Delivering net zero - the role of research
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of Earth and Environment
Abstract
The UK needs to continue the rapid transition from a high carbon society to one where GHG emissions are close to zero. It is essential that the best available evidence and insights from multiple disciplines are available to guide such a rapid transition. Due to the speed of the transition, there is a serious concern that decisions could be made without drawing on the best available scientific evidence and without appreciating the need for a whole systems approach. For many years, the EPSRC, along with other Research Councils, have funded research to develop new low carbon technologies. They have also funded centres that have adopted an inter-disciplinary approach to appreciate the necessary changes in the energy system and the wider social and economic implications of achieving emissions reductions. While this funded research has had many notable impacts on decisions related to energy and climate policy within Government and other stakeholders, these are often piecemeal and highly dependent on the networks developed by individuals.
The academic community has never spoken with a coordinated voice to provide clarity to decision makers on the essential changes required to rapidly reduce UK emissions, while external stakeholders currently struggle to access and exploit the research that can inform their decisions. While a full consensus would never be entirely possible, due to underlying differences across disciplines and sectors in how to frame and understand the problem, it is important to provide space to explore where consensus and disagreements does currently exist, while also providing insights into the underlying paradigms that guide diverse responses to the climate crisis.
This project employs deliberative methods to develop points of consensus and disagreement among stakeholders, and approach that is becoming increasingly recognised as a valuable tool to help develop both energy and climate policy.
The aim of this project is to ensure that the research funded by the UKRI Energy and Decarbonisation Programme has the maximum opportunity to inform and guide the response of UK decision makers to climate change. By the end of the project, a shared vision will be developed that outlines a narrative for net zero in the short term (next 10 years) and the long term (the following 10 years) by leading UK academics and others. It will also identify those areas in which consensus cannot be achieved, clarifying where further research, wider engagement, or political interventions to prioritise key ethical principles or contested values, might serve to help such conflict. The desired outcome is to create a situation whereby rapid but above all robust decisions made in the UK are informed by the most advanced research on climate mitigation.
While the project is centred on achieving impact, we will develop a robust methodology based on deliberative methods to ensure the output of academic publications. The project offers opportunities to advance methodologies, explore the use of evidence in decision making and the dynamics of engaging with diverse stakeholders.
The academic community has never spoken with a coordinated voice to provide clarity to decision makers on the essential changes required to rapidly reduce UK emissions, while external stakeholders currently struggle to access and exploit the research that can inform their decisions. While a full consensus would never be entirely possible, due to underlying differences across disciplines and sectors in how to frame and understand the problem, it is important to provide space to explore where consensus and disagreements does currently exist, while also providing insights into the underlying paradigms that guide diverse responses to the climate crisis.
This project employs deliberative methods to develop points of consensus and disagreement among stakeholders, and approach that is becoming increasingly recognised as a valuable tool to help develop both energy and climate policy.
The aim of this project is to ensure that the research funded by the UKRI Energy and Decarbonisation Programme has the maximum opportunity to inform and guide the response of UK decision makers to climate change. By the end of the project, a shared vision will be developed that outlines a narrative for net zero in the short term (next 10 years) and the long term (the following 10 years) by leading UK academics and others. It will also identify those areas in which consensus cannot be achieved, clarifying where further research, wider engagement, or political interventions to prioritise key ethical principles or contested values, might serve to help such conflict. The desired outcome is to create a situation whereby rapid but above all robust decisions made in the UK are informed by the most advanced research on climate mitigation.
While the project is centred on achieving impact, we will develop a robust methodology based on deliberative methods to ensure the output of academic publications. The project offers opportunities to advance methodologies, explore the use of evidence in decision making and the dynamics of engaging with diverse stakeholders.
