Landscape Decisions to Meet Net Zero Carbon: Pathways that Consider Ethics, Socio-Ecological Diversity, and Landscape Functions

  • Commissioner: Centre for Landscape and Climate Research at the University of Leicester, University of Reading, University of Exeter, Bangor University, Rothamsted Research, and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
  • Conducted by: Centre for Landscape and Climate Research at the University of Leicester, University of Reading, University of Exeter, Bangor University, Rothamsted Research, and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
  • Year: 2022
  • Countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
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The report identifies key contradictions in achieving net zero carbon targets, such as the potential loss of biodiversity, human well-being, and cultural knowledge of landscapes. It emphasises the importance of land-use choices that both absorb and prevent the release of carbon, highlighting the roles of agricultural practices, peatland restoration, and afforestation. The report recommends a balanced approach, promoting both biological and non-biological carbon storage methods to effectively sequester atmospheric carbon while maintaining ecological and cultural integrity.

The report identifies contradictions in achieving net zero carbon targets, such as loss of biodiversity, human well-being, and cultural knowledge of landscapes.

The report emphasises the importance of land-use choices that absorb and/or prevent the release of carbon. It discusses the role of agricultural practices, peatland restoration, and afforestation in sequestering carbon.

Recommendations include promoting a mix of biological and non-biological storage approaches to sequester atmospheric carbon.

Recommendations for policy implementation

  1. Invest in transdisciplinary approaches for landscape management decisions.
  2. Promoting a mix of biological and non-biological storage approaches to sequester atmospheric carbon.
  3. Support the right ecosystem in the right place, considering past, present, and future human practices and ecological timescales.
  4. Enhance local and devolved decision-making capabilities to ensure that landscape decisions are context-specific and inclusive.

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Landscape Decisions to Meet Net Zero Carbon: Pathways that Consider Ethics, Socio-Ecological Diversity, and Landscape Functions