Net-Zero Digital Research Infrastructure Scoping
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: National Centre for Atmospheric Science
Abstract
UKRI is committed to becoming 'Net Zero' by 2040. To support this goal, carbon implications of data generation,analysis, storage and dissemination from our owned digital infrastructure must be considered. This scoping project will support the journey towards environmental sustainability by improving our understanding of the
carbon 'cost' of digital research and developing adaptation strategies for managing our data as part of a Net-Zero Data Roadmap.
NERC will lead an initial 2-year UKRI-wide study to develop a survey of the digital carbon landscape, a roadmap and a set of demonstrators to ensure that our data infrastructure can achieve net-zero. Taking a systems-based approach, we will work to develop adaptation strategies for the way data is conserved, analysed and managed. This will support the aims of the UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy and the vision to create net-zero UKRI owned and majority funded data infrastructure, that places carbon-reduction targets in the context of broader research, innovation and sustainability goals. Our Net Zero ambitions mean that this needs to be achieved whilst simultaneously meeting the goals set out in the UKRI 'Opportunities to grow our capability' report.
carbon 'cost' of digital research and developing adaptation strategies for managing our data as part of a Net-Zero Data Roadmap.
NERC will lead an initial 2-year UKRI-wide study to develop a survey of the digital carbon landscape, a roadmap and a set of demonstrators to ensure that our data infrastructure can achieve net-zero. Taking a systems-based approach, we will work to develop adaptation strategies for the way data is conserved, analysed and managed. This will support the aims of the UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy and the vision to create net-zero UKRI owned and majority funded data infrastructure, that places carbon-reduction targets in the context of broader research, innovation and sustainability goals. Our Net Zero ambitions mean that this needs to be achieved whilst simultaneously meeting the goals set out in the UKRI 'Opportunities to grow our capability' report.
Organisations
Publications
Smith L
(2023)
ARCHER2 Net Zero Case Study
Vanderbauwhede W
(2023)
Energy consumption of facility and non-facility computing equipment used by UKRI researchers
Vanderbauwhede W
(2023)
Energy consumption of the Janet Network
Jackson A
(2023)
Evaluating Total Environmental Impact for a Computing Infrastructure
Turner A
(2023)
HPC-JEEP: Energy-based charging on the ARCHER2 HPC service
Hays J
(2023)
IRISCAST: Final Report
Vanderbauwhede W
(2023)
Literature review: beyond-CMOS technologies
Lambert S
(2023)
Net Zero DRI Case Studies Report
Boulton J
(2023)
Value and NetZero Decision Making
Description | The project has generated significant new understanding of technical and social issues related to the carbon footprint of information technology used to support research. An open approach to engaging with the community, with constant focus on reaching under-represented groups, has created a diverse and lively community of action. Gaining technical information about existing facilities has proved harder than expected: it appears that many facilities are run by small teams with little capacity to support requests for information that fall outside standard reporting lines. It was also hard to contact the user community and because these are very large and diverse groups and there is no existing platform for engagement. |
Exploitation Route | The project is providing recommendations to funders, operators, and users of digital research infrastructure. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Environment,Other |
URL | https://net-zero-dri.ceda.ac.uk/ |
Description | Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of R& I Practice |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | The project was invited to review a draft of the "Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of R& I Practice" which was being prepared by the UKRI Environmental Sustainability Team |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Interview with HM Treasury as part of DCMS Future of Compute review |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The activity consisted of two zoom calls between the lead investigator (Martin Juckes) and Sam Currie of HMT. Sam was conducting interviews as part of the DCMS Future of Compute review and asked questions about both the sustainability of digital research infrastructure and the role of digital research infrastructure. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-of-compute-review |