Engaging the bioenergy sector to improve NERC's capability to address soil sustainability challenges of land-based bioenergy cultivation
Lead Research Organisation:
NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019)
Department Name: Soils and Land Use (Lancaster)
Abstract
A secure and cost-effective supply of low-carbon energy is one of the goals of the UK government's Carbon Plan with bioenergy expected to deliver around 12% of the UK's primary energy demand by 2050. However, it has been identified that for some bioenergy crops lifecycle C emissions can be significant, compromising the capacity of bioenergy to deliver net C savings. Land-use change to bioenergy crops can result in a change in the level of C sequestered and released from the soil, with changes dependant on the type of land cultivated and the crop grown. These impacts can be measured and regulated against but knowledge of the direct effects of land-use change to bioenergy on soil C and GHG emissions at a location-specific level has been lacking (RFA, 2008). This uncertainty over the C savings delivered by bioenergy has been identified by global industry and the UK government as a major bottleneck constraining the expansion of bioenergy deployment.
In the UK, the majority of bioenergy feedstocks for power generation are imported. This is expected to continue through to 2050, although domestic biomass supplies are predicted to make a more significant contribution beyond 2030. Improved knowledge of the direct effects of land-use change to bioenergy in both a UK and international context will help to underpin UK government energy policy, enabling more informed decisions to be made and regulation put in place to ensure the sustainability of bioenergy used in the UK.
NERC-CEH has developed a reputation for high-quality research in this field, leading and collaborating on NERC, RCUK and industry-funded projects focused on bioenergy sustainability and the effects of land-use change to bioenergy on soil C and GHG emissions. Two key projects have been the ETI-ELUM project and NERC Carbo-BioCrop (ETI / McNamara LoS). Through these projects, NERC scientists and ELUM partners have developed rigorous methodologies for bioenergy soil GHG measurements and state-of-the art process based modelling of bioenergy land-use change effects which provide a potential scientific solution to the problem of robust assessment of direct effects of land-use change to bioenergy at a location-specific level.
The potential implications and applications of these research outcomes need to be disseminated and discussed with stakeholders in order to stimulate uptake of these methods, models and expertise. This will be done by establishing two-way dialogue with stakeholders in order to: (1) understand the needs of stakeholders and how NERC bioenergy science can help them achieve their goals; (2) develop mechanisms by which uptake of this research can be facilitated to deliver economic, environmental and societal benefits; (3) investigate mechanisms by which NERC bioenergy research could help to underpin international sustainability standards for bioenergy; and (4) demonstrate to stakeholders the value of being part of this research activity through an "Industry Knowledge Club".
Reducing uncertainty over the direct effects of land-use change to bioenergy crops on soil GHG emissions is essential for industry and government if sustainable bioenergy is to contribute significantly to the UK energy mix. However to reap the economic, environmental and societal benefits a strong cooperation between the research community and end-users is needed. This KE fellowship will maximise the impact of NERC bioenergy science, by stimulating industry and policymaker involvement and use of the research outcomes including data, models and expertise. This will involve activities designed to bring together the cross-council research community with stakeholders to identify practical applications for NERC science and explore novel funding routes for research on this urgent issue currently facing human society which encompasses climate change, energy use and the development of sustainable resources.
RFA (2008) Gallagher Review of the indirect effects of biofuels production
In the UK, the majority of bioenergy feedstocks for power generation are imported. This is expected to continue through to 2050, although domestic biomass supplies are predicted to make a more significant contribution beyond 2030. Improved knowledge of the direct effects of land-use change to bioenergy in both a UK and international context will help to underpin UK government energy policy, enabling more informed decisions to be made and regulation put in place to ensure the sustainability of bioenergy used in the UK.
NERC-CEH has developed a reputation for high-quality research in this field, leading and collaborating on NERC, RCUK and industry-funded projects focused on bioenergy sustainability and the effects of land-use change to bioenergy on soil C and GHG emissions. Two key projects have been the ETI-ELUM project and NERC Carbo-BioCrop (ETI / McNamara LoS). Through these projects, NERC scientists and ELUM partners have developed rigorous methodologies for bioenergy soil GHG measurements and state-of-the art process based modelling of bioenergy land-use change effects which provide a potential scientific solution to the problem of robust assessment of direct effects of land-use change to bioenergy at a location-specific level.
