Deploying ecosystem services to develop sustainable energy landscapes: a case study from the Netherlands
Smart and Sustainable Built Environment
ISSN: 2046-6099
Article publication date: 13 October 2020
Issue publication date: 22 November 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The transition to a low carbon future is an emerging challenge and requires the planning and designing of sustainable energy landscapes – landscapes that provide renewable energy while safeguarding the supply of other ecosystem services. The aim of this paper is to present the application of an ecosystem services trade-off assessment in the development of sustainable energy landscapes for long-term strategic planning in a case study in Schouwen-Duivenland, The Netherlands.
Design/methodology/approach
The application consists in three activities: in (1) stakeholder mapping hot spots of ecosystem services and renewable energy technologies in a workshop, (2) landscape design principles being discussed by a focus group, (3) experts gathering the information and proceeding with an assessment of the potential synergies and trade-offs.
Findings
The case study indicates that (1) deploying the ecosystem services framework in planning and design can enhance the development of sustainable energy landscapes, (2) diversified and accurate spatial reference systems advance the trade-off analysis of both regulating and cultural ecosystem services and (3) the involvement of local stakeholders can advance the trade-off analysis and, ultimately, facilitates the transition to a low-carbon future with sustainable energy landscapes.
Originality/value
The originality of this research lies in the creation of an approach for the deployment of ecosystem services in the planning and design of energy transition. This is useful to advance energy transition by enhancing research methods, by providing methods useful for planners and designers and by supporting communities pursuing energy self-sufficiency in a sustainable manner.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Annemieke Smith (Wageningen University and Research), for the intellectual and practical work done in the organization of the participatory process in 2014 and the colleagues who contributed to other parts of the research, namely Marjo van Lierop and Dirk Oudes. We further really thank Denise Fralley (American University of Rome) for the English proof of the text.Funding: The study was supported by the Province of Zeeland (The Netherlands), the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (The Netherlands) and the Erasmus Placement Program - University of Trento (Italy).
Citation
Picchi, P., Verzandvoort, S., Geneletti, D., Hendriks, K. and Stremke, S. (2022), "Deploying ecosystem services to develop sustainable energy landscapes: a case study from the Netherlands", Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 422-437. https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-02-2020-0010
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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