Adaptation and Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARCC) - Coordination Network (ACN)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Environmental Change Institute SoGE
Abstract
Adaptation and Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARCC) is part of the Living with Environmental Change (LWEC) Programme. Research funded under ARCC is expected to focus on adaptation and resilience to climate change under one or both of the following themes:1. Existing buildings and infrastructure systems in the urban environment.2. UK infrastructure systems including transport infrastructure and water resource systems. As such the research is expected to engender multi-disciplinary groups of researchers, industrial collaborators, practitioners and stakeholders some of which have worked together under Building Knowledge for a Changing Climate (BKCC) or were brought together through Sustaining Knowledge for a Changing Climate (SKCC). Experience gained through BKCC and SKCC has shown that coordination, both of the research efforts and of the end-user engagement, can benefit the research and can enhance the benefits from the research through enhanced reach. Delivery of the ACN will build on lessons learned from this experience (www.ukcip.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=9)The ARCC Coordination Network (ACN) will facilitate networking amongst the various research projects funded through ARCC, engage the other relevant EPSRC-funded research projects (CREW, SCORCHIO, LUCID and those research projects funded under the EPSRC call on the use of probabilistic information) in ACN, and reach out to other researchers and stakeholders to grow the informed and engaged community. Coordinating this suite of research projects as a portfolio will provide opportunities for individual projects to share resources, data and results. It will also provide opportunities to address cross-project issues and challenges as a portfolio rather than attempting to deal with them individually. Presenting the results as a synthesis, rather than only as a collection of results, is intended to enhance the value of the research results to practitioners, policy makers and other end-users.Benefits associated with the proposed coordination of end-user engagement are related to enhancing the reach of the research results and effective end-user engagement. A coordinated network of engaged end-users will increase the efficacy and breadth of the dissemination of research results, as well as the ability of researchers to engage potential end-users. Experience has shown that end-users engaged through a network such as that proposed are more informed and therefore better able to contribute to the research, better able to understand the utility of the research and more willing and able to exploit the research results. They will also be more capable and likely to become involved in further dissemination of those results within their respective communities.A further benefit of this coordinating network is related to looking forward and identifying further investments in research. An informed network of researchers and end-users will be more capable of identifying and prioritising knowledge gaps and challenges.
Publications
Anastasia Mylona (Author)
(2013)
ARCC CN - Synthesis briefing: Overheating in homes: Advice and evidence from the latest research
in online ARCC network website
Anastasia Mylona (Author)
(2012)
ARCC CN - Synthesis briefing: Adapting UK homes to reduce overheating
in online ARCC network website
Kate Lonsdale And Mark Goldthorpe
(2012)
Collaborative research for a changing climate - lessons for researchers, stakeholders and funding agencies from the ARCC Network
in online ARCC network website
Kay Jenkinson (Author)
(2013)
ARCC CN - Synthesis report: Collaborative research for a changing climate
in online ARCC network website
Mylona A
(2012)
The use of UKCP09 to produce weather files for building simulation
in Building Services Engineering Research and Technology
Roger Brian Street (Author)
(2012)
ARCC CN - Special Issue: Adaptation and resilience to a changing climate: Supporting adaptation decision making
in Building Services Engineering Research and Technology
Roger Brian Street (Author)
(2013)
ARCC CN - annual report, 2012
in none
Roger Brian Street (Author)
(2012)
ARCC CN: Research Update 2012
in online ARCC network website
Roger Brian Street (Author)
(2011)
ARCC CN, Research update, 2011
in online ARCC network website
Roger Brian Street (Author)
(2011)
ARCC CN annual report, 2010
in none
| Description | Since 2009, the ARCC CN has enabled researchers, policymakers and practitioners within the built environment and infrastructure sectors to expand and accelerate the exchange of evidence and knowledge on adaptation to climate change, and to address both current evidence needs and future challenges.By taking a lead in coordination, knowledge exchange and dissemination activities across a suite of 25 EPSRC-funded research projects aimed at enhancing sustainability in buildings and infrastructure, the network has enhanced and accelerated the benefits from funding commitments over and above that achievable by individual projects. The performance of the UK built environment and its infrastructure is critical to national health and well-being, the growth agenda and economic competitiveness and stability. Yet these increasingly complex and interdependent sectors face serious challenges over the next 10-50 years and beyond. Decisions need to be made now if these sectors are to minimise the risk of systematic failures and disruptions and be capable of responding positively to expected demographic, environmental and technological changes. In order to meet these challenges, the ARCC CN worked with researchers and stakeholders to ensure effective research outputs that inform national, regional and local decision-makers. Examples of achievements include: Support for policymakers and practitioners: • Synthesised evidence for central government (DCLG, DECC) and provided written guidance for Green Deal assessors, providers and installers on measures to reduce the risk of overheating. • Targeted evidence from across research projects to enable CIBSE to update published weather data and best practice guidance for its professional members. • Initiated dialogue between researchers and central government policymakers to consider evidence on overheating in the urban environment and how it can be used to inform policy. • Building community resilience through facilitating links between research, the Cabinet Office and