Get ready for a ground breaking project that aims to bridge the gap between science and policy! The University of Exeter is leading the charge with their experts working tirelessly to achieve net zero.
In a major research initiative, Dr Katharine Earnshaw, Professor Ian Bateman, and Dr Christopher Lee have joined forces with a consortium of 34 organizations to establish the ‘Land Use for Net Zero’ (LUNZ) Hub.
With a government grant of £6.5m, this powerhouse team will provide rapid evidence to drive the transformation of UK land, helping all four administrations achieve their net zero goals by 2050. The LUNZ hub is set to revolutionize the way governments tackle land use and agriculture as a major greenhouse gas emitting sector.
Professor Bateman's NetZeroPlus project focuses on the incredible potential of tree-planting, while Dr Earnshaw and Dr Lee's Landscape Decisions program offers innovative solutions for complex land use choices.
Professor Bateman said: “Emissions from the food system, greenhouse gas removal though forestry and decarbonisation from renewable energy places land use at the centre of net zero strategies. But decision makers need rapid high-quality information to shape policy and the LUNZ Hub is the much-needed centrepin for such advice."
Dr Earnshaw said: 'We're especially excited about the range of subjects and stakeholders working together within the LUNZ hub.”
Dr Lee said: “We think this is essential to turn academic expertise about Net Zero into practical action.”
The £6.5 million funded "Land Use for Net Zero" (LUNZ) Hub, co-led by The James Hutton Institute and the University of Leicester, aims to provide evidence on land use for achieving net zero by 2050.
It will also raise awareness about the crucial role of land as a carbon sink or source. Agriculture and land use greatly impact greenhouse gas emissions, but progress in decarbonization lags behind other sectors.
The Hub will focus on collaboration and advanced modelling to develop innovative net zero scenarios and pathways. It is co-funded by UKRI, Defra, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Scottish Government, and will run for 40 months from 1 November 2023.
Brace yourself for a game-changing collaboration that will shape a greener future!
This news story has been produced by Chesil Radio's News Team, for more information please visit: https://www.chesilradio.com