Environmental Sustainability

Using evidence-based analysis to support decisionmakers working to ensure environmental sustainability and navigate the socio-economic implications of a changing climate.

Research, commentary, and events

  • A Merlin helicopter comes in to drop off a Remover 3.1 mast during a snowy morning whilst on a helicopter flight trial at JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton, photo by 1st SAC David Turnbull/Royal Air Force Open Government License

    Project

    Implications of climate change for UK defence and security

    Looking to 2035, the Ministry of Defence could play a key role in developing robust policy and programming on climate change. Researchers identified six high-level recommendations to support the MOD in developing an approach to address climate-related issues.

    17 Jun 2020

  • Senior scientist observes new breed of cress sprouts optimized for consumption in greenhouse

    Project

    Using foresight to examine the global food system

    Based on a series of foresight exercises for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), researchers developed a global food systems map, a map of systemic interdependencies, and a framework for future action to help the FSA achieve its goals.

    18 Nov 2019

  • visual, icon, agriculture, technology, farming, smart, field, tablet, farmer, computer, agricultural, digital, internet, nature, people, sensor, wheat, plant, farm, network, man, crop, using, green, concept, natural, modern, harvest, background, sensors, food, male, vintage, agronomist, vegetable, read, report, analysis, person, plantation, summer, business, equipment, grass, outdoor

    Project

    Technology's potential to tackle climate change in global agri-food systems

    A pilot study identified trends, opportunities and constraints in the use of emerging technologies to address climate-related challenges within the agri-food system. The findings will help to inform and test the potential for future research on the topic.

    06 Nov 2019

  • Moorland near Daliburgh in South Uist, The Outer Hebrides

    Project

    Agricultural ammonia emissions carry steep costs

    Ammonia emissions in the UK have been rising since 2013, largely due to agricultural waste and fertiliser runoff. By 2020 the impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health may total over £700 million per year.

    17 Sep 2018

  • Berlin by night

    Project

    Mapping Smart Cities in the EU

    The European Parliament asked RAND Europe to provide background information and advice to their members on the role of Smart Cities initiatives and to explain how existing mechanisms perform. The researchers established a working definition of a Smart City and mapped the cities fitting this definition across the member states.

    25 Mar 2014