Opportunities for Climate Mitigation and Sustainable Development (OPTIMISM)
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Centre for Environmental Policy
Abstract
This project addresses the challenge of how we can make sure that rapid and extensive action to mitigate climate change can be leveraged to deliver both Agenda 2030 and a well below 1.5o C world. The project takes a whole system perspective. It uses the sustainable development goal framework to analyse (i) how interactions between human development and the environment change with rapid and extensive climate mitigation, and (ii) how policy and practice interventions informed by a better understanding of enabling interactions can come together to create transformational change.
As decision-makers implement policies to reduce carbon emissions, the choice of policy measures and interventions will have profound implications on the SDGs and how they can be achieved. The integrated assessment model (IAM) scenarios developed for the IPCC Special Report on 1.5oC identify essential transitions that will require rapid, extensive and unprecedented change that impacts both the Earth system and human development. These transitions include:
- Rapid decarbonisation of industry - including hard to decarbonise sectors
- Dramatic increases in renewable energy - including 100% renewable energy networks
- Extensive land use and dietary change to meet demand for food and other ecosystem services
- Rapid decarbonisation of transport and modal shifts to public transport
For some sectors, mitigation transitions will provide significant co-benefits with achieving the SDGs. For example, promoting dietary changes could contribute to achieving goal 2 (zero hunger) and goal 15 (life on land). Safe and decarbonised public transport, can improve gender equity (goal 5) and health (goal 3) and reduce poverty (goal 1). In other cases, mitigation transitions can present substantial risks and trade-offs. For example, renewable energy networks based on bioenergy can have negative impacts on food security (goal 2) and biodiversity (goal 15). In this context, it becomes vital to expose hidden trade-offs and synergies to avoid unintended consequence.
Because many of the interactions between SDGs are non-linear over time and space, it is essential that decision makers have a systemic understanding of the thresholds and tipping points associated with delivering and motivating the technological and societal change required to mitigate climate in the short, medium and long term. For this reason, this project will work across multiple dimensions: scales, sectors and disciplines to address the evolution and dynamics of environment-human relationships for all SDGs and translate this knowledge into action.
As decision-makers implement policies to reduce carbon emissions, the choice of policy measures and interventions will have profound implications on the SDGs and how they can be achieved. The integrated assessment model (IAM) scenarios developed for the IPCC Special Report on 1.5oC identify essential transitions that will require rapid, extensive and unprecedented change that impacts both the Earth system and human development. These transitions include:
- Rapid decarbonisation of industry - including hard to decarbonise sectors
- Dramatic increases in renewable energy - including 100% renewable energy networks
- Extensive land use and dietary change to meet demand for food and other ecosystem services
- Rapid decarbonisation of transport and modal shifts to public transport
For some sectors, mitigation transitions will provide significant co-benefits with achieving the SDGs. For example, promoting dietary changes could contribute to achieving goal 2 (zero hunger) and goal 15 (life on land). Safe and decarbonised public transport, can improve gender equity (goal 5) and health (goal 3) and reduce poverty (goal 1). In other cases, mitigation transitions can present substantial risks and trade-offs. For example, renewable energy networks based on bioenergy can have negative impacts on food security (goal 2) and biodiversity (goal 15). In this context, it becomes vital to expose hidden trade-offs and synergies to avoid unintended consequence.
Because many of the interactions between SDGs are non-linear over time and space, it is essential that decision makers have a systemic understanding of the thresholds and tipping points associated with delivering and motivating the technological and societal change required to mitigate climate in the short, medium and long term. For this reason, this project will work across multiple dimensions: scales, sectors and disciplines to address the evolution and dynamics of environment-human relationships for all SDGs and translate this knowledge into action.
Planned Impact
The TaSE programme aims to promote research on scalable, integrated approaches and solutions that can speak to decision-makers and citizens around the world. Our hypothesis in this project is that an improved understanding of dynamic interactions between SDG targets and climate mitigation can improve interventions design and selection. Aware that research achieves impact, benefitting ultimate beneficiaries, through non-linear and iterative pathways, we suggest that due to the broad scope of the project in terms of geographies, sectors, cultures and methodologies, the development of impact strategies will need to be adapted to the socio,-economic, environmental and cultural conditions of each case study.
