How partnerships and innovation will deliver environmental science for a better world in 2025

by Alison Sternberg Robinson , Executive Director of Partnerships & Impact, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

A new year offers the opportunity to take stock of what came before and plan for what the next 12 months might offer. We know that the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and food insecurity will continue to escalate this year, and these issues will likely exacerbate economic and societal pressures. Nevertheless, in the face of these growing threats, we must stay hopeful when looking ahead.

Now more than ever we have the opportunity to use insight, advice and innovation – and most importantly, collaboration – to find solutions to these big problems. The sustained climate and nature action that we need to deliver against global targets is possible if we do it together. No single NGO, government or sector holds the key to unlocking these solutions alone and great research and innovation underpins the solutions that we can all use to take action.

"The sustained climate and nature action that we need to deliver against global targets is possible if we do it together."

At the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) , our ambition is clear: to make the world a better place through cutting-edge science of our environment. We know that this is not only possible, but most powerful through partnerships with NGOs, governments and businesses in the UK and internationally. Our collaborations galvanise research to tackle the climate crisis head-on, protect biodiversity and champion sustainable ecosystems.

Pioneering partnerships and innovation

The start of another year also offers a chance to reflect on our goals and vision. That is why we are kicking off 2025 by introducing the 'Pioneering partnerships and innovation' pillar of our wider Environmental Science for a Better World strategy, to ensure we rise to the challenges we’ll face in the next five years.

Our goals here, outlined in the strategy, put impact at the core of the ambitious research projects we will embark on alongside our partners and collaborators.

To lay the foundation for game-changing innovation, we are:

• Delivering scientifically robust solutions to challenges by partnering with public, private and third-sector organisations.
• Translating research into solutions for sustainability challenges working alongside governments and NGOs
• Generating commercial solutions to environmental challenges by collaborating with the private sector and other research organisations.
• Growing a vibrant ecosystem of startups, spinouts and social enterprises to feed the green economy and sustainable development.
• Engaging public audiences with our research, building on our strengths in citizen science, community engagement and public dialogue.

How our environmental research partnerships make the world a better place

UKCEH is a leader in environmental research; our capabilities and partnerships deliver the knowledge, data and solutions governments and businesses need to tackle the greatest challenges of our time.

Here are some of the pioneering projects we are already working on:

1. Harnessing environmental data and digital technologies

As part of the NERC Environmental Data Service, we collaborate with our partners to create data standards to enhance interoperability – the ability of computer systems to make use of information - and insight.

We are now entering a new era of environmental science. This era will be characterised by an unprecedented volume of data and the ability to develop and deploy it for public good. We have the computational capacity and digital technologies to uncover novel insights and profoundly influence our response to environmental change.

2. Integrating infrastructure that amplifies collaboration and empowers leading brains across the science community to make new breakthrough discoveries

We also work on building the Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure (FDRI) programme – a long-term project which, in a UK first, will monitor the whole hydrological system.

Led by UKCEH scientists, and for all the research community as well as industry and Government, the innovative programme will improve resilience to floods and droughts, by deploying instruments for observing our water environment – measuring evaporation, soil moisture, weather, groundwater and river flows.

It will catalyse innovation by working with partners across the UK, providing novel digital solutions to support data, including discovery, access and integration and help build capacity in the hydrological community through training and shared skills.

3. Expanding international reach

We are well aware that our environmental challenges are shared and addressing these global challenges requires international collaboration.

That is why we lead efforts to tackle these challenges through our work with United Nations agencies and programmes, like IPBES, UNEP, UNESCO and WMO. By strengthening our international partnerships and overseas presence, we will contribute to the UK’s global science leadership and support sustainable development around the world.

Join us and deliver environmental science for a better world

Over the next five years, we will deliver innovative research that advances knowledge across land, water and air systems. Our network of 600+ scientists will continue to level up our expertise to match the growing demand for environmental science, but we cannot do it alone. If you, like us, are focused on making the world a better place through science addressing climate, join us.?

Together, we can deliver science that bolsters the environment, boosts growth