The potential implications and applications of these research outcomes need to be disseminated and discussed with stakeholders in order to stimulate uptake of these methods, models and expertise. This will be done by establishing two-way dialogue with stakeholders in order to: (1) understand the needs of stakeholders and how NERC bioenergy science can help them achieve their goals; (2) develop mechanisms by which uptake of this research can be facilitated to deliver economic, environmental and societal benefits; (3) investigate mechanisms by which NERC bioenergy research could help to underpin international sustainability standards for bioenergy; and (4) demonstrate to stakeholders the value of being part of this research activity through an "Industry Knowledge Club".
Reducing uncertainty over the direct effects of land-use change to bioenergy crops on soil GHG emissions is essential for industry and government if sustainable bioenergy is to contribute significantly to the UK energy mix. However to reap the economic, environmental and societal benefits a strong cooperation between the research community and end-users is needed. This KE fellowship will maximise the impact of NERC bioenergy science, by stimulating industry and policymaker involvement and use of the research outcomes including data, models and expertise. This will involve activities designed to bring together the cross-council research community with stakeholders to identify practical applications for NERC science and explore novel funding routes for research on this urgent issue currently facing human society which encompasses climate change, energy use and the development of sustainable resources.
RFA (2008) Gallagher Review of the indirect effects of biofuels production
Publications
Committee On Climate Change
(2018)
Biomass in a Low Carbon Economy
Ledo A
(2019)
A global, empirical, harmonised dataset of soil organic carbon changes under perennial crops.
in Scientific data
Ledo A
(2020)
Changes in soil organic carbon under perennial crops.
in Global change biology
McCalmont JP
(2018)
Soil nitrous oxide flux following land-use reversion from Miscanthus and SRC willow to perennial ryegrass.
in Global change biology. Bioenergy
Robertson A
(2016)
A Miscanthus plantation can be carbon neutral without increasing soil carbon stocks
in GCB Bioenergy
Whitaker J
(2018)
Consensus, uncertainties and challenges for perennial bioenergy crops and land use.
in Global change biology. Bioenergy
| Description | A large active network of stakeholders has been established through the KE fellowship from academia, policy industry and third sector and from agriculture, forestry, bioenergy industry and environmental sectors. This network has contributed to co-design of proposals, 2 workshops (1 research focused and 1 policy focused) and continues to enable policy impact to be achieved. I have delivered greater use of NERC/CEH methodology and models for assessing soil sustainability of bioenergy crops in the UK and internationally. e.g. Cool Farm tool, UK GHG inventory, Defra Future Land Use scenarios tool, Committee on Climate Change Land use scenarios. This has delivered new research collaborations and outputs and evidence used to inform policy development. I have facilitated the use of NERC/CEH science in informing UK government policy. For example, I convened a stakeholder workshop with the Committee on Climate Change with 35 attendees to inform government policy on the expansion of UK bioenergy cultivation through the CCC Bioenergy Review. This workshop resulted in policy recommendations to government on BEIS have now commissioned a feasibility study to assess the feasibility of scaling up UK sustainable bioenergy supply. During the fellowship I have also facilitated and supported co-design of research with stakeholders including 5 international proposals and 3 PhD proposals. |
| Exploitation Route | This work is on-going through other funding mechanisms and will continue to deliver value in broader sustainability assessments of bioenergy production in the UK, particularly in the development of climate mitigation strategies and future land use, and agricultural policy post-Brexit following our exit from the common agricultural policy. Engagement with the Committee on Climate Change, BEIS and Defra has been successful and leaves a legacy relationship which will continue to be of value in ensuring CEH science evidence is used to inform decision making in this area. In addition, outcomes from this fellowship will continue to deliver benefit through CEH research activities and involvement in the Supergen Bioenergy Hub by myself and CEH colleagues. Many of the stakeholder relationships established during the fellowship are still on-going with potential to deliver future impact, for example work with Iggesund and Terravesta to further improve climate resilience and environmental sustainability of bioenergy feedstocks used in their manufacturing process; proposal development with Green Shift Innovations to develop new low-carbon energy generation combined with soil carbon storage; and continuing research with SE Asia stakeholders to improve oil palm sustainability. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment |
| URL | https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/ke4be-knowledge-exchange-bioenergy |
