*New thread* Today we've published two new reports on UK #land use & #biomass setting out why they're important in tackling climate change & how our land can help to build resilience to climate impacts. Here's a summary of both: theccc.org.uk/wp-content/upl… and theccc.org.uk/wp-content/upl… 
Kicking off with land use: Our report says fundamental reform to how land is used and managed is needed to deliver the UK’s climate goals. There is now a unique opportunity to define a better land strategy that can tackle the challenges of #climatechange. Read the Exec Summary.
Significant changes in land use could help reduce emissions by 35-80% by 2050. Figure 2.5 explains. Deeper cuts in emissions by 2050 require ↑↑ tree planting & peatland restoration, while the harvesting of biomass could help to displace emissions in energy & construction.
Improving agricultural productivity, adopting healthier #diets and reducing food waste is key to releasing agricultural land for alternative uses as Figure 2.1 explains. Meanwhile, more spending on innovation and R&D is needed to improve both forest & agricultural productivity.
Unless addressed well in advance, some of the risks of climate change to our land assets, especially peatlands, could be effectively irreversible. Making land use change decisions to manage risks earlier can lead to more sustainable land uses & protect the natural environment.
Land managers also need ↑↑ awareness of the potential risks to current land uses from #climatechange. The Govt should own & supply the required information & provide a clear mechanism for land managers to use it. Search for 'information' here for details bit.ly/2RSmuCk
Finally, new UK land use policy should promote transformational land uses & reward landowners for public goods that deliver #climatechange mitigation & adaptation objectives. But decisions need to be taken quickly... [Stay tuned for messages from our #biomass report, up next]
Our new #biomass report, also published today, shows that building up #carbon stocks in forests and soils is critical for tackling #climatechange and delivering on the goals of the #ParisAgreement. Read the full report here: theccc.org.uk/publication/bi…
Our report finds that #bioenergy can be low-carbon and sustainable *but* tighter rules and better incentives are needed to ensure this happens in practice. This is the fundamental challenge for Government and industry. #climatechange #UKClimateAction
Uses of biomass need to change over time, away from electricity generation without carbon capture & storage (CCS) and biofuels for cars and vans, towards CCS, hydrogen production & aviation biofuels. Using timber for new buildings can be low carbon, sustainable and beautiful too!
Finally, unlocking the full value of #biomass requires a big push to develop key technologies, including #bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and gasification plants capable of producing genuinely clean gas. Read the report in full here! bit.ly/2qO1fWP
