Why vertical farming isn't a miracle solution to food security
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But it’s important to recognise that the increased productivity of indoor vertical farming comes at the cost of much higher energy usage due to the need for artificial lighting and climate control systems. open image in gallery Aquaponic systems that grow food with the help of fish are a naturally lit option The energy demand associated with vertical farming, however, is much higher than other methods of food production. Even with the reductions promised by Intelligent Growth Solutions, the energy demand associated with most vertical farms would still be very high, which positions vertical farming in a grey area. Although they can’t grow as much food, rooftop greenhouses need at least 70 per cent less energy for each square metre of growing area than artificially lit vertical farms.
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