Climate experts to address policy challenges
Academics from across the University of Leeds will be undertaking new research or support roles to address policy challenges across local, regional and national levels.
Three of twelve new projects that have received Research England Policy Support Fund awards are focused on climate change.
Suraje Dessai – Secondment to Government Office for Science
Suraje Dessai, the Priestley Centre’s Deputy Director – Policy, has been appointed to a 3-month secondment with the Government Office for Science (GO-Science). In this role, Suraje will work with GO-Science and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to identify key research and innovation requirements needed to prepare the UK for a changing climate. This work contributes to the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework (CARIF) undertaken by the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Board (CARIB).
Unlocking policy for nature-based solutions
Joseph Holden, Megan Klaar, Samuel Ramsden, Finn Barlow-Duncan, Farhana Naz and Catherine Seal
Nature-based solutions use knowledge of natural processes to make environments more resilient to extremes. For example, increasing plant cover on hills can reduce downstream flooding, and increasing urban greenspace can ease pressure on sewage systems and trap pollutants. These solutions also improve mental health and wellbeing.
However, the UK is investing billions in hard engineering (e.g., concrete and bigger pipes) rather than nature-based solutions. This is despite the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan that requires changes in land management for landscape recovery, biodiversity, water quality, and net zero. This project aims to work with policy and industry bodies, including England’s 47 Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs), to unlock policy barriers using evidence-based approaches to support nature-based solutions that deliver economic and societal benefits, including reduced flood risk, better water quality, and lower carbon emissions.
Evaluating the impact of the ‘One-Stop-Shop’ model for climate hubs in Leeds as an innovative public asset to implement a just climate transition
Paul Chatterton, Rebecca Brunk, Marie Avril Berthet-Meylan and Sinead D’Silva
Leeds City Council has prioritized climate action since the city declared a climate emergency in 2019, with policies like the ‘Zero Carbon’ pillar of the Leeds Best City Ambition plan. Third sector organisations are key partners in achieving these goals, and this project will investigate their role in enabling a local climate response.
Using Climate Action Leeds’ central hub and a new community hub in Otley as case studies, the research will examine the impact of these spaces and how they enable on trust-building, community empowerment, and the co-production of a just transition in Leeds.
Challenge-led research for evidence-informed change
These challenge-driven projects will produce socially relevant and responsible research, responding to national and local policy priorities. Of the local projects, several are working to address the Leeds City Council’s Areas of Research Interest, which outline the council’s knowledge needs in areas of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, climate change and sustainability, and community impact.
These research teams will contribute to the strengthening of the evidence base for policy partners to design and deliver effective interventions and drive the required change.
As the new projects progress, Policy Leeds will be sharing updates and news relating to their findings and outputs. Follow along via Policy Leeds’ LinkedIn, Policy Leeds’ X, our Policy Leeds blog on Medium and on our website.
The projects will commence from 1 October 2024 and run simultaneously until July 2025. They will produce diverse outputs each with their own unique goals and research methodologies.
Main image; “Blurred Lines (Explored – 11/03/15)” by dolbinator1000 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.