Tuesday 13 August 2024
£14.8m invested in coastal research
Funding agency UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have invested £14.8 million in researching the impact of climate change on coastal areas in the UK.
The project will look into how past energy transitions - such as the use of whale oil for lighting in the 1800s and the production of oil and gas from the North Sea in the 1970s, have impacted historical communities.
The aim is to then explore how this knowledge can help existing communities.
The researchers will look at three areas - the east coast of Scotland, Humber in England and the Orkney islands archipelago.
They will look into factors ranging from migration and employment to mental and physical health.
Professor Alison Park, Head of the UKRI Creating Opportunities and Improving Outcomes strategic theme, said: 'Research that is firmly rooted in understanding local areas, underpinned by extensive collaboration, will be crucial to building resilient communities across the UK.
'Coastal areas are a particularly important part of this endeavour because of the specific challenges they face, including those resulting from climate change and economic inequality.'
The collaborative project, called TRANSitions in Energy for Coastal Communities over Time and Space (TRANSECTS) will involve several universities, industry partners and government agencies.
It is expected to help coastal communities deal with challenges including landfill waste release due to erosion and flooding, retrofitting and public food procurement networks.