Organisations
Publications
Bellamy R
(2021)
Editorial: Governing Carbon Dioxide Removal
in Frontiers in Climate
Carr-Whitworth R
(2022)
Delivering Net Zero: Key Themes from Public, Private, and Third Sector Stakeholders
Carr-Whitworth R
(2022)
Delivering Net Zero Final Synthesis Report
Carr-Whitworth R
(2023)
Delivering net zero in the UK: twelve conditions for success
in Environmental Research Letters
Carr-Whitworth R
(2021)
Delivering Net Zero: Key Themes from the Academic Community
Delivering Net Zero
(2021)
Delivering Net Zero: Greenhouse Gas Removal
Delivering Net Zero
(2021)
Delivering Net Zero: Carbon Budgets
Delivering Net Zero
(2021)
Delivering Net Zero: Social Change
Delivering Net Zero
(2021)
Delivering Net Zero: Energy Supply
Delivering Net Zero
(2021)
Delivering Net Zero: Energy Demand
| Description | The UK needs to continue the rapid transition from a high carbon society to one where GHG emissions are close to zero in the shortest amount of time possible. The aim of this project was to produce a shared vision of how to deliver net zero in the short term (next 10 years) and the longer term (the following 10 years) by bringing together leading UK academics and other stakeholders. Over the course of a series of eight workshops, structured in three phases of data collection, participants from the research, private, public, and third sectors debated what will be required for the UK to deliver a net zero future. The key objectives of the project were to investigate whether a broad narrative for change exists, to clarify points where consensus might be lacking, and to explore the underlying reasons for difference. The project also sought to identify those areas in which consensus cannot be achieved, clarifying where further research, wider engagement, or political interventions might serve to help resolve such conflict. Fundamentally, there was agreement that the elements of change will need to integrate social and technological system change, tailored to an understanding of the local requirements that will facilitate rapid deployment of solutions. However, working across the data it becomes clear that the existence of a range of alternative views means that a single pathway for change is yet to emerge. While not fully capturing all the opinions shared, two broad narratives can be used to make sense of the discourse elicited in the workshops: NARRATIVE 1: On the one hand there is a narrative which stresses that existing institutional and economic structures are difficult to change, that cultural and societal norms are slow-moving, and demonstrates a commitment to the idea of economic growth. To some extent this is aligned with traditional ideas of 'ecological modernisation', a school of thought which argues that economic growth is reconcilable with environmental protection through the reform of political and economic institutions. However, this narrative goes well beyond that idea. It emphasises a range of changes to technology, economy and society in ways which seek to manage transition risks, deliver substantial co-benefits and minimise unfair distributional aspects of change, while also building social legitimacy through societal engagement. Responding to climate change in this context would mean that fragmented and incremental change is a limitation of the system we are working within and may ultimately constrain the ability to achieve net zero targets. Put differently, this narrative did not provide a theory of change which demonstrated how net zero could be achieved within the limited timescale available. Overall, this narrative was prominent among participants from the private and public sector, funders, and some researchers. NARRATIVE 2: The alternative narrative places greater emphasis on the scale and urgency of the climate challenge, picking up on more radical themes within the workshops. Whilst the positions in this narrative were diverse, it emphasised the need to activate rapid processes of social and technological change, moving away from current growth assumptions and unsustainable consumption patterns, and for some participants, a commitment to social justice as a core objective of the UK's net-zero policy. Embedded within this narrative is a belief that this is the only way to deliver net zero in the timeframe available. The challenging nature of this narrative was recognised with gaps identified around how to deliver the changes it articulated, and divided opinion over the wider role and importance of societal engagement. This framing was most prominent among some participants from the research community and the third sector. Importantly, these two narratives are not entirely mutually exclusive. Consensus sits where there is cross-over between them. Significant areas of overlap exist suggesting a range of short-term actions and policies. These include the rapid deployment of existing solutions alongside continued learning, upskilling the workforce and capacity building, developing appropriate funding and business models, and defining the roles and responsibilities of actors. This leads to a series of recommendations that support areas of action where consensus existed: 1. ACT NOW: There are a range of solutions that are ready, effective and scalable; improving building efficiency, deploying heat pumps and district heating, electrifying transport, expanding public and active transport infrastructure, decarbonising and expanding the electricity system, and implementing nature-based greenhouse gas removal techniques. These need to be rapidly deployed, whilst considering the interconnectedness of different solutions to understand the impact of immediate delivery and the consequences in the short, medium and long term. 2. TRANSITION PATHWAYS: There are a number of possible net-zero pathways, each of which create different co-benefits and unintended consequences. Solutions that deliver on the cross-sectoral desire for urgent action also need to clarify who pays and who benefits. This requires openness and transparency around the economic, social and environmental implications of different net zero pathways. 3. COMPETING NARRATIVES: Key contentions are prominent on issues such as economic growth, just transitions, urgency and timescales, social legitimacy, and roles and actors. In response, UKRI research should be shaped to understand these differences and their motivations, bring evidence to the debate, and prevent them from becoming discourses of delay. 4. IMPORTANCE OF PLACE: Solutions need to take account of the very different options and consequences of a net zero transition for diverse communities in different geographical locations, both nationally and internationally. Spatial dimensions are not outcomes but are intrinsically part of the process of decarbonisation. 