Innovative Research Approaches & Practices towards Sustainable Land Management, Preservation & Restoration

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 December 2023) | Viewed by 16469

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Special Issue Editors

Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, University of West Attica, 28 Ag. Spiridonos, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, Greece
Interests: geographic information systems (GIS); spatial data infrastructures (SDI); spatial analysis; cartography; human geography; physical geography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Institute for Space Applications and Remote Sensing, National Observatory of Athens, BEYOND Centre of EO Research & Satellite Remote Sensing, 15236 Athens, Greece
Interests: geographic information systems (GIS); remote sensing; spatial analysis; natural environment; environmental hazards/disasters; water resources; climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
1. Laboratory of Technology and Policy of Energy and Environment, School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
2. Department of Technology Products and Services, NEURPUBLIC S.A., 18545 Piraeus, Greece
Interests: integrated water resources management; drought management; contingency planning; drought vulnerability; desertification vulnerability; composite index; water and land degradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Remote Sensing, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
Interests: land use; land cover studies; pattern recognition; snow cover mapping; biomass estimation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable Land Management (SLM), focusing mainly on soil health, ecosystem and biodiversity preservation, resilience to natural hazards and landscape remediation, is a crucial need and goal for modern societies as life on earth depends on it (human nutrition, clean water, habitat flourishment, economic prosperity, psychological and mental well-being, etc.). Land is the main recipient of climate change and environmental pressures (desertification, degradation, pollution, contamination, human life loss, famine, etc.), originating mainly from human activities (industrialization, urbanization, extensive and uncontrolled conventional farming, overuse of fossil fuels, etc.), constituting the need to counteract and respond to these challenges as a survival-level priority. An analysis by the Mission Board for Soil Health and Food and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC) states that 60–70% of soils in the EU are in an unhealthy state. At the same time, on a global scale, the combined effects of climate change and land degradation may force approximately 700 million people to migrate by 2050. Land is a fragile resource that must be safeguarded for future generations.

In this light, both global and European initiatives, policies and strategies are directly or indirectly linked to sustainable land management, preservation and restoration. The global “One Health” concept links soil health to ecosystem health, food systems and people. At the same time, most of the 17 SDGs, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 through the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, include the land environment and its ecosystem services (safe and nutritious food, water storage and purification, flows’ regulation, aquifer recharge, carbon capture, nutrient cycling, contamination and pollution reduction, biodiversity preservation, landscapes, cultural heritage preservation, greening of towns and cities, etc.)  in their core (e.g., SDG2: zero hunger; SDG3: good health and well-being; SDG6: clean water and sanitation; SDG15: life on land).

In parallel, in the EU, land is a leading area of Research & Innovation (R&I) and policy making towards “Europe’s twin green and digital transition” as it is connected to a wide range of ongoing strategies and policies, including: the Farm to Fork Strategy; the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030; the Climate Adaptation Strategy; the Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil; the Forest Strategy; and the Organic Action Plan, in addition to upcoming ones (New Soil Strategy, EU Soil Observatory, New Common Agricultural Policy, Circular Economy Action Plan, etc.).

Overall, integrated environmental and land management is a combination of scientific, political and socio-economic practices and deals with the regulation of both the effects of human activities on the environment and the effects of the environment on humans. Thus, based on this framework, this Special Issue (SI) envisages becoming a unique reference point in the existing literature, as it will focus on presenting innovative and contemporary methodologies, techniques and tools, significant case studies and thorough reviews, covering the widest possible range of the integrated contemporary concepts presented in its title.

Original and high-quality research and review papers will be accepted, from both stakeholders and researchers around the world, focusing on topics such as:

  • Reduce land degradation relating to desertification and drought events;
  • Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks;
  • No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils;
  • Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration;
  • Prevent soil erosion;
  • Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops;
  • Reduce the EU global footprint on soils;
  • Increase soil literacy in society.

Dr. Kleomenis Kalogeropoulos
Prof. Dr. Andreas Tsatsaris
Dr. Nikolaos Stathopoulos
Dr. Demetrios E. Tsesmelis
Prof. Dr. Nilanchal Patel
Dr. Xiao Huang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • land degradation
  • desertification
  • soil erosion
  • drought
  • ecosystem services
  • biodiversity
  • terrain evaluation

