Two new research projects involving the University of Strathclyde are aiming to put people and communities at the heart of the transition to net zero.
Researchers from the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Strathclyde are partners in JUST-Systems (Accelerating a Just Transition), a £5.7 million project designed to develop practical pathways and accelerate action that builds on community aspirations for sustainable, liveable and resilient places.
Researchers from the Hunter Centre are also working on People-Led Net Zero, a £4.8 million programme developing a people-led, practical, systems-based approach, which enables organisations to achieve a prosperous, sustainable, timely, resilient and just transition to net zero.
The projects are funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) under its Systems Approaches to Net Zero funding call. Both grants represent a significant success for the Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities (SISC), an initiative between the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Business School launched in 2024.
JUST-Systems, led by the University of Aberdeen, will identify opportunities to accelerate decarbonisation while addressing societal challenges on fuel poverty, sustainable local economies, wellbeing and social justice.
Living standards
Strathclyde is to lead on one of the project’s five case studies. Alongside East Ayrshire Council and the Community Renewable Energy Project (CoRE), researchers will explore approaches to transforming energy systems in the region to make former coal mining communities better connected and healthier, while improving living standards.
Dr Jennifer Roberts, co-investigator in the project and SISC’s Deputy Director, said:
The transition to a sustainable society presents opportunities for communities that offer more than net zero carbon. These opportunities may differ with context, community and place but may not be maximised unless we take a people-centred approach to decision making for sustainability.
“JUST-Systems is exciting as it takes this whole system perspective, tailored to place and in collaboration with communities, so we can share and accelerate learnings at a critical time.”
People-Led Net Zero, led by the University of Bath, will feature four test cases which will build on existing research and industry needs. They will cover: the decommissioning of the former Dounreay nuclear plant (with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority); decarbonisation of office buildings in Bath and north-east Somerset; Mobility as a Service in Bath and north-east Somerset, and novel food production (with the Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub).
Unique characteristics
Professor Matthew Hannon, Director of SISC, will be principal investigator in JUST-Systems, while Associate Principal Professor Jillian MacBryde has the same role in People-Led Net Zero.
Professor Hannon said: "Too often, when designing net-zero solutions, we forget about the people these solutions are meant to serve. Instead, there is an emphasis on ‘one-size fits all’ solutions that do not accommodate for the unique characteristics of different people, residing in different places.
To ensure that people are fully bought into realising a net-zero transition, it is essential that net-zero solutions are designed with the people, and for the people. This project aims to provide the evidence, methods and tools to help formulate people-led net zero solutions that prioritise human needs and working patterns.
Professor Louise Heathwaite, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Executive Chair and UKRI Executive Champion for Building a Green Future, said: “The journey towards net zero carbon emissions is one of our most urgent and complex national challenges, so it’s important to understand the effects at a systems level of the many different component parts working together.
“Through these projects, UKRI aims to drive outputs that support a just, prosperous, sustainable and resilient net zero transition, removing barriers to interventions whilst at the same time avoiding unintended consequences.”