Background

The University is supporting a scoping study into a research initiative focused on the Low Carbon Society, as part of the 2015 strategy which aims to establish three multidisciplinary centres of research excellence.

Interest in this area reflects the growing policy and research funding focus in the subject of climate change. While much of the research on climate change has so far centered on understanding its physical impact, there has been much less emphasis on understanding the broader implications of moving to a low-carbon society. The key issues in this area revolve around the development and deployment of new technology, the establishment of national and international political frameworks, the use of economic instruments, and behavioural change.

Over the last 18 months we have used a combination of inputs from the physical, the biological and the social sciences to explore these issues more widely. Academics from across all faculties of the university participated.

Useful links:

Research at WHRI: Agriculture & Climate Change: Impact, Mitigation, Adaptation

Research in Biological Sciences: Biology in a changing climate

University Environment Office