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 29240 KiB  
Article
A Geospatial Approach to Identify and Evaluate Ecological Restoration Sites in Post-Fire Landscapes
by Stefanos Dosis, George P. Petropoulos and Kleomenis Kalogeropoulos
Land 2023, 12(12), 2183; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122183 - 18 Dec 2023
Viewed by 996
Abstract
Wildfires are a pervasive natural phenomenon in Mediterranean forest ecosystems, causing significant ecological imbalances that demand immediate restoration efforts. The intricacy of reinstating the ecological balance necessitates a proactive approach to identifying and assessing suitable restoration sites. The assessment and investigation of the [...] Read more.
Wildfires are a pervasive natural phenomenon in Mediterranean forest ecosystems, causing significant ecological imbalances that demand immediate restoration efforts. The intricacy of reinstating the ecological balance necessitates a proactive approach to identifying and assessing suitable restoration sites. The assessment and investigation of the most suitable restoration sites is of particular importance both for the relevant authorities and for planning and decision making by the state. This study proposes the development of a user-friendly model for evaluating and identifying the most suitable restoration sites immediately after a fire, using geoinformation technologies. For the purposes of demonstrating the method’s applicability, the 2016 fire of “Prinos”, Thasos, Greece, an area that has been repeatedly affected by forest fires, was chosen as a case study. The methodology evaluation was carried out by applying the weighted multicriteria decision analysis method (MCDAM) and was based on a number of variables. The analysis, processing and extraction of the results were performed using primarily remote sensing datasets in a geographical information system (GIS) environment. The methodology proposed herein includes the classification of the individual criteria and their synthesis based on different weighting factors. In the final results, the restoration suitability maps are presented in five suitability zones based on two different scenarios. Based on this study, the integration of geospatial and remote sensing data offers a valuable and cost-effective means for promptly assessing post-fire landscapes, with the aim of identifying suitable restoration sites. Full article
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24 pages, 1942 KiB  
Article
Unraveling the European Agricultural Policy Sustainable Development Trajectory
by Yannis E. Doukas, Luca Salvati and Ioannis Vardopoulos
Land 2023, 12(9), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091749 - 08 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Amidst growing concerns about the impact of agriculture on the environment, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been overhauled to prioritize sustainable rural development in European agriculture. Based on this line of thought, the present contribution delves into the details of the CAP’s [...] Read more.
Amidst growing concerns about the impact of agriculture on the environment, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been overhauled to prioritize sustainable rural development in European agriculture. Based on this line of thought, the present contribution delves into the details of the CAP’s shift, focusing on the main environmental concerns faced in the policy-making framework. Grounded in a political science perspective, the current study looks at how environmental and climate change concerns were gradually elevated inside the CAP’s policy-making framework and how they helped create the “green architecture” for European agriculture. Examining the process of policy change under the lens of historical institutionalism and neo-institutionalism within the multilevel governance framework of the European Union (EU), the key role played by the gradual introduction of measures aimed at promoting measurable environmental criteria and climatic targets is highlighted. For instance, measures aimed at preserving carbon-rich soils and enhancing water resources can have positive impacts on the environment. However, these measures were also recognized to increase the cost of production for the European farmers, who faced serious difficulties in adjusting to the new framework. Within this context, this research delves into the roles played by two additional fundamental entities: the consumer and environmental activism. Additionally, the study underscores the EU’s commitment to addressing climate change and sustainable development challenges and how conditionality is being used to link funding to results. Upon analyzing the CAP’s shift, the reflection of a more flexible and rational approach is argued to be embodied by the new policy architecture. By incorporating both CAP pillars, encouraging collaboration with compatible policies, and allowing for greater adaptability in response to the unique circumstances and objectives of each member state, the CAP is taking significant steps towards sustainability and climate action. These insights into the significance and implications of the CAP’s shift towards sustainability offer valuable recommendations for future policy developments, emphasizing the need to balance environmental concerns with the needs of farmers and other stakeholders. Full article
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21 pages, 2441 KiB  
Article
Straw Mulch Application Enhanced Soil Properties and Reduced Diffuse Pollution at a Steep Vineyard in Istria (Croatia)
by Ivan Dugan, Paulo Pereira, Jasmina Defterdarovic, Lana Filipovic, Vilim Filipovic and Igor Bogunovic
Land 2023, 12(9), 1691; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091691 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 731
Abstract
Straw mulching is a sustainable practice used to control soil erosion. However, different doses of mulch affect the efficiency of straw conservation. This study presents detailed research on how soil physicochemical properties and the hydrological response react to different types of vineyard soil [...] Read more.