Dept. Health to explore evidence needs and how to best deliver them. • Informed local strategies for healthcare adaptation through work with local authorities, representatives from the health sector and relevant research projects. Meeting evidence requirements: • Instrumental in engaging researchers and stakeholders in the provision of evidence for the Climate Change Risk Assessment, reports submitted under the Adaptation Reporting Power, the National Adaptation Programme and the new Climate Ready programme. • Worked with stakeholders to scope evidence needs on adaptation and resilience in the UK energy sector leading to new research which is now addressing expressed users' needs. Knowledge exchange: • Synthesised information in response to stated user needs for summary documents highlighting key messages on specific themes from across research. • Broadened engagement through open conferences which successfully highlighted outputs from the network and their implications for users. • Promoted learning on collaborative, stakeholder-led research to advise other projects and networks. Full details at: http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/ |
| Exploitation Route | The ARCC CN enhanced the uptake and impact of research on adaptation and resilience in the built environment and infrastructure sectors within the UK. Non-academic users include: - Central government departments, devolved administrations and their agencies who benefit from facilitated dialogue and synthesised research outputs targeted at specific policy requirements. - Local government who benefit from a better understanding of the specific risks and opportunities at the regional and local level, together with access to data and tools to aid the decision-making process. - Coordination bodies and other research networks who benefit from a single, focussed window onto relevant UK research to inform their own initiatives and opportunities for shared activities to broaden overall understanding and reach of information. - Infrastructure operators who can benefit from opportunities to interact with academia to co-produce evidence and knowledge to help reduce risks and costs. - Professional bodies and institutions who can access additional synthesised information on relevant issues and opportunities to contribute to focussed activities to inform their members. - Architects, building designers and developers who will benefit from additional knowledge and expertise to help provide well-adapted and sustainable buildings to support well-being and productivity in the future. - Engineering and multi-disciplinary consultants who benefit from access to the latest models, tools and information to inform their consultancy services both in the UK and internationally. A wide range of inter-related activities have been facilitated including theme focussed initiatives, synthesis reports, end-user perspectives, workshops, conferences, targeted communication and dissemination events, contributions to peer-reviewed literature, and engagement and community-building events. |
| Sectors | Construction Energy Environment Healthcare Transport |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/ |
| Description | ARCC network activities focussed on synthesising information and evidence from across research projects and facilitating dialogue between the academic community and stakeholders to access expertise on both sides. This ensured the delivery of relevant and timely outputs for use by a wide range of policymakers (local, regional, national) and practitioners (industry, business). Focussing on adaptation and resilience to a changing climate in the UK build environment and infrastructure sectors, and working across a suite of EPSRC-funded research projects, the ARCC network has helped: • provide evidence for central and local government initiatives including integrated network input to the Climate Change Risk Assessment, the National Adaptation Programme, the Green Deal and Climate Ready programme. • synthesise research and broaden engagement through major knowledge exchange conferences and themed activities focussing on specific issues such as resilient energy systems, community resilience, overheating and health and social care. • promote information and knowledge through dedicated website and regular e-newsletters. Established synthesis and briefing notes to capture key findings from across research projects in formats suitable for target audiences. • capture and share learning from across the network on effective approaches to stakeholder engagement, effective collaborative research and knowledge exchange. • building the user community through the integration of additional research focussing on sustainable urban systems, through targeted work to foster the development of early career researchers and participation in external awareness-raising and dissemination events. By taking a lead in coordination, stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange activities, UKCIP has demonstrated the added value of the network to realising the benefits from EPSRC-funded research commitments over and above that achievable by individual projects. Beneficiaries: A wide range of stakeholders (e.g. researchers, central and local policymakers, industry, professional institutions, other networks with a business remit) with a focus on adaptation to climate change in the built environment and infrastructure sectors Contribution Method: Provided high quality evidence, synthesised and translated from across participating individual research projects to meet specific requirements from a range of end users. Directed stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange activities helped facilitate the co-production of research outputs with enhanced reach and application. Further information on both the ARCC network and research projects can be found at: www.arcc-network.org.uk. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
| Sector | Construction,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic |
| Description | ARCC network - DCLG Review of Government Planning Practice Guidance, 2013 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Contributed to wider UKCIP response to the Government consultation process drawing on evidence and knowledge from the ARCC network Target Audience: Government Department |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/pdfs/UKCIP_planningguidancereview_2013.pdf |
