UK at centre of climate-change research

A multimillion-pound research facility will put the UK at the centre of global efforts to tackle climate change.

The Centre for Low Carbon Futures (CLCF) is a joint venture between Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York universities and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

The £50 million centre aims to create global climate-change strategies while building a competitive, sustainable and carbon-efficient UK regional economy.

The impact and cost of climate change and finding ways to meet the challenges will be its primary foci, while carbon-reduction partnerships will head an agenda designed to meet emissions targets.

Its first four pilot research projects will cover the regional economics of climate change, low carbon supply chains, biorenewables and carbon-capture technology.

The centre will “provide the knowledge base to generate workable solutions for businesses and communities, promote the uptake of innovations and create change in the real world”.

Says York University Vice-Chancellor Brian Cantor: “It will involve researchers of the highest calibre ... and create a visionary training environment of international quality to meet the challenging energy and environmental questions facing society.”

From January the centre’s director will be Jon Price. Since 2007, he has been Managing Director of Climate Strategies, which provides a bridge between international climate change research and its application at international policy level.

Interim director Tony Hardy said: “The centre will provide the knowledge base to generate workable solutions for businesses and communities, promoting the uptake of innovations and creating change in the real world. Its work will protect those most vulnerable to the changes that climate change will bring to us all.”

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