Straw mulching is a sustainable practice used to control soil erosion. However, different doses of mulch affect the efficiency of straw conservation. This study presents detailed research on how soil physicochemical properties and the hydrological response react to different types of vineyard soil management (Tilled, Grass, Low Straw, High Straw) and seasons (spring, summer, autumn) under conventional management on Anthrosols in Mediterranean conditions. To assess soil properties, core samples and disturbed samples were taken from the topsoil layer (0–10 cm). To evaluate erosion rates, a rainfall simulation experiment was conducted (58 mm h−1 for 30 min) with 10 replicates per treatment and season (120 in total). The results show higher water-stable aggregates (WSA) and soil organic matter (SOM) and lower bulk density (BD) in the mulch and grass treatment groups compared with the Tilled treatment group. High Straw treatment successfully mitigated runoff, while other treatments had significantly higher runoff that triggered sediment loss (SL) and translocation of P, K, Zn and Ni down the slope. There were 254% and 520% higher K losses with Tilled treatment in autumn compared with Low Straw and Grass treatments, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a strong association between element loss and SL, which indicates an ecological threat in degraded and endangered vineyards. Mulch application and grass cover reduce the vulnerability of vineyards, reduce evaporation, act as insulation against high temperatures, reduce erosion and suppress weed growth. The mulch dosage varies depending on the goals and conditions of the vineyard; thus, lower mulch dosage (2 t/ha) is appropriate when soil conditions are favourable and there is no significant need for moisture retention, while higher mulch dosage is necessary in dry regions to maintain soil moisture during high-temperature periods, as well as in sloped areas subjected to erosion. Full article
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14 pages, 1123 KiB  
Article
Straw Mulch Effect on Soil and Water Loss in Different Growth Phases of Maize Sown on Stagnosols in Croatia
by Igor Bogunović, Iva Hrelja, Ivica Kisić, Ivan Dugan, Vedran Krevh, Jasmina Defterdarović, Vilim Filipović, Lana Filipović and Paulo Pereira
Land 2023, 12(4), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040765 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1274
Abstract
Soil and water loss due to traditional intensive types of agricultural management is widespread and unsustainable in Croatian croplands. In order to mitigate the accelerated land degradation, we studied different cropland soil management strategies to obtain feasible and sustainable agro-technical practices. A rainfall [...] Read more.
Soil and water loss due to traditional intensive types of agricultural management is widespread and unsustainable in Croatian croplands. In order to mitigate the accelerated land degradation, we studied different cropland soil management strategies to obtain feasible and sustainable agro-technical practices. A rainfall simulation experiment was conducted at 58 mm h–1 over 30 min on 10 paired plots (0.785 m2), bare and straw covered (2 t ha−1). The experiment was carried out in maize cultivation (Blagorodovac, Croatia) established on Stagnosols on slopes. Measurements were conducted during April (bare soil, after seeding), May (five-leaves stage), and June (intensive vegetative growth) making 60 rainfall simulations in total. Straw reduced soil and water losses significantly. The highest water, sediment loss, and sediment concentrations were identified in tillage plots during May. Straw addition resulted in delayed ponding (for 7%, 63%, and 50% during April, May and June, respectively) and runoff generation (for 37%, 32%, and 18% during April, May and June, respectively). Compared with the straw-mulched plot, tillage and bare soil increased water loss by 349%. Maize development reduced the difference between bare and straw-mulched plots. During May and June, bare plots increase water loss by 92% and 95%, respectively. The straw mulch reduced raindrop kinetic energy and sediment detachment from 9, 6, and 5 magnitude orders in April, May, and June, respectively. Overall, the straw mulch was revealed to be a highly efficient nature-based solution for soil conservation and maize cultivation protection. Full article
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16 pages, 2992 KiB  
Article
Restoring Degraded Landscapes through an Integrated Approach Using Geospatial Technologies in the Context of the Humanitarian Crisis in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
by Rashed Jalal, Rajib Mahamud, Md. Tanjimul Alam Arif, Saimunnahar Ritu, Mondal Falgoonee Kumar, Bayes Ahmed, Md. Humayun Kabir, Mohammad Sohal Rana, Howlader Nazmul Huda, Marco DeGaetano, Peter John Agnew, Amit Ghosh, Fatima Mushtaq, Pablo Martín-Ortega, Andreas Vollrath, Yelena Finegold, Gianluca Franceschini, Rémi d’Annunzio, Inge Jonckheere and Matieu Henry
Land 2023, 12(2), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020352 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2121
Abstract
The influx of nearly a million refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine state to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in August 2017 put significant pressure on the regional landscape leading to land degradation due to biomass removal to provide shelter and fuel energy and posed critical challenges [...] Read more.
The influx of nearly a million refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine state to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in August 2017 put significant pressure on the regional landscape leading to land degradation due to biomass removal to provide shelter and fuel energy and posed critical challenges for both host and displaced population. This article emphasizes geospatial applications at different stages of addressing land degradation in Cox’s Bazar. A wide range of data and methods were used to delineate land tenure, estimate wood fuel demand and supply, assess land degradation, evaluate land restoration suitability, and monitor restoration activities. The quantitative and spatially explicit information from these geospatial assessments integrated with the technical guidelines for sustainable land management and an adaptive management strategy was critical in enabling a collaborative, multi-disciplinary and evidence-based approach to successfully restoring degraded landscapes in a displacement setting. Full article
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15 pages, 3220 KiB  
Article
Agricultural Land Concentration in Estonia and Its Containment Possibilities
by Marii Rasva and Evelin Jürgenson
Land 2022, 11(12), 2270; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122270 - 12 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1549
Abstract
Land is essential to livelihoods, so it is hard to overstate its strategic significance for well-being and prosperity. It has been detected that farm size greatly influences agricultural sustainability from the viewpoints of the economy, environment, and society. Land concentration is negatively affecting [...] Read more.
