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

  • Raw uncooked seabass fish with vegetables, grains, herbs and spices on chopping board over rustic wooden background, photo by sonyakamoz/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Evaluation of the PATH-SAFE Programme

    Researchers are evaluating the UK Food Standards Agency's pilot Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment (PATH-SAFE) Programme to assess whether it is improving detection of pathogens in the agri-food system and to enhance its success with recommendations for management.

    08 Dec 2022

  • Nuclear power plant and cooling towers, photo by Daniel Prudek/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Evaluation of the UK's civil Nuclear Innovation Programme

    RAND Europe is leading a consortium to evaluate whether the Nuclear Innovation Programme has delivered on its intended outputs, how its achievements compare with expectations, and the barriers encountered by the programme in pursuit of its objectives.

    09 Nov 2022

  • Buildings equipped with photovoltaic panels, storage batteries, rainwater and wastewater recovery systems welcomed the first inhabitants in 2020, in Grenoble, France, photo by Joao Luiz Bulcao/Hans Lucas via Reuters

    Commentary

    Green Jobs and Skills Development for Disadvantaged Groups

    Many countries have plans to increase green job opportunities. To make sure that everyone can benefit from this promised green transition, it is important to understand how people with low qualifications, and other marginalised groups, might be able to access green jobs.

    08 Nov 2022

  • Female engineer reviewing maintenance of solar cells, photo by Johnstocker/Adobe Stock

    Project

    ‘Green’ jobs and skills development for disadvantaged groups

    People who face disadvantages, including those with low qualifications, may miss out on the opportunities presented by the transition to a greener economy. To ensure this is not the case, more targeted action is needed from relevant stakeholders, such as investing in skill-building among these populations.

    27 Oct 2022

  • Doctor with gloved hands holding a floating earth, photo by Treeha/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Advancing environmentally sustainable health research

    Researchers are mapping the existing tools and methods that aim to measure and/or improve the environmental sustainability of health research and assessing how these can be used and incorporated into Wellcome processes and decision-making.

    21 Oct 2022

  • Hands holding seedlings, implying modern sustainable agriculture, photo by Worawut/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Developing future scenarios for the sustainable use of pesticides

    There is a complex landscape surrounding pesticide use, which needs to be addressed holistically across all contexts, including political, legal, economic, societal, technological and environmental. The inherent variation across regions must also be considered, in an increasingly globalised context.

    12 Jul 2022

  • 30 Cdo RN, 30 Commando Royal Marines, Viking Squadron, Commando Logistic Regiment, Arctic, Armoured Support Group Royal Marines, Bardufoss, CETUS 20, Ex Cold Response, Norway, Personnel Carrier, Royal Marine Exercise, Royal Marine Unit, Snow and Ice Training, Viking, Weather, Climate, Snow, Snowing, Snowy, Cold, Freezing, Ice, Icy, Terrain, Environment, Landscape, Scenery, Wooded, Woods, Forest, International Training, Survival Training, Cold Weather Training, Arctic Survival Training, Action, Driving, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Personnel, Non-Identifiable, Unit, 3 Commando Brigade, 3 Cdo Bde RM, Equipment, Vehicles, Viking (BvS10), Armoured Personnel Vehicle

    Project

    UK strategy for the High North: Navigating a changing environment

    Researchers offer a perspective on how the UK could maximise its influence in the High North through enhanced cooperation across government and within multilateral fora in order to tackle environmental and geopolitical changes in the region.

    02 Feb 2022

  • 24 Commando Royal Engineers delivering ice survey training to members of the U.S. Marine Corps during Winter Deployment 21 in the Arctic, February 24, 2021, photo by UK MOD/© Crown copyright 2021

    Commentary

    A United Strategy Could Reap Rewards for the United Kingdom in the High North

    The multifaceted nature of Arctic policies, stretching from climate security and scientific cooperation to economic development and conflict mitigation, may require a whole-of-government approach from the United Kingdom. Such an approach could be necessary for the United Kingdom to appear a credible partner to Arctic countries and other third parties.

    02 Feb 2022

  • Geirangerfjord in Norway, a Unesco World Heritage site, photo by MyWorld/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Tackling societal challenges and guiding the future of research and innovation in Norway

    Researchers identified 20 priority missions and 10 structural measures that could help the Research Council of Norway to develop a strong and resilient research and innovation environment across a range of strategic areas.

    09 Aug 2021

  • High speed train at the railway station at sunset, photo by den-belitsky/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Decarbonising UK transport

    A series of seven roadmaps for decarbonising domestic transport in the UK informed the UK Government’s 2021 Transport Decarbonisation Plan. These roadmaps address: cars and light goods vehicles; buses; coaches; heavy goods vehicles; rail; domestic shipping; and domestic aviation

    15 Jul 2021

  • Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in flooded Staines-Upon-Thames, photo by Cpl Richard Cave LBPPA/Crown Copyright CC BY-NC 2.0

    Multimedia

    Expert Insights: Crisis Response in a Changing Climate

    In this audio conversation, senior analyst Lucia Retter is joined by Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, the nonexecutive director for climate change and sustainability for UK Defence, to discuss a study on the implications of climate change for UK defence logistics in crisis response situations.

    04 Jun 2021

  • Plant growing out of a book, photo by beeboys/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Assessing the consistency of UK climate risk approaches with new ISO guidelines

    Research for the UK Climate Resilience Programme aims to help organisations in the UK determine which guidance documents are most appropriate for their purposes and whether existing documents might be updated to reduce inconsistencies with ISO guidelines and strengthen weaknesses.

    28 May 2021

  • Reservists from 7 Battalion, The Rifles Reinforcing a Dam During Flooding, photo by Cpl Richard Cave LBPPA/Defence Images

    Project

    Crisis response in a changing climate

    Researchers identified climate change challenges likely to emerge and propose five concrete policy actions that the UK Ministry of Defence could take to mitigate the impact of climate change on crisis response situations.

    04 May 2021

  • Electric vehicle at charging station, photo by scharfsinn86 J&K/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Identifying patterns and factors affecting adoption of electric vehicles across the UK

    Researchers examined patterns of electric vehicles adoption across the country to help locate areas where investment in electric repair and servicing skills is needed.

    01 Mar 2021

  • Woman shopping for organic produce in delicatessen, photo by Monkey Business Images/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Consumer behaviours and attitudes to food in the UK

    The way people buy food is changing, and the sales of ethical and sustainable produce have increased. Eating food from outside the home is increasingly common, and what people consume still falls short of dietary guidelines. The reasons vary, and several policy levers may exist to influence people's food choices.

    26 Jun 2020