Influencing policy and practice
Our researchers are part of a number of committees and advisory groups which work to influence policy and practice to address the environmental challenges our world faces.
We've pulled together some examples of the contributions that our researchers make to these committees and advisory groups. Read on to find out a bit more about the aims of each group.
Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP)
COMEAP, part of the UK Department of Health, provides advice to government departments and agencies on all matters concerning the effects of air pollutants on health.
My role on the committee is to provide expertise on indoor and outdoor air chemistry, with relevance to health. During my time on the committee, I have contributed to several reports such as the health impact of long term exposure to pollutants. I also led a sub-group to investigate the impacts of air quality on the London Underground on health.
Professor Nicola Carslaw, member of Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP)
Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
The CCAC helps partners and stakeholders create policies and practices that will deliver substantial reductions in short-lived climate pollutant emissions. Focusing on particular emission sectors, for example agriculture, oil and gas, the CCAC’s Solution Centre provides advice, guidelines, and tools to countries developing low emissions development plans.
As an expert in agriculture and low emission development, I am part of a dedicated Scientific Advisory Panel which keeps CCAC abreast of new scientific developments on short-lived climate pollutants, answers specific questions, and informs policy discussions.
Professor Lisa Emberson, member of Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments (CL:AIRE)
CL:AIRE is a UK charity largely funded by industry that develops training resources and provides information relevant to best practice and innovation in sustainable land reuse.
I'm a member of the Technical Research Group. We provide input to the training courses that CL:AIRE develops and give feedback on the technical publications that CL:AIRE produces. This keeps stakeholders informed on recent developments related to land, water and environmental management in the industrial and construction sectors.
Professor Mark Hodson, member of Contaminated Land: Applications in the Real Environment (CL:AIRE)
Project UK Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs)
FIPs is coordinated by the Marine Stewardship Council and brings together the private and public sectors to address environmental challenges in the fisheries. There are eight FIPs that cover the breadth of the UK and focus on seven different species of fish. These fisheries were selected by the supply chain because they bring commercial, economic, and cultural benefits to UK communities.
Due to my expertise, I'm on the steering committee of both the Channel scallops and UK scallops FIPs, and I also conduct supporting research.
Dr Bryce Stewart, member of Project UK Scallops Steering Committee
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the scientific basis of climate change, from its potential impacts to how we can mitigate its effects and adapt to the changes already underway. Experts volunteer their time as IPCC authors to assess the many scientific papers published since the previous IPCC report.
I was a lead author for the IPCC's 6th Assessment Report (AR6) on chapter 8, which focused on poverty, livelihoods and sustainable development. I was coordinating lead author for one of the AR6 cross-chapter papers on deserts, semi-arid ecosystems and desertification, and part of the team responsible for development of the AR6 technical summary and summary for policymakers. The assessment report provides governments with a scientific basis to develop climate policies.
Professor Lindsay Stringer, member of IPCC