Land is essential to livelihoods, so it is hard to overstate its strategic significance for well-being and prosperity. It has been detected that farm size greatly influences agricultural sustainability from the viewpoints of the economy, environment, and society. Land concentration is negatively affecting the development of rural communities. Similar to other European countries, Estonia is undergoing agricultural land concentration. One way to stop the further concentration of agricultural land is to set an upper limit to land acquisition (similar to that in Latvia and Lithuania). This paper aimed to determine what kind of regulations concerning agricultural land use and ownership Estonia needs to restrain land concentration. Four sources of data were used for this research: statistical data from Statistics Estonia, the data for the land holdings of agricultural producers from the Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board, data from the Land Registry and available literature. The outcome of the study confirmed that Estonia requires policy direction and regulations for the agricultural land market, that would help to lighten the impact of land concentration in rural areas in the long run, similar to several other European countries. Full article
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14 pages, 1347 KiB  
Article
Carbon Sequestration Potentials of Different Land Uses in Wondo Genet Sub-Catchment, Southern Ethiopia
by Habitamu Taddese, Mesele Negash, Tariku Geda and Gebiaw T. Ayele
Land 2022, 11(12), 2252; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122252 - 09 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1536
Abstract
Forests play an important role in combating the challenges posed by changing climate through sequestering carbon in their living biomasses and the soil. Tropical forests, which harbour a large number of species, are anticipated to play a great role in this regard due [...] Read more.
Forests play an important role in combating the challenges posed by changing climate through sequestering carbon in their living biomasses and the soil. Tropical forests, which harbour a large number of species, are anticipated to play a great role in this regard due to the favourable growing environments. However, there is limited knowledge of the variability in carbon stock among land use types and its relationship with biodiversity. Therefore, this study assessed the variability in storing the different carbon pools among natural forest, woodland and khat plantation land use types. It also explored the relationship between biodiversity and carbon storage in the different carbon pools. Plant inventory and sample collection were undertaken following standard methods. In addition, soil samples were taken at three depth profile classes of 0–30 cm (top layer), 30–60 cm (middle layer) and 60–100 cm (bottom layer). Results of the study revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between biodiversity and total biomass carbon, soil organic carbon or total carbon stock at a 95% level of confidence. The results indicated that the natural forest had the highest plant biomass (456.93 Mg ha−1) followed by woodland (19.78 Mg ha−1) and khat plantation (2.46 Mg ha−1). Consequently, the total carbon stock estimate of the natural forest (366.47 Mg ha−1) was significantly larger than that of the woodland (141.85 Mg ha−1) and khat plantation (125.86 Mg ha−1). The variation in total carbon stock among land use types arises from the variation in the total biomass carbon stock. The study results also revealed that soil organic carbon stock decreased with soil depth in all the land-use types. The findings of this study have implication of improving topsoil management in monoculture crops such as khat plantation and conserving natural forests for enhancing carbon sequestration potentials. Full article
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13 pages, 1333 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Biophysical Conservation Practices with Dynamic Land Use and Land Cover in the Highlands of Ethiopia
by Meseret B. Addisie, Gashaw Molla, Menberu Teshome and Gebiaw T. Ayele
Land 2022, 11(12), 2187; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122187 - 02 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1514
Abstract
Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan countries affected by land degradation, notably by soil erosion. The government of Ethiopia has launched an extensive biophysical soil and water conservation (SWC) effort each year to address the problem. These practices were installed on varying land [...] Read more.
Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan countries affected by land degradation, notably by soil erosion. The government of Ethiopia has launched an extensive biophysical soil and water conservation (SWC) effort each year to address the problem. These practices were installed on varying land use and land cover (LULC) systems. Despite the fact that the interventions covered the majority of the landmasses, there were no quantitative data on the scale of biophysical measures with the change in land use and land cover. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate biophysical conservation practices with dynamic land use and land cover in the highlands of Ethiopia. The study focused on districts of the Amhara regional state’s South Gondar zone. A mixed research methodology was employed to gather pertinent data for the study. The dynamics of LULC were analyzed using satellite images acquired between 1990 and 2020. Biophysical conservation measures’ data and qualitative information were collected from the zonal office of agriculture. Twelve years’ worth of biophysical SWC measures data were used for the study. The results indicate that cultivated land makes up the majority of land use and land cover. Bunds built on cultivated land account for 93% of conservation practices. During the study period, there was a significant decline of biophysical conservation practices implementation in each district. Although plantation was used on a wider scale, it was unable to sustain physical SWC practices or expand forest cover in the region. In addition, lack of integrated maintenance for early installed structures decreases the effectiveness of SWC measures. In conclusion, the dynamics of LULC have a significant impact on the magnitude of biophysical conservation measures. Therefore, watershed managers shall consider the spatio-temporal variation of LULC while planning conservation practices. Full article
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Review