| Description | At the start of the KE fellowship there were a small number of stakeholders interested in NERC/CEH bioenergy research but not engaged in a meaningful way. Expanding this stakeholder network and understanding how outputs from NERC and CEH science can contribute and support policy and industry has taken time and the most significant outcomes have begun to take shape in the last 12 months and are still on-going leaving a legacy of activity and impact which I will continue to support through other project activity. Externally, the KE fellowship has significantly increased awareness and use of NERC-CEH data and scientific evidence on bioenergy carbon savings. This work is on-going and will continue to deliver value in broader sustainability assessments of bioenergy production in the UK, particularly in the development of climate mitigation strategies and future land use, and agricultural policy post-Brexit following our exit from the common agricultural policy. Engagement with the Committee on Climate Change, BEIS and Defra has been successful and leaves a legacy relationship which will continue to be of value in ensuring CEH science evidence is used to inform decision making. On example is published policy recommendations on Scaling up UK Bioenergy Supply which are feeding into the BEIS Energy Innovation Programme commissioned feasibility study on UK Bioenergy feedstocks. Many of the stakeholder relationships established during the fellowship are still on-going with potential to deliver future impact, for example work with Iggesund to further improve climate resilience and environmental sustainability of bioenergy feedstocks used in their manufacturing process; proposal development with Green Shift Innovations to develop new low-carbon energy generation combined with soil carbon storage; and continuing research with SE Asia stakeholders to improve oil palm sustainability which will in time deliver socio-economic benefits. In 2021, the stakeholder networks and research on bioenergy sustainability led to a role in a BEIS review on greenhouse-gas removal methods which will guide UK government policy on this topic. In addition, I led a scoping study for a BEIS funded UK wide multi-site demonstration platform for bioenergy crops, this Phase 1 study, led to a Phase 2 £5M project Biomass Connect: Biomass Innovation and Information Platform. This innovation and demonstration project is a direct result of the profile and networks I created during the KE fellowship and have sustained since. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Future Energy Scenarios Report for National grid |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Gave Evidence to Committee on Climate Change Bioenergy Review |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.theccc.org.uk/bioenergy-review-2018-call-evidence/ |
| Description | Interviewed for BEIS commissioned review on Innovation needs assessment for biomass heat. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Invited external reviewer on government evidence review of biofuel sustainability |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.raeng.org.uk/publications/reports/biofuels |
| Description | Written evidence to Committee on Climate Change Biomass review 2018 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/biomass-in-a-low-carbon-economy/ |
| Description | Written evidence to Renewable Energy Association for Bioenergy Strategy 2019 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Assessment of GGR methods and their potential deployment |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 07/2021 |
| Description | BEIS Bioenergy Feedstocks Feasibility Study |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2019 |
| End | 02/2020 |
| Description | Biomass Connect: Biomass Information and Innovation Platform |
| Amount | £4,740,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | Biomass Feedstocks Innovation programme |
| Amount | £198,693 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | CEH-303 |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | EPSRC-RP Supergen Bioenergy Hub Phase II |
| Amount | £5,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Department | SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2018 |
| End | 10/2022 |
| Description | Integration of biochar and diverse bioenergy crops into SE Asian agriculture |
| Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | R121197/ Flexible Funding 2017 |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Department | SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| Description | Perennial Biomass Crops for Greenhouse Gas Removal |
| Amount | £3,900,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/V011553/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2021 |
| End | 11/2025 |
| Description | Collaboration with CENA, University of Sao Paulo |
| Organisation | Universidade de São Paulo |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have developed a collaborative relationship in order to develop research activity on bioenergy and agricultural research addressing common issues for Brazil and the UK. I travelled to Brazil in November 2014 with a CEH colleague for a research visit to share knowledge and discuss opportunities. From this visit a NERC Discovery Science Proposal was developed and submitted through the NERC-FAPESP agreement in July 2015, focused on improving knowledge of nitrous oxide emissions in agricultural soils. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators at CENA, USP hosted our visit to their organisation and presented and discussed their research and showed us their research facilities. They contributed significantly to writing and costing out the NERC proposal. This collaboration also resulted in a return visit to the UK for Prof Ado Cerri who attended a workshop on Bioenergy and Land-use change hosted at our institute. |
| Impact | Joint NERC Discovery Science proposal to July 2015 round through NERC-FAPESP agreement. Manuscript in draft from the Bioenergy and Land-use change workshop 2015 titled "A decade of research on bioenergy and land-use change - ten things we now know and the challenges remaining" |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Collaboration with UK Bioenergy Companies |
