Bringing environmental solutions to where they are needed
The green transition requires a significant system shift to prioritise climate and nature-related matters in all aspects of our society. Work is underway to assess the impacts on nature, and rethink energy sources, transport, infrastructure, finance and more. As a world leading centre for excellent science across water, land and air, UKCEH plays a vital role in informing the transition.
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has a long history of investigating, monitoring and modelling environmental change.
For example, we manage a UK-wide network of flux towers which measure the movement of carbon and greenhouse gases (GHG). The flux towers collect detailed data on gas exchanges between the land and the atmosphere throughout the year. This helps us to locate GHG emission hotspots and carbon sinks, so that we can develop new practical approaches that support progress towards net zero targets across all sectors.
UKCEH is part of the Land Use for Net Zero (LUNZ) Hub launched in January 2024, which brings together soil scientists, climate modellers, farmers, advisory organisations, NGOs and experts in afforestation, green finance, renewable energy and planning from across the four nations of the UK. This approach recognises that pathways for achieving net zero may differ depending on policies and land use across the UK.
Over the next three years, partners will work collaboratively to devise a range of solutions to making UK land use carbon neutral, including outlining financial costs associated with solutions and predicting their impacts on the environment and people.
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“Advanced modelling methodologies can predict the impacts of different interventions by governments and land managers. By involving a wide range of stakeholders, we will develop solutions that are fair and realistic, able to work in practice as well as theory.”
UKCEH takes a whole systems approach to understanding the environment, how it sustains life, and the human impact on it. We consider the wider implications and opportunities of nature-related actions to safeguard against unintended consequences. We also create clear co-benefits for biodiversity, soil health, water and air quality, as well as social and health improvements.
The work we are carrying out to support sustainable cities exemplifies our approach. We are informing better ways to develop and manage cities all around the world, so they enable people and nature to thrive. We provide solutions to tackle a wide range of urban environmental challenges, including net zero and green infrastructure targets, biodiversity net gain, air pollution, flood risk, heat risk, natural capital accounting, noise impacts and water quality.