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14 pages, 707 KiB  
Review
Taking/Compensations or Regulations? Balancing Landscape Conservation and the Development of Renewable Energy Facilities in Japan
by Satomi Kohyama
Land 2023, 12(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010051 - 24 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1698
Abstract
The application of regulations for the development of renewable energy facilities is one of the key environmental conservation strategies being implemented in Japan. However, regulations are only applied if the degree of environmental degradation falls below the “reference point.” Thus, impacts of project [...] Read more.
The application of regulations for the development of renewable energy facilities is one of the key environmental conservation strategies being implemented in Japan. However, regulations are only applied if the degree of environmental degradation falls below the “reference point.” Thus, impacts of project development that are remarkably limited to scenic values of landscapes are largely overseen in Japan. On the other hand, establishing standards for the “reference point” is challenging, and existing scientific approaches and legal frameworks for conserving “daily landscapes” are largely absent. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a set of standards for “reference points” or indicators to classify landscape inventories, particularly those with scenic values. This study explored the potential of development-compensated implementation in Japan by scrutinizing relevant compensation measures in other countries. The results revealed that adding the aesthetic degradation of landscapes as an object in development compensation is challenging, as its value is difficult to monetize. Further, the evaluation of landscape degradation may be insufficient. Hence, there is a need for objective-driven indicators and methods that measure landscape degradation, particularly the effect of renewable energy facilities on the scenic values of “daily landscapes.” Full article
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18 pages, 3874 KiB  
Review
Rural Energy Communities as Pillar towards Low Carbon Future in Egypt: Beyond COP27
by Ahmed Abouaiana
Land 2022, 11(12), 2237; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122237 - 08 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2396
Abstract
Egypt pays extraordinary attention to climate action, which is gaining momentum, coinciding with reaching the peak of the status quo by hosting the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Conference of Parties (COP27). Renewable energy sources are one of the principal axes of [...] Read more.
Egypt pays extraordinary attention to climate action, which is gaining momentum, coinciding with reaching the peak of the status quo by hosting the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Conference of Parties (COP27). Renewable energy sources are one of the principal axes of the state’s plan to combat climate change and open new horizons toward decarbonization. Rural commons act as a food basket and are essential to function in urban areas and enhance ecosystem services, even though currently they are facing extraordinary environmental challenges. Therefore, this study aims to restore the function of the rural commons from consumerism to productivity as an energy basket and create a tendency and momentum toward a self-sufficiency dogma by promoting the rural energy community concept from a top-down approach in Egypt. Two steps can articulate this: First, defining the legal key concept and showing its roots in European policies to provide a direction to this research. Second, by analyzing the current Egyptian legalization, laws, efforts, and best practices, those could address, allow, and encourage the concept’s core. The results proved that this is the first research to discuss the concept from the climate–energy–land use perspective, integrated with a previous bottom-up intervention. Meanwhile, it explains the current state of knowledge and a better understanding of the institutional context, showing the high level of coordination of cross sectors and proving that rural energy communities are presented in the bottom-up practices. This can support decisionmakers and paves the way for researchers, academic bodies, and energy experts to explore other insights. Full article
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