| Description | ARCC network - Response to the Scottish Government consultation on the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The ARCC network responded to this consultation focusing on the policies and proposals addressing risks within the 'buildings and infrastructure' theme. This was followed by a request to give evidence to the Scottish Government Rural Affairs, Climate change and Environment Committee. Target Audience: Government Department |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/achieving-impact/influencing-policy-practice/ |
| Description | ARCC network - contribution to the UK Climate Change Risk Asessment, 2012 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | Facilitated links with individual research projects and worked with Defra to ensure use of latest research and evidence to inform their 2012 climate change risk assessment (evidence report) and the 2013 National Adaptation Programme. Target Audience: Public Research Organisation;Government Department |
| Description | ARCC network - contributions to DH/HPA Heatwave Plan for England 2013: Making the Case |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | Facilitated links with individual research projects to ensure access to latest research is available and used in underpinning the evidence report Target Audience: Government Department; Local Government; Hospital / NHS Trust |
| Description | ARCC network - demonstrating impact case study: input to DECC/DCLG Green Deal information |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Coordinated the gathering and assessment of evidence from the ARCC projects for their effective use by key government departments: DECC, DCLG and Defra. Led the production of an Advice note on overheating (for Green Deal suppliers). This will be the basis of overheating information in the formal package of Green Deal advice. http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/pdfs/ACN-overheating-and-green-deal.pdf Target Audience: Industrial / Commercial;Government Department |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/network-in-action/synthesising-information/ |
| Description | ARCC network - response to Sustainable Development Strategy for the Health and Care System 2014-2020 Consultation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | In the consultation response, we have drawn on the experience of ARCC CN on adaptation more generally, and individual research projects for detailed comments relating to health and care services. Target Audience: Public Research Organisation;Government Department;Local Government;Hospital / NHS Trust |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/pdfs/ACN-NHS-consultation-response.pdf |
| Description | EPSRC Pathways to Impact Award Internal Grant: ARCC CN communicating science |
| Amount | £9,875 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2011 |
| End | 03/2012 |
| Description | ARCC CN - enhancing the network to better support regional stakeholders |
| Organisation | Climate UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Engaging with regional stakeholders (to July 2013). Working with Climate UK and the London Climate Change Partnership, we are strengthening links with regional stakeholders and the Climate Change Partnerships to understand emerging user needs, and how to develop the ARCC CN to support them. The work started to identify priority areas for engagement and opportunities to understand regional evidence and knowledge exchange requirements. |
| Collaborator Contribution | as above |
| Impact | Background research and information to start to identify regional stakeholders. Aspects taken forward in the follow-on ARCC network contract (started Feb 2014) |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | ARCC CN - evaluating the performance of the network |
| Organisation | Eclipse Research Consultants |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Evaluating the performance of the network (to July 2013). Worked with Ian Cooper of Eclipse Research Consultants to establish a meaningful, robust and challenging framework to evaluate the performance of the ARCC CN and to capture evidence of the uptake, use and impacts of network outputs. To capture the value of the network, a number of case studies have been developed to demonstrate the range of network activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | as above |
| Impact | 6 case studies were developed to highlight the varying aspects of the work of the network and the value of these activities in promoting research outputs from across the various academic projects. A comprehensive evaluation framework for the network was established to help capture impact and improve future activities. This has been taken forward into the follow-on ARCC network contract (started Feb 2014) |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | ARCC CN - to help establish a legacy management framework to ensure on-going availabality of research outputs |
| Organisation | Climate UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Availability and use of research network outputs: legacy management. Options for enhancing the legacy of outputs from across the network, including maintaining access to information for a reasonable period after projects end, were investigated with Climate UK. This provided information to feed into the future development of an information and data management framework for use across the network. |
| Collaborator Contribution | as above |
| Impact | Background information to feed into the new network data management strategy initiated Dec 2013. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | ARCC CN - Adaptation and Resilience to a Changing Climate website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | A dedicated and actively-managed website providing the primary means of communication with the broader adaptation community in the built environment and infrastructure sectors. The ARCC CN brings together researchers and stakeholders involved in adaptation to technological, social and environmental change, and in climate change. It provides a network to help develop and exchange knowledge and evidence for the research community to inform policy and practice. A suite of EPSRC-funded projects provide the focus, looking at adaptation and resilience in buildings, urban environments, transport networks, water resources and energy systems. Through coordinated activities with the research and end-user communities, the ARCC CN provides evidence to enable the design of more resilient urban systems. . Increasing awareness of relevant EPSRC-funded research projects and their outputs/outcomes. Up-to-date information on current and forthcoming events. Knowledge of how to better engage with the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013 |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/ |