In each of the four case studies, we will initiate the process with a stakeholder mapping exercise employing a review of the literature and our expert knowledge. Following that we will employ the results of the mapping exercise to identify decision makers considered critical for implementation. These groups will be engaged through workshop events and in-person interviews to co-design case-study specific impact strategies. This process will rely on two key elements: the definition of a 'theory of change' and a set of activities to promote impact. The theory of change is an approach used to guide project planning, describing the way in which overall objectives will be achieved by mapping inputs, activities and outcomes. By employing this approach we will develop impacts strategies flexible and adaptable to the changing circumstances in the case studies. The chosen set of activities to engage and increase uptake of the research will be customized based on the type of targeted beneficiaries and the features of each case study.
The project's ultimate beneficiaries are people who will suffer from the trade-offs generated by rapid and extensive mitigation of climate change on the opportunity for sustainable development of their country, communities and families. The assumption underlying this proposal is that failures of governance, which lead to trade-offs and unwanted impacts, are due to a lack of understanding of dynamic interactions between climate policies and SDG targets. As an explorative project, our main pathway to impact is through knowledge development and exchange with intermediary beneficiaries who have the power to develop and implement solutions that tackle governance failures. These include policy makers at international, country and local level will benefit from increased understanding of what works and the implications of the research for existing policies. A range of interactions both at international, national and local level will facilitate engagement in project activities and dissemination of results, e.g. through the production of policy briefs to share learning with practitioners and policy makers. This will translate policy relevant knowledge from the academic arena to a language and format that is intelligible to non-experts. Civil society organisations will be equipped with new knowledge regarding the impacts of climate mitigation on key SDGs allowing them to advocate for more equitable management of climate policy. One key element, which characterises this project, is the use of knowledge co-development activities to build a network of engaged participants - researchers, policy-makers and practitioners.
In each of the four case studies, we will initiate the process with a stakeholder mapping exercise employing a review of the literature and our expert knowledge. Following that we will employ the results of the mapping exercise to identify decision makers considered critical for implementation. These groups will be engaged through workshop events and in-person interviews to co-design case-study specific impact strategies. This process will rely on two key elements: the definition of a 'theory of change' and a set of activities to promote impact. The theory of change is an approach used to guide project planning, describing the way in which overall objectives will be achieved by mapping inputs, activities and outcomes. By employing this approach we will develop impacts strategies flexible and adaptable to the changing circumstances in the case studies. The chosen set of activities to engage and increase uptake of the research will be customized based on the type of targeted beneficiaries and the features of each case study.
The project's ultimate beneficiaries are people who will suffer from the trade-offs generated by rapid and extensive mitigation of climate change on the opportunity for sustainable development of their country, communities and families. The assumption underlying this proposal is that failures of governance, which lead to trade-offs and unwanted impacts, are due to a lack of understanding of dynamic interactions between climate policies and SDG targets. As an explorative project, our main pathway to impact is through knowledge development and exchange with intermediary beneficiaries who have the power to develop and implement solutions that tackle governance failures. These include policy makers at international, country and local level will benefit from increased understanding of what works and the implications of the research for existing policies. A range of interactions both at international, national and local level will facilitate engagement in project activities and dissemination of results, e.g. through the production of policy briefs to share learning with practitioners and policy makers. This will translate policy relevant knowledge from the academic arena to a language and format that is intelligible to non-experts. Civil society organisations will be equipped with new knowledge regarding the impacts of climate mitigation on key SDGs allowing them to advocate for more equitable management of climate policy. One key element, which characterises this project, is the use of knowledge co-development activities to build a network of engaged participants - researchers, policy-makers and practitioners.
Publications
Baudry G
(2023)
An interactive model to assess pathways for agriculture and food sector contributions to country-level net-zero targets
in Communications Earth & Environment
Bricout A
(2022)
From the geopolitics of oil and gas to the geopolitics of the energy transition: Is there a role for European supermajors?
