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Table 1 UK Bioenergy Land Availability Estimates/Projections

From: Bioenergy utilization for a low carbon future in the UK: the evaluation of some alternative scenarios and projections

Source

Available Land (Mha)

Time Frame

Comments

Defra [19]

1.1

2020 - Future

350,000 ha for the growth of perennial energy crops in addition to 740,000 ha arable crops for 50% of RTFO (5% of transport fuels by 2010)

EEA [26]

1.6

2030

Takes no account of conversion of permanent grassland

RCEP [80]

1.0–5.5

2050

More ambitious yields, conversion efficiency and forest fuel availability will move figure towards 1 Mha

Haughton et al. [49]

3.1

Future

Models planting in “environmentally acceptable locations thereby avoiding unsustainable trade-offs”

Lovett et al. [63]

3.1

Future

Report solely focused on cultivation of Miscanthus, and filters out Grades 1 and 2 agricultural land

ADAS [2]

4.2

Future

Comprehensive assessment of technical land availability from lower grade arable and marginal land. Highest possible scenario to be 4.2 Mha