Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)
The LULUCF sector was responsible for close to zero percent of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, on a net basis. This sector covers emissions from forest land, grassland, wetlands, cropland and settlements. Some of these land uses are the cause of emissions, whilst others act as a sink, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Emissions or removals also occur when land changes from one state to another. For example, forest land which remains as forest will act as a net carbon sink, meaning that it acts to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If, however, that forest land is converted to cropland, this then acts as a source of emissions – which therefore reverses the benefits to the climate of what was previously a forest.
This sector has emissions of the three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – alongside removals of carbon dioxide alone.
Since 1990, the UK has been a net source of LULUCF emissions, with the exception of just 2015 when removals only fractionally exceeded emissions. Although, net emissions have reduced over this period, most of this reduction was achieved by 2011. Since then, however, there has been very little change in absolute terms, and recent years have actually seen an increase in net emissions.
The largest contribution to the reduction has been a decrease in the amount of grassland being converted to cropland. An increase in the amount of both forest land and grassland that has remained in that state has also contributed to the reduction. The amount of cropland remaining as cropland, however, has increased - this is the most significant source of CO2 emissions in this sector. Forest land acts as the main sink. As trees reach maturity, they increase their uptake of CO2, although on passing that stage the uptake of CO2 will start to reduce.
No additional end-user emissions are re-allocated from the electricity supply or fuel supply sectors to the LULUCF sector.
This sector has emissions of the three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – alongside removals of carbon dioxide alone.
Since 1990, the UK has been a net source of LULUCF emissions, with the exception of just 2015 when removals only fractionally exceeded emissions. Although, net emissions have reduced over this period, most of this reduction was achieved by 2011. Since then, however, there has been very little change in absolute terms, and recent years have actually seen an increase in net emissions.
The largest contribution to the reduction has been a decrease in the amount of grassland being converted to cropland. An increase in the amount of both forest land and grassland that has remained in that state has also contributed to the reduction. The amount of cropland remaining as cropland, however, has increased - this is the most significant source of CO2 emissions in this sector. Forest land acts as the main sink. As trees reach maturity, they increase their uptake of CO2, although on passing that stage the uptake of CO2 will start to reduce.
No additional end-user emissions are re-allocated from the electricity supply or fuel supply sectors to the LULUCF sector.
|
What needs to be done to reach net-zero?
Put simply, forest land needs to be kept in that state, and more forests need to be planted. At the same time, there should be less conversion of land through the hierarchy from forest land to grassland to wetlands to cropland.
Put simply, forest land needs to be kept in that state, and more forests need to be planted. At the same time, there should be less conversion of land through the hierarchy from forest land to grassland to wetlands to cropland.
