We are currently working on the approach to answering this Big Question, and more information will be given here soon. The areas that this Big Question covers includes: Once we understand where the gaps are, we will produce a route map – this is a plan as to how we will answer our Big Question. The route map will have a number of key elements. At the top will be our Big Question and then we will look to see what Outcomes we need from the research programme -if we can achieve all these outcomes we can answer the Big Question. This is the stage we are currently at for this Big Question. The next stage will be to think about the key benefits we want the research projects to deliver to meet these outcomes. Following this, we will plan the research projects to help deliver the benefits.
RESEARCH Outcomes
Energy & transport: decarbonisation through avoidance, efficiency and alternatives to fossil fuels View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits An evidence base to support system-wide decisions on water and wastewater Informing the most effective deployment of emerging technologies & methods |
Process emissions: minimised emissions through prevention, optimisation or capture View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits An ability to better select and control treatment processes in order to limit emissions More accurate measurement or estimation of emissions from specific processes |
Land use and carbon capture: carbon sequestration potential maximised View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Ability to maximise benefits of land-based measures Maximising carbon storage, and drawdown potential of biosolids Understanding sequestration rates of land cover; ability to alter land use based on carbon sequestration |
Investment, procurement: minimised emissions in materials, consumables, products & services; credible offsets View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Ability to make procurement and investment choices based on wholelife carbon Data on embodied carbon leading to consistent measurement, reporting & an industry baseline Knowledge of relative merits of offsetting options |
Customers: reduced emissions related to customer behaviour View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Ability to influence the carbon footprint of customers’ behaviour in relation to water and wastewater use Better use of the drivers of environmentally-friendly consumption |
Cross-cutting: low carbon, sustainable water cycle management View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Consistent reporting More influence over the wider water cycle e.g. urban planning Quantified wholelife carbon impacts of regulation and investment choices; evidence for more environmentally optimal regulation |
Projects coming soon.
Projects coming soon.
Projects coming soon.
| Calculating wholelife / totex carbon Project Status - Expressions of Interest
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Projects coming soon.
| Climate change adaptation - a common framework Project Status - Expressions of Interest
The water sector needs a common position on climate change risk and the measures it will take to adapt.
Context We know that disruption from climate change has far reaching effects across the environment, the economy and society. Changing rainfall patterns and temperature, as well as more frequent weather extremes mean that our water systems are at the front line for resilience to climate change. The need to adapt touches on all areas of our work, for example: customers service resilience expectations; the capacity and condition of physical assets; regulation (quality and economic alike), planning and investment; all aspects of our water and wastewater services; and the resilience of energy supplies and the wider supply chain.
A number of wider factors point to the need for a step change in our approach:
What have and what we need
Previous UKWIIR research has put us in a good position in terms of underpinning evidence and technical tools to assist adaptation work e.g. water resource planning, rainfall intensity for drainage planning. This has included the incorporation of UK climate projections (most recently UKCP18) to reinforce modelling etc.
However, we do not have a common, overarching framework for adaptation work by the water sector that responds to the international, national and sectoral drivers outlined above and also enables climate adaptation issue to be considered consistently across the Big Questions. Such as framework could include:
In essence, we have good science, tools and understanding within the sector; but common goals, methods and metrics would help make a better case for investment in climate resilience. Research needs Much of what is described above involves gathering existing work and knowledge together. However there are some specific knowledge gaps which would benefit from joint research. Namely:
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