| Organisation | Iggesund Paperboard |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Iggesund and Terrevesta are the 2 largest producers and users of bioenergy crops in the UK. During the KE fellowship I have developed trusted relationships with these organisations through meetings and visits and myslef and colleagues are working with both companies co-designing collaborative research. I have also involved senior representatives of both companies in a stakeholder workshop on scaling up UK Bioenergy supply which I convened for the Committee on Climate Change. This enabled Iggesund and Terravesta to contribute to the development of policy recommendations to government. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Both companies have agreed to contribute CASE funding (£3.5K per year per student) plus in-kind support to PhD studentship project proposals. Both were unsuccessful but will be re-submitted this year. Work with Iggesund will contribute to improving UK business performance as they are focused on using bioenergy crops to improve the environmental sustainability of their paperboard manufacturing process. |
| Impact | Two NERC PhD proposals to NERC Envision DTP and NERC ACCE DTP with CASE funding from Iggesund and Terravesta Policy recommendations form stakeholder workshop published in Whitaker J (2018) Steps to scaling up UK sustainable bioenergy supply. Technical Annex 4 of Biomass in a Low Carbon Economy, Committee on Climate Change, 2018. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/steps-to-scaling-up-uk-sustainable-bioenergy-supply-ceh/ Committee on Climate Change (2018) Biomass in a Low Carbon Economy. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/biomass-in-a-low-carbon-economy/ |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Collaboration with UK Bioenergy Companies |
| Organisation | Terravesta Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Iggesund and Terrevesta are the 2 largest producers and users of bioenergy crops in the UK. During the KE fellowship I have developed trusted relationships with these organisations through meetings and visits and myslef and colleagues are working with both companies co-designing collaborative research. I have also involved senior representatives of both companies in a stakeholder workshop on scaling up UK Bioenergy supply which I convened for the Committee on Climate Change. This enabled Iggesund and Terravesta to contribute to the development of policy recommendations to government. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Both companies have agreed to contribute CASE funding (£3.5K per year per student) plus in-kind support to PhD studentship project proposals. Both were unsuccessful but will be re-submitted this year. Work with Iggesund will contribute to improving UK business performance as they are focused on using bioenergy crops to improve the environmental sustainability of their paperboard manufacturing process. |
| Impact | Two NERC PhD proposals to NERC Envision DTP and NERC ACCE DTP with CASE funding from Iggesund and Terravesta Policy recommendations form stakeholder workshop published in Whitaker J (2018) Steps to scaling up UK sustainable bioenergy supply. Technical Annex 4 of Biomass in a Low Carbon Economy, Committee on Climate Change, 2018. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/steps-to-scaling-up-uk-sustainable-bioenergy-supply-ceh/ Committee on Climate Change (2018) Biomass in a Low Carbon Economy. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/biomass-in-a-low-carbon-economy/ |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Article in Farmers Guardian on importance of soil health and soil carbon |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Following a presentation at the Pasture for Life Association an article was written in the Farmers Guardian highlighting the importance of soil health and soil carbon for sustainable agriculture for food and bioenergy crops. Jeanette Whitaker was quoted in the article on the importance of soil carbon and organic matter for soil health. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Brexit: an academic conference (London) |
| 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 | This event was organised by parliament to bring together researchers and parliamentary staff to discuss some of the key policy areas which will be affected by Brexit and how evidence from research can contribute to decision making in this area. The event raised awareness among parliamentary staff of bioenergy and renewable energy more broadly. Following the event I was invited to contribute to a Postnote on Bioenergy which is planned for this year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://secondreading.uk/brexit/brexit-can-research-light-the-way/ |
| Description | Convened stakeholder workshop on Soil quality challenges in SE Asia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I co-organised and facilitated a very successful 3 day workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Soil quality Challenges for Oil Palm in SE Asia with ~40 stakeholders from 19 organisations including from oil palm industry, academics and NGOs. Follow-up meetings have been taking place with academic and industry partners developing research programmes in Indonesia and Malaysia which will deliver socio-economic benefits in SE Asia and contribute to improving the sustainability of oil palm, a globally traded commodity. Funding has been secured from EPSRC Supergen Bioenergy for a pump-priming project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/blogs/se-asia-oil-palm-workshop |
| Description | European Biomass Conference and Exhibition - conference presentation J Whitaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Platform presentation on "Land-use effects on the greenhouse gas balance of perennial bioenergy crops" at the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Sweden May 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Initiated and convened stakeholder workshop for Committee on Climate Change "Steps to scaling up UK sustainable bioenergy supply" |
