and national biodiversity and climate plans.

Full article here.