Research team

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Anqi Liu– University of Exeter

Xiaoyu Yan – University of Exeter

Kevin Gaston – University of Exeter

Aims

This study attempts to bridge the gap between achieving net zero carbon and preserving biodiversity, providing crucial insights into the ecological impacts of the UK’s energy system transformation towards net zero, and guiding policymakers to balance climate and biodiversity objectives effectively.  

Approach

1. Identify the likely spatial overlaps of the UK’s operational energy facilities (including fossil fuel and renewables) and biodiversity hotspots by generating an energy and biodiversity map using the Geographic Information System (GIS)
   

1. Measure potential threats to planned conservation/planning areas caused by the renewable energy development through an integrated scenario analysis, considering multiple net zero pathways and biodiversity enhancement schemes
   

1. Quantify the global biodiversity footprints of the UK’s energy system transformation by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, for example, the impacts of fuel and facility-related materials supply from outside of the UK. 

Next Steps

The next step of this study is to assess the land use pattern and transformation for renewable energy installation in the UK, including solar and onshore wind farms, and to investigate how land transformation influences the local environment and biodiversity change.