Summary
This literature review examines the agronomic factors governing hydroponic production and evaluates the environmental sustainability of vertical farming systems. Although hydroponics enables precise crop growth control in urban settings and offers benefits over conventional farming, the paper concludes that vertical farms generate substantially higher carbon footprints than field-grown crops in most cases, with energy-intensive lighting and high initial investment rendering them unsuitable as a climate-advantageous solution to food security challenges. The authors suggest vertical farming serves as a contingency only where arable land degradation makes conventional production unfeasible.
UK applicability
The findings are relevant to UK policy discussions on urban agriculture and climate mitigation, where vertical farming is sometimes promoted as a sustainable food solution. This review provides critical evidence that UK-based vertical farm operators and policymakers should carefully assess local energy sources and supply chain impacts before assuming environmental superiority over field-grown and domestically distributed produce.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas emissions from hydroponic vertical farming compared to field production and long-distance transportation; energy intensity of vertical farm operations; initial capital investment requirements
Outcomes reported
The review examined factors influencing hydroponic plant growth (light, oxygen, CO₂, nutrients, pH, EC, water, humidity, temperature, labour, machinery maintenance, electricity) and evaluated the carbon footprint and sustainability potential of vertical farming systems. The paper assessed whether vertical farms can address global food security and arable land degradation.
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