Future of Welsh landscape and Ecological sustainability to achieve UK net zero target

Wales is well known for its green hills covered in permanent pasture. Changes to the climate could radically alter the upland agricultural scene and overall regional landscape. Reshaping the Welsh landscape by introducing greater land use diversification is necessary under future climate scenarios to achieve UK net zero target. Getting to net zero is technically feasible but highly challenging. Bioenergy from dedicated crops or biological waste streams is widely recognised as a key tool to achieve the target. There is an urgent need to develop better landscape decision tools keeping in view the biodiversity and food security. Within the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and Aberystwyth University we have seeked to address these challenges utilising spatial modelling tools to support land use decision-making. Land Information System (LIS) through system analysis approach provide basis for ecological sustainability of future Welsh landscape. Facilitating evidence-based decisions through research collaboration with policymakers, industry and research institute partners support to identify hotspots for bioenergy development or deployment throughout the UK.