| Description | ARCC CN conference 2012 - Living with our buildings and infrastructure |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This major two-day event (September 2012) provided a timely opportunity to showcase recent scientific advances from across the ARCC network and to highlight their implications for end-users. Over 140 researchers and stakeholders came together to engage with current research, explore policy and practice implications and consider future challenges and opportunities. Importantly, ARCC CN outputs were seen in the context of wider policy and practice requirements and the conference also encouraged extensive networking opportunities for researchers and stakeholders. A Research Update 2012 brochure was produced to summarise current research across all network projects. Stakeholders and researchers reported a better understanding of the research and how it may be used to support decision-making processes in policy and practice. Networking opportunities and discussions have allowed further research priorities to be identified. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/ACN-conference-2012/ACN-conference-brochure-2012... |
| Description | ARCC CN conference, 2011: Collaborative research to enable the design of resilient sustainable systems in the UK built environment and infrastructure sectors |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference to highlight current research on adapting to climate change in the UK built environment and its infrastructure sectors and to explore policy implications. Drawing on progress with the LWEC/EPSRC ARCC research programme, the focus was on cross-sectoral themes, such as overheating and local communities, and on case studies as a means of bringing together and further exploring the research completed, underway and outstanding. A summary of current research was published to coincide with the conference. Stakeholders and researchers gained a better understanding of current research and how the outputs may inform the decision-making process in policy and practice. Networking opportunities and discussion allowed future research priorities to be identified and possible collaborations to be initiated. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/pdfs/ACN_conference_brochure.pdf |
| Description | ARCC CN newsletters |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Network newsletters bring together information on adaptation and resilience to climate change in the built environment and infrastructure sectors to share between researchers, other end users and stakeholders, with research project updates and policy news. http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/publications/. Informing a broader audience of both researchers and users of research than would otherwise be possible. Increased understanding of the role of the ARCC network and its participating research projects and their outputs. Greater engagement and participation in network and project activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013 |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/publications/ |
| Description | Case studies - demonstrating the value of a research-stakeholder network |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Funding agencies are increasingly interested in the contribution research makes to society and the economy. Enhancing the impact of research beyond that achievable by individual projects is the primary aim of the ARCC network, and there is a need to understand and evaluate the value of having an over-arching network linking researchers and stakeholders. 5 case studies were compiled to highlight network activities and approaches that promote the use of evidence and help share learning (see http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/network-in-action/ ) : 1. Effective dissemination: Cascading knowledge through ARCC conferences, with input from BIOPICCC project, Sustainability East and Essex County Council. 2. Mobilising research to support initiatives: working with other networks to share expertise and research. Linking PROMETHEUS and COPSE outputs with the Technology Strategy Board Design for Future Climate programme. 3. Sustaining engagement: drawing on experiences from sequential research programmes (BKCC, SKCC, ARCC) to explore the value of coordinated and long-term research in sustained engagement between researchers and stakeholders. 4. Synthesising information for decision-makers: providing comprehensive evidence for use by policymakers. Outputs from SNACC, CREW and LUCID inform the Green Deal. 5. Working with professional institutions: providing evidence to underpin advice and guidance given by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to its 20,000 building services professionals. Capturing and sharing knowledge and experience between and across networks |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/network-in-action/ |
| Description | Webinar: Helping reseachers to enhance uptake and use of built environment models |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The webinar focused on enhancing the uptake, utility and value of simulation models and data at the building-, suburban- and city-scale. In many cases, these models and datasets, developed in EPSRC-funded research projects, have limited practical use at present due to difficulties in both accessing and using complex models by academics and non-academics, data management challenges, and integrating outputs with existing stakeholder capabilities, systems and approaches. The webinar highlighted some of the issues, skills gaps and barriers which prevent research outputs from being more industry-ready. Two case studies will provide recommendations and learning points which could be used by research projects. The webinar covered case studies on: • The ARCADIA Impact Model, which supports climate-related risk assessment and appraisal of adaptation options across Greater London, and provides an example of the processes and benefits of making model code and outputs available online. • The DM4T data management tool, MetaMaker, which was developed to add metadata to .csv files of building energy data, to allow users to query across data sources from different institutions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.arcc-network.org.uk/enhancing-impact/integrating-built-environment-models-into-geospatial... |