in Energy Research & Social Science
Calvin K
(2021)
Bioenergy for climate change mitigation: Scale and sustainability
in GCB Bioenergy
Carvalho F
(2021)
Prospects for carbon-neutral maritime fuels production in Brazil
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Clora F
(2021)
Impacts of supply-side climate change mitigation practices and trade policy regimes under dietary transition: the case of European agriculture
in Environmental Research Letters
Costa L
(2021)
The decarbonisation of Europe powered by lifestyle changes
in Environmental Research Letters
Di Lucia L
(2021)
Decision-making fitness of methods to understand Sustainable Development Goal interactions
in Nature Sustainability
Description | This project developed and applied an n interactive model ARISE (AgRIculture and food SystEm interactive model) which allows stakeholders to design complementary food and agriculture sector pathways and build consensus. As a first case study, we provided an environment-oriented NGO assessment of a UK agroecology pathway and evaluate the benefits in comparison with alternative pathways available in the literature and developed by the UK Government. This shows how the ARISE model can enable the exploration of critical trade-offs between the multiple sustainability objectives. |
Exploitation Route | The ARISE modelling platform has the potential to be applied by diverse stakeholders including in academia and by NGO's |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Education Environment |
Description | The project results and ARISE model have been used by the European Environmental Bureau . a non-governmental organization (NGO) that brings together 170 civil society organisations in 35 European countries. The model provided them with the means to develop their own pathway for the UK food and agriculture system. The design and learning process enabled the NGO to think, explore, highlight, and consider the trade-offs between multiple and sometimes conflicting sustainability objectives. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Environment |
Description | Global Goal 2020 team in Utrecht |
Organisation | Utrecht University |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with Global Goal 2020 team in Utrecht working on the SDG Scientific Midterm Assessment to be published in spring 2022. We will contribute to Chapter 7 on Indicators and methods (https://globalgoalsproject.eu/sdg-assessment/) |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration with Global Goal 2020 team in Utrecht working on the SDG Scientific Midterm Assessment to be published in spring 2022. We will contribute to Chapter 7 on Indicators and methods (https://globalgoalsproject.eu/sdg-assessment/) |
Impact | comprehensive assessment of all the scholarly knowledge on the steering effects of the Sustainable Development Goals: |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Partnership with Gujarat State Government |
Organisation | Government of India |
Department | Government of Gujarat |
Country | India |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Stakeholder workshops |
Collaborator Contribution | 'The India team has obtained support from the Gujarat State Government to facilitate activities undertaken as part of the OPTIMISM project (Task 5) . The State government has agreed to support the OPTIMISM project work by facilitating contact with the local government in the case study cities and participate in the stakeholder meetings that will be organised in late 2020 |
Impact | Pending |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | millenium institute |
Organisation | Millennium Institute |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with researchers at Stockholm Environmet Institute and Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development to conduct an evaluation of SDG assessment tools and methods |
Collaborator Contribution | Expert input into review of methods |
Impact | paper on methods |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | 'Learning from COVID-19: Linking Climate and Resilience of Cities', at Workshop on COVID-19, Climate Change and Cities: Learning from the Pandemic' organised by Global Centre for Environment and Energy, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, October 27, 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | workshop on climate change, cities and Covid. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Food Systems and Climate Neutrality, Lisbon Agri Conference (29/11/2021) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference presentation by Joana Portugal |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Key note speaker - Mitigation of climate change in small and isolated islands towards sustainable development: challenges in Azores Autonomous region", Parliament of Azores region (ALRAA) (03/12/2021). |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Key note speaker - Mitigation of climate change in small and isolated islands towards sustainable development: challenges in Azores Autonomous region" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Research Seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | 19 Postgraduate students attended a seminar on the project at the University of Ahmedabad, fostering a discussion about implementation of Sustainable development goals. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Speaker in a Panel 'Future of Mobility through Local Innovation and Transport Solutions' at Conference of Parties (COP) 26, Glasgow, Organised by UK Department of Transport, November 10, 2021. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Disseminate information on the role of cities in Climate change mitigation and planning. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8e3MQZFWYc&ab_channel=UKGovernment |
Description | What Climate Strategy for European Forests? Rethinking their contribution to climate neutrality |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | "What Climate Strategy for European Forests? Rethinking their contribution to climate neutrality"; July 15th, 2020, organized by NGOs: FERN & Canopée; The European Calculator: A user-friendly tool to explore sustainable futures / A focus on the land-use, land-use change and forestry modelling framework. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Workshop for policy makers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Result Description Insights into key strategies and success rates of the various initiatives deployed during the pandemic. Most important impact:Case study development for best practices of managing the pandemic |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://ahduni.edu.in/academics/schools-centres/global-centre-for-environment-and-energy/events/covi... |
Description | a. Online national-level consultation on methodology on 7th July 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Expert input into research methodology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |