Carvalho, Fabio, Lee, Hing Kin, Blaydes, Holly et al. (9 more authors) (2024) Integrated policymaking is needed to deliver climate and ecological benefits from solar farms. Journal of Applied Ecology. 14745. ISSN 0021-8901
Abstract
1. Multi-purpose land use is of great importance for sustainable development, particularly in the context of increasing pressures on land to provide ecosystem services (e.g. food, energy) and support biodiversity. 2. The recent global increase in land-take for utility-scale ground-mounted solar farms (hereafter referred to as solar farms) to meet Net Zero targets presents an opportunity for enhanced delivery of ecosystem services, especially in temperate ecosystems where solar farm development often results in land use change away from comparatively intensive agricultural land management. Solar farms have long operational lifespans, experience low levels of disturbance during operation and can be managed for ecosystem services beyond low-carbon electricity generation, including food production and biodiversity conservation. 3. Here, we briefly synthesise the mechanisms by which solar farm development and operation may impact natural capital and ecosystem services, and provide policy recommendations for policymakers and the solar farm sector. 4. Solar farms can deliver environmental benefits for hosting ecosystems while minimising negative impacts, with outcomes depending on location, construction techniques, and land management practices. However, the historical misalignment between climate, nature, and land use policies has hindered efforts to simultaneously address the climate and biodiversity crises through land use change for solar farms. For instance, existing public financial incentives in the UK that encourage landowners and developers to manage land for biodiversity largely exclude land with solar farms. 5. Policy implications: We call for public policymakers to identify appropriate opportunities to amend existing national laws that address climate and biodiversity separately to improve integration of multiple aspects of the climate-nature-land use nexus into policymaking by: (1) formulating ecological and socio-economic indicators and metrics that are appropriate to underpin the development, implementation, and assessment of public policies; (2) adopting a cross-sectoral and cross-government approach to form public policies; (3) ensuring solar farms can access public financial incentives that encourage sustainable land use; (4) implementing land use policies that incentivise funding from non-government sources (e.g. private sector) into nascent nature markets; (5) embedding solar farms in biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning policies and decision-making; and (6) building equity and clarity into responsibilities and benefits for all actors involved.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Applied Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Environment and Geography (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 29 Jul 2024 14:30 |
Last Modified: | 05 Nov 2024 01:26 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:215452 |
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Description: Journal of Applied Ecology - 2024 - Carvalho - Integrated policymaking is needed to deliver climate and ecological benefits
Licence: CC-BY 2.5