2.1
Building a sustainable future
Keywords
Low carbon, local economy, climate change, energy
security, sustainability, adaptation, mitigation
Expertise
Climate change will have a physical impact for
communities, be that increased flooding or drought-
affected agriculture and commerce.
The societal challenge is greater than the science challenge
because it requires people to think and live differently. Our
multidisciplinary research helps to find links between the
physical effects of flooding, for example, and how physical
phenomena may affect business and communities.
Research at the University drives forward the agenda for
sustainability and supports companies and organisations
which are ready to embrace change. Our expertise helps
to develop the policies and practical steps which are
required to power a sustainable economy that is resource
and energy efficient, minimises carbon emissions and
waste, and promotes healthy, functioning ecosystems as
a sound basis for human health and wellbeing.
Our Liverpool Green Economy Incubation Network
(
L-GrEco) seeks to promote a low-carbon or green
economy through shaping policy and designing
frameworks for greener decision making.
Part of the Network’s task is to assess the possible
physical effects of climate change on the city,
including storms, heat waves, higher sea levels,
floods and high winds.
It is also looking at how Liverpool, as a coastal city,
can become energy self-sufficient or even an energy
exporter. Researchers are exploring how the city
could meet its energy demand through renewable
generation (tidal, wave and wind power), community-
based approaches to energy management and
electricity generation, the use of integrated, small-
scale heating and energy distribution systems, energy
from waste and nuclear power and waste repro-
cessing. Energy efficiency measures are also under
scrutiny, including the benefits of retrofitting existing
building stock for energy conservation and recycling.
The network’s multi-faceted outlook supports
scientists and engineers as they develop new
technologies and approaches for sustainable,
resource-efficient living and ecosystem-based
environmental management.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Providing scientific evidence to support policies and
decision making on climate change adaptation and
mitigation
•
Shaping policies and identifying practical
implementation of a low-carbon economy
•
Development of new energy- and resource-efficient
technologies and services
•
Advice and consultancy and business support
on eco-innovation and product and service
development.
Low Carbon Liverpool was a joint project between
the University of Liverpool, Liverpool Vision,
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Groundwork
Merseyside. Providing a forum for debate and
knowledge exchange participants explored all the
issues associated with cutting carbon emission’s and
the transition to a low-carbon economy. The project
ran a series of seminars involving the public, private
businesses and community groups to share ideas.
The seminar brought up many big questions:
--
How can we combine a low-carbon economy with a
better quality of life for people in Liverpool?
--
How can communities, businesses and social
enterprises in Liverpool respond to new low-carbon
opportunities?
--
How will we achieve the energy security we need to
keep our lights on and our economy working?
--
What sort of skills and training should we be
investing in now to meet the needs of a low-carbon
future?
--
What sort of jobs and businesses will do best in a
low-carbon future?
The University has the expertise to investigate
these concerns and help citizens find solutions to
the problems of living and working with low-carbon
constraints.
Relevant centres and groups
•
Research Centre for Marine Sciences and
Climate Change
•
Centre for Environmental Change, Adaptation
and Mitigation
•
Institute for Risk and Uncertainty
•
Centre for Global Eco-Innovation.
Environment & Climate Change
58
2.
Physical impacts
APPLICATION AREAS
•
Energy
•
Financial and business services
•
Governance and partnership processes
•
Society and community
•
Sustainability
•
Aerospace and automotive
•
Biotechnology
•
Built environment
•
Creative industries
•
Food supply
•
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
•
Nanotechnology and advanced materials
•
Transport and infrastructure
•
Electronics and electrical systems
•
Civil engineering
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
