Just 1% of England’s land will be needed for renewables to help meet the UK’s climate goals by 2050, according to a first-of-its-kind framework. There is enough land in England to meet climate and nature goals, while also producing more food and building new homes, according to the UK government’s new “land-use framework”. Speaking at the framework’s launch on Wednesday, environment secretary Emma Reynolds said she hoped it would put an end to the idea that England faces “false choices” over “solar panels versus farmland”, or “growth versus environment”. The policy was first planned by the Conservative government in 2022, but has been delayed many times. It has been broadly welcomed by environmental groups, with Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, calling it a “vital step forward” towards “more joined-up approaches” to land use. Below, Carbon Brief outlines the main points of the framework relating to climate change, nature restoration, food production, renewable energy and housing. What is the land-use framework? What does the plan say about how land in England should be used? What does the framework mean for different sectors? Renewable energy Tree-planting and nature restoration Food production Housing What is the land-use framework? The government’s land-use framework for England aims to set out a “coherent national vision” for using land. The 56-page report is the first of its kind in England. It focuses solely on England, but notes that the government will “work closely” with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to share…
