The Landscape Decisions Programme, led by the University of Leicester, has called for more involvement from those knowledgeable in the arts, business owners, farmers, landowners, developers and investors, the study says.
The UKRI-funded report stresses the potential negative impact of existing pathways to net zero climate targets, which include losses in the benefits of biodiversity, human wellbeing and cultural knowledge of the landscape.
The UK government has previously set a net zero target of 2050, through a proposed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and better management of so-called ‘carbon sinks’, such as peatlands and forests, and with new carbon capture technologies.
Recommendations made by the interdisciplinary group include a greater focus on locally devolved decisions in land-use solutions. It said that a “one-size-fits all” approach to net zero landscape management could be damaging in certain environments.
Dr Beth Cole, lead author of...