5. MONITOR AND EVALUATE: The impact of both individual change initiatives and the broader net zero transition must be understood. Research is needed to establish and mitigate any unintended consequences with respect to justice, equity and the social legitimacy of specific solutions. 6. COMMUNICATE OUTCOMES: Sharing learning and best practice is essential. The outcomes of pilot and demonstration activities, both successes and failures, should be communicated to increase understanding of the necessary steps to net zero. This will show progress, create transparency and maintain motivation, enable replication, and avoid repetition of mistakes. 7. ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT: There is potential for improving and widening public engagement and participation as part of generating political momentum for policy change. This requires actively engaging with local and diverse communities to understand and shape the changes that are likely to happen in the transition to net zero. 8. CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS: Clear governance structures are essential. Define roles and responsibilities for individuals, governments, companies and others involved in delivering net zero, matching these to available resources. This should improve accountability and increase diversity of opportunity ensuring more effective outcomes. 9. REALISING A FAIR AND JUST TRANSITION: Achieving a 'just transition' requires 'fair and legitimate' decision-making processes. This involves empowering communities, particularly those who are marginalised or disproportionately impacted by the transition, to participate in shaping how the transition occurs. 10. POWER AND VESTED INTERESTS: There are institutions and individuals who downplay the possibility for technological and social transformations in achieving net zero. This should be explicitly recognised, its impact identified and action taken where appropriate. 11. SKILLS, TRAINING AND EDUCATION: The net zero transition requires upskilling and capacity building in the workforce and governments. This is a crucial component of a fair and just transition as well as providing the necessary supply chains to deploy, monitor and enforce low carbon solutions. 12. WHOLE SYSTEM APPROACH: The total sum of all the individual actions matter to ensure the delivery of net zero. Cross sector dialogue is required to understand interactions and how systemic and strategic planning of net zero actions will happen. This is just as relevant to the research sector as it is to the government and the private sector. 13. REVIEW THE FUNDING LANDSCAPE: Research funding needs to address the urgency of delivery, particularly from areas other than novel supply-side technologies. Take stock of the range, effectiveness, equality and diversity of existing net zero research investments and explore opportunities for investment from a wider range of sources. 14. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH: No single discipline or theory can answer the net zero challenge in isolation. UKRI must provide strong support for interdisciplinary research and create greater clarity on the role of the research community in the delivery and implementation of net zero. 15. INCENTIVISE COLLABORATION: Effective collaboration between public, private and research sectors is vital to the delivery of net zero. Specific schemes should be established that encourage secondments and other exchanges of personnel and capability between and within sectors relevant to net zero, with an emphasis on diversity. 16. REWARD IMPACT: Academic institutions undervalue the importance of broader engagement needed to achieve net zero targets. The rewards for delivering effective academic impact should be greater, so that researchers can prioritise activities that drive change. This will involve engagement with a range of stakeholders including public, private and third sector actors. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this funding are widely relevant to policy makers at the regional, national, and international levels. There are also a wide range of insights that will be useful in shaping the funding landscape in the UK. The project team will continue to disseminate the research findings and will pursue avenues for future collaboration. The project data will also be useful and the intention is for all data to be accessible in the UK Data Service's ReShare Repository from 1 January 2024. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Energy Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://www.deliveringnetzero.org/ |
| Description | The project has now finished and the final report and papers have been widely disseminated. We have continued to arrange meetings with a number of organisations who have interest in the findings including DESNZ, CCC and other academics. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Delivering Net Zero - Stakeholder Engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | DNZ Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder engagement has been an important aspect of the Delivering Net Zero (DNZ) Project. The methodology used for the project has relied heavily on carefully managed interactions with a wide range of stakeholder groups both to gather data and to ensure broad delivery of impact from the work. To this end there have been two parallel processes for stakeholder engagement in operation: Stakeholder engagement for impact delivery Three tiers of stakeholder were identified requiring different levels of engagement and communication activity Primary Stakeholders - those with whom we wish to proactively engage in priority order to develop relationships and understand their perspectives and needs. Knowledge and communications narratives will be shaped to meet these needs. Our Advisory Group is a specific example of this type of stakeholder. Secondary Stakeholders - those with whom we wish to proactively engage, providing key messages that communicate clear, generic knowledge and narratives. We will monitor how they respond to these messages. Tertiary Stakeholders - those to whom we will simply 'broadcast' clear, generic knowledge and narratives through appropriate channels. To support this structure we developed a detailed communications plan which included the early development of a professionally designed website and professionally supported media campaigns along with developing a strong presence on social media. Stakeholder engagement for data collection Recruitment of workshop participants was an important part of the project's methodology which went through full ethical approval. Workshop participants were sought from a diverse range of stakeholder groups involved in energy and climate policy research and implementation including the research community; public, private and third sectors; and the funding and investment communities. The selection process involved the following steps: Identification of individuals from existing networks that fit the broad "person