| 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 | 38 stakeholders from agriculture, environment and energy backgrounds and from industry, policy, academic and third sector attended. The workshop report was published as a technical annex to the Committee on Climate Change report Biomass in a Low Carbon Economy (November 2018). The published report has generated significant interest and is feeding into a newly commissioned BEIS feasibility study and the Renewable Energy Association Bioenergy strategy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | International Forum on Connecting research challenges and business opportunities with Africa (Lancaster) |
| 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 | International Forum: Connecting Research Challenges and Funding with Business Opportunities in Africa. This event brought together African and European leaders from government, business, civil society and academia, to co-create and co-design a road map for transformational, long-term capacity building with real impact in the "post-Paris world". The forum also considered how these potential activities might be funded through strategic partnerships between Lancaster University, CEH and African institutions . |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | International workshop on Bioenergy and Land-use Change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Jeanette Whitaker organised and facilitated a Stakeholder workshop to discuss the global challenges of Bioenergy and Land-use change. The workshop was attended by 26 invited attendees. These included national and international stakeholders with an interest in bioenergy sustainability from industry (Shell, BP, AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds), policymakers (DECC, EU JRC, UNCCD) and a range of universities (UK, Belgium, Brazil, USA). The aims of the workshop were: to compare outcomes from UK research on bioenergy and land-use change in a global context; identify industry and policy requirements to direct future research; and identify how we can progress towards more complete sustainability accounting for bioenergy and agricultural land-use. During the workshop the key areas of consensus from UK and international studies were collated and the research gaps and uncertainties were discussed and prioritised through discussion. Main outcomes: 1. Plan for research proposal exploring what would be required to deliver the existing UK bioenergy strategy, using life-cycle assessments of bioenergy futures. Funding routes are being explored but there was interest form government departments in supporting this. 2. A high impact publication is in preparation involving 14 co-authors from the workshop focused on "A decade of research on bioenergy and land-use change - ten things we now know and the challenges remaining" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/blogs/bioenergy-and-land-use-change-global-challenge |
| Description | Invited panel member Royal Society Energy-Environment-Society Interactions Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Approx 100 people attended a Royal Society conference. I was an invited panel member for the final Q&A session debating how research, policy and industry could better work together to ensure that climate mitigation activities take account of ecosystems. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2021/02/energy-environment-society/ |
| Description | Invited seminar on Bioenergy and Land-use change for Energy Lancaster Seminar series, Lancaster University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Delivered invited seminar on Bioenergy and Land-use Change to audience of academics and researchers. As a consequence I was invited to act as an external reviewer for the Royal Academy of Engineering report on Sustainability issues associated with liquid biofuels, commissioned by BEIS and DfT. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited speaker at Energy Technologies Institute Conference and Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The ETI 10 years of innovation was a showcase for ETI funded research on energy held in central london. I was a keynote speaker in the Bioenergy seminar promoting ETI, NERC and EPSRC funded research on bioenergy sustainability. As as result of the presentation I was invited to be interviewed for the governments Committee on Climate Change Bioenergy Review. Useful connections were also made with policy leaders in ETI and industry connections with whom we are discussing potential collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Meetings for UKRI Energy Programme Science Advisory Committee |
| 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 | Three meetings per year for UKRI Energy Programme Science Advisory Committee contributing to discussions on the UKRI Energy Programme research direction, funding allocations etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Meetings of RCUK Bioenergy Strategic Coordination Group (quarterly, on-going) |
| 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 | Jeanette Whitaker has attended quarterly meetings of the RCUK Bioenergy Strategic Co-ordination group. The RCUK and Innovate UK Bioenergy Strategic Coordination Group (BSCG) is an ad hoc sub group of the RCUK Energy Programme. Membership is drawn from BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, NERC, STFC, Innovate UK, and selected academics in the bioenergy field. It receives and gives advice on the strategic direction of Bioenergy research from and to the Energy Programme's Coordination Group and Scientific Advisory Committee. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
| Description | NERC Renewable Energy Showcase, London |
| 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 | NERC Workshop - Challenges and Opportunities of Renewable Energy Showcase. This event was aimed at showcasing NERC science and identifying research and investment gaps in renewable energy. Jeanette Whitaker provided advice on the agenda, format and attendees invited to the workshop and was involved in discussion groups to identify research gaps and future funding opportunities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.nerc.ac.uk/latest/events/list/renewables2016/ |
