“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
– Aristotle
Since 2012, the Sustainable Earth Institute (SEI) has been working closely with the Low Carbon City Team at Plymouth City Council (PCC) to ensure that opportunities for research collaboration and knowledge exchange are realised. Through a number of joint initiatives, the University has been able to share expertise that supports the City’s sustainable development agenda.
Research Manifesto – ‘Creating a Sustainable Future’
In 2015, the SEI and PCC developed a proactive approach to collaboration and developed a joint research manifesto setting out some of the key local sustainability issues for Plymouth and the related research areas and learning opportunities. The priority areas of research identified included: Health inequalities, natural infrastructure, water quality and flooding, home energy, transport, knowledge economy, sustainable food, governance and participation and housing.
By working with the local council to identify the key issues we can ensure our research contributes to the development of long term solutions. Examples include research by multiple University academics into flood management that respond to the City’s need to manage increasing flood risks, and research into sustainable transport, that can help inform the City’s aspiration to provide adequate transport links and a shift away from car use.
Currently the
Low Carbon Devon project
, is helping to respond to areas outlined in the manifesto around energy use, including influencing behaviour change and technological solutions to reduce energy demand.