“Study Shows More Land Allocated to Golf Courses Than Renewable Energy – What Does This Mean for the Environment?”
A new study published in the journal Environmental Research Communications has found that in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, more land is allocated for golf courses than for renewable energy facilities such as wind or solar farms. The study, titled “Countries across the world use more land for golf courses than wind or solar energy,” highlights the disparity in land use between recreational activities like golf and sustainable energy production.
According to the study, the top 10 countries in the world with the most golf courses could potentially support as much as 659 gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity and 842 GW of solar capacity on the land currently used for golf courses. This capacity exceeds the installed capacity for many renewable energy facilities in these countries.
Golf courses have a significant environmental footprint, requiring chemical treatments and large amounts of water for maintenance. In contrast, renewable energy installations offer a more sustainable land use option that directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Solar farms require approximately 0.01 square kilometers of land per megawatt (MW) of capacity, while wind farms need 0.12 square kilometers per MW.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Jann Weinand, emphasized that the study is not advocating for the direct conversion of golf courses into renewable energy facilities. Instead, it highlights the potential for utilizing large, underutilized areas for renewable energy projects. Weinand stressed the importance of rethinking land use priorities to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The findings of the study underscore the untapped potential of repurposing land currently used for golf courses for renewable energy production. By reallocating land to more sustainable uses, countries can make significant strides towards meeting their renewable energy goals and combating climate change.