specification" identified below Consultation with key UKRI Energy and Decarbonisation Programme investments. This involves contacting the UKRI Energy Programme staff to consider all the major investments, make contact with these centres / projects Include all the relevant fellowships funded by NERC, EPSRC and EPSRC Ask the Advisory Board to add additional names to the list Person specification for addition to this "long list": Pragmatic - engages with decision making processes based on best available data and ideas Open-minded - adopts an approach that shows respect for other participant's opinions Holistic - objective consideration of specialist knowledge in a whole energy system context Specific capabilities - understanding of system interactions and/or relevant specialism Decision making - comfortable with uncertainty and the role of risk in robust processes Potential participants were then evaluated against a set of "diversity criteria" before being invited to participate in the workshops: Gender Balance across career stages (from early career through to those in senior leadership roles) Ethnicity Need to achieve an appropriate balance between disciplines and subject areas represented In all, these two processes have so far led to the project interacting with over 450 individuals. Around 190 of these are following the project on social media, but to date (Feb 2022) there have been more than 260 direct contacts: 7 members of our Advisory Group 9 reviewers of background documents around 40 direct engagements and information exchanges about the project 35 participants in workshop pilots |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022 |
| Description | Delivering Net Zero Report Launch and panel at EPSRC Energy Showcase meeting, 21 June 2022. |
| 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 | Delivering Net Zero Report Launch and panel at EPSRC Energy Showcase meeting, 21 June 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon Presentation at US National Academy of Sciences Symposium, Understanding the Societal Challenges of Nuclear Power, 1st September 2021. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon Presentation at US National Academy of Sciences Symposium, Understanding the Societal Challenges of Nuclear Power, 1st September 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://livestream.com/accounts/7036396/events/9775108/videos/225556425 |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon Presentation: Royal Academy of Engineering EUROCASE Conference. Delivering a just transition across Europe. 26th November 2021. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon Presentation: Royal Academy of Engineering EUROCASE Conference. Delivering a just transition across Europe. 26th November 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.raeng.org.uk/global/international-partnerships/international-policy/euro |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon Presentation: Scientific Advice for Policy in Europe (SAPEA) webinar. Transitioning to new energy systems. 11 October 2021. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon Presentation: Scientific Advice for Policy in Europe (SAPEA) webinar. Transitioning to new energy systems. 11 October 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://sapea.info/events/transitioning-to-new-energy-systems-what-impact-will-it-have-on-society-an... |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon meeting with members of Neat Port Talbot Council policy teams to discuss local energy planning and net zero, 1 December 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon meeting with members of Neat Port Talbot Council policy teams to discuss local energy planning and net zero, 1 December 2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon talk on 'The Greenhouse Gas Removal Landscape - Ethics and Societal Acceptance at UK Energy Research Centre Conference', Manchester 13-14 June 2022. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon talk on 'The Greenhouse Gas Removal Landscape - Ethics and Societal Acceptance at UK Energy Research Centre Conference', Manchester 13-14 June 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon took part in a 'Scottish Government-RAEng workshop on Heat in Buildings public engagement strategy', 27th and 29th July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon took part in a 'Scottish Government-RAEng workshop on Heat in Buildings public engagement strategy', 27th and 29th July 2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon took part in a roundtable 'Sustainable Futures and Values' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon took part in a roundtable 'Sustainable Futures and Values', British Academy London, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Nick Pidgeon. Panellist in the US National Academies Climate Conversations series: a panel on Ocean Carbon Removal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Nick Pidgeon. Panellist in the US National Academies Climate Conversations series: a panel on Ocean Carbon Removal, 20th January 2022. 800+ individual attendees viewed this event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/01-20-2022/climate-conversations-ocean-carbon-dioxide-remova... |
| Description | Presentation to EPSRC Energy SAC, 15 November, Delivering Net Zero project outcomes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to EPSRC Energy SAC, 15 November, Delivering Net Zero project outcomes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Webinar: Delivering Net Zero |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Delivering Net Zero (DNZ) is a collaborative project being undertaken by the University of Leeds, Cardiff University and Cultivate Innovation. The project seeks to unite and explore a range of cross-sector perspectives to identify where consensus does and does not exist on how the UK should deliver net zero. Data is being collected via three rounds of deliberative workshops, the first of which convened 42 top academics from across the research community working in energy supply, energy demand and greenhouse gas removal. This webinar convened a panel of experts to introduce the key themes that emerged from the academic community and discuss the opportunities and barriers to developing cross-sector narratives on net zero. Delivering Net Zero speakers/panellists: Mike Colechin, Founder of Cultivate Innovation Rachel Carr-Whitworth, Lead Author of Delivering Net Zero Round 1 Analysis Carly McLachlan, Professor of Climate and Energy Policy at University of Manchester John Barrett, Professor in Energy and Climate Policy at University of Leeds Jan Webb, Professor of Sociology of Organisations at Edinburgh University Emily Cox, Research Associate at Cardiff University |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://ukerc.ac.uk/news/video-delivering-net-zero-dnz-webinar/ |