Substantial investment is being poured into world-class R&D projects to support sustainable living in the UK.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has committed just under £170m towards the projects, focused on climate change, green economic growth and healthy, green living.
The funding will also support large-scale transformation of the way land is used and managed in farming, forestry and peat uplands.
There’s also a big boost for the UK’s global network of environmental science research centres.
A UKRI spokesman says the investment will help guarantee national security to environmental hazards, boost green economic growth and build understanding of climate change for many years to come.
Projects include:
Over £100 million to bolster the long-term support offered to UK environmental sciences’ global monitoring capability in atmospheric, marine, polar, freshwater, and terrestrial environments.
£25 million for five new centres in Scotland, Wales and South West England, co-created between industry, academia and local stakeholders to upscale and adopt clean, green commercial solutions at local, regional and national levels, ranging from retrofit housing and electronics manufacturing to algae production and a more sustainable approach to critical minerals’ mining.
£14.5 million investment in five UK research and innovation projects that will transform land use, re-think soil system health and carbon dynamics and reduce agricultural emissions.
£30 million to establish new research hubs to ensure the best opportunity for improved health and wellbeing as part of the transition to a net zero carbon economy. This project is co-funded by UKRI and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Challenge areas experts at the hubs will explore include indoor air quality; transport and the built environment; sustainable healthy diets; extreme weather; and how to make an NHS fit for the future by reducing carbon emissions in health and social care.
Overall, the funding will support new jobs, green growth and innovation across the UK, from Glasgow to Cornwall, as well as underpinning UK-led expertise across the world.
Louise Heathwaite, UKRI Executive sponsor for Building a Green Future, said, “This exciting series of investments underlines UKRI’s ongoing commitment to building a green future for families, communities, businesses and across our whole society.
‘Working with others, it builds on our broader £800 million-a-year research and innovation portfolio where we deliver on national priorities, transform behaviours and unlock solutions essential to achieving net zero in the UK by 2050.”
