Publication

Part of the WFD Article 5 reporting requirements is an element of horizon scanning to the middle of this century to identify potential risks to water quality from diffuse pollution driven by future land use and climate change.

A review has been carried out and the key changes that might result from these drivers are an expansion in woodland cover and an increase in the area under arable production as a result of climate change providing enhanced opportunities for agricultural production. These were discussed and agreed at a project workshop and formed the basis of the land use change scenario used in the project. Other potential drivers such as CAP reform, planning and renewable energy development were also reviewed.