Net Zero Futures
Delivering rapid emissions reductions and enhancing our ability to remove and store carbon.
How to deliver Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions globally is a challenge that drives a lot of our research at The University of Manchester. Solutions to deliver rapid emissions reductions and enhancing our ability to remove and store carbon are critical and complex, they require participation of all aspects of society, and cannot be seen in isolation from wider sustainability goals to build more resilient, inclusive, healthy and resourceful communities.
Our Net Zero research community is exploring many different solutions that can help us achieve these aims. We look at speeding up the transition from unabated fossil fuels to low carbon energy; fast-tracking the decarbonisation of sectors such as transport, fashion and food; innovation in transformational technologies including hydrogen and carbon removal and practices like diets and travel; measuring and accounting for greenhouse gas emissions; and the systems and processes governing such transitions.
Our research considers what can enable change. For example, we look at how to finance the low carbon transition, the policy incentives that can drive change and the role infrastructure can play in providing a secure energy supply and changing behaviours. We assess not only the impacts of these solutions, but how to deliver Net Zero in a fairer, more equitable way.
We value the importance of engagement and work with communities, businesses and policy makers to generate more insightful, practical and effective solutions. Our research looks at the different scales in which solutions are best delivered, from communities and cities to international supply chains and global initiatives; and how these scales interact.
Case Studies
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Decarbonising transport and industry
In collaboration with The University of Manchester, researchers at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change worked alongside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and a team of modellers at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency to devise ways to reduce carbon emissions in the transport and industry sectors.
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Thermocill
How can a heat-saving system cut both CO2 emission and family bills? Entrepreneur Keith Rimmer worked with The University of Manchester to create a device that could lead to a reduction of around 150kg CO2 emission for a 3-bed semi, and deliver an estimated energy saving of 8% — equivalent to £93 saving on annual fuel bills.
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Net Zero Futures Challenge Lead
Dr Andrew Welfle, Senior Research Fellow in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research within the Department of MACE
Andrew has a background and interests in environmental, energy and engineering themes, and a strong track record undertaking sustainability, climate change and bioenergy research through developing modelling toolkits and analysis methodologies. Andrew is also a Topic Representative within the current UK Supergen Bioenergy Hub research programme where he works with academics, NGO, industry and government to promote the growth of a sustainable UK bioenergy sector.