| Description | Panel member at Communicating Bioenergy event held at British Embassy Stockholm |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This event brought together academia, industry and the public sector from Sweden and the UK to share their experience and discuss the challenges of communicating bioenergy. The workshop provided a platform for the participants to engage with key stakeholders and to improve their understanding of communication of bioenergy sustainability issues transfering knowledge from the more established sector in Sweden. Organisations included Svebio Gasum, WIP Renewable Energies, World Biogas Association, Swedish Energy Agency, SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub, Biomass UK/Edelman. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Podcast interview for Clean Energy Revolution podcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed for a podcast on How nature can help us capture carbon for the Clean Energy Revolution Podcast. Talked about bioenergy, afforestation, soil carbon storage and the costs, benefits and trade-offs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://omny.fm/shows/the-clean-energy-revolution/how-nature-can-help-us-capture-carbon |
| Description | Presentation at NERC Knowledge Exchange Network meeting on Sustainable Bioenergy - J Whitaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at NERC Knowledge Exchange Network meeting on "Sustainable bioenergy: managing and understanding the environmental risks and benefits". Led to a debate on how KE can be used to communicate difficult topics and raise awareness |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation at Supergen Bioenergy Hub workshop on Bioenergy and Land-use change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Supergen Hub Workshop on Bioenergy and Land-use change. I presented an overview of NERC/CEH research on bioenergy and land-use change to a meeting of international researchers. As a result I was invited to contribute to a COST action proposal to be submitted in 2017, led by Benoit Gabrielle. INRA, France |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Presentation on soil carbon for climate change mitigation to Energy and Bioproducts research Institute |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited speaker on Soil carbon: a solution for climate change mitigation. Presentation to Energy and Bioproducts research Institute at Aston University |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Scaling up UK Bioenergy stakeholder workshop |
| 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 | 50 people attended a workshop to collate stakeholder views for BEIS on what innovations are needed to scale up planting of bioenergy crops in the UK. I contributed knowledge and connections made during my KE fellowship to invite key stakeholders to the event and facilitiated a discussion table. This work is feeding into the design of a Bioenergy competition for BEIS. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Science Uncovered at Natural History Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Science Uncovered at the Natural History Museum is part of European Researchers night. The aim is to encourage conversation and interaction between researchers and the general public, to raise awareness of scientific research broadly and the broad variety of roles and topics researchers are involved in. Jeanette Whitaker attended in her role as NERC 50th Anniversary ambassador promoting NERC Bioenergy research and research on sustainable agriculture funded through the NERC Soil security programme |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/science-uncovered-2015.html |
| Description | Talk to farmers and farm practitioners at the Pasture for Life Association meeting, Gloucestershire |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Jeanette Whitaker was an invited speaker at the Pasture For Life Association (PFLA) meeting to discuss the importance of Soil Health in pasture-fed farming. The talk on how to assess soil carbon and soil organic matter content was followed with practical demonstrations of soil sampling and assessments. There was a lot of interest from farmers in the audience who wanted to know how there management practices might affect soil organic matter status . In follow-up an article was written in the Farmers Guardian by a journalist, quoting points from my presentation. I have also been approached by national Trust farmers to conduct soil carbon stock assessments, and have been invited to participate in a research proposal and study on the effects of mob grazing on soil carbon and organic matter status, involving around 40 PFLA farmers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Webpage to promote NERC Knowledge Exchange fellowship |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Jeanette Whitaker created a web-page to highlight the activities or the NERC Knowledge Exchange fellowship and promote bioenergy research conducted at NERC-CEH and scientific publications and engagement activities involving NERC bioenergy research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/ke4be-knowledge-exchange-bioenergy |
| Description | Website for Ecosystem Land-use modelling project (ELUM) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A web-site was developed and launched to promote the activities and outcomes of the Ecosystem Land-use Modelling project. This project was led by the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and commissioned and funded by the Energy Technologies Institute. The launch of the web-site was promoted by email to a wide range of stakeholders and also through a news item on the CEH news web-page. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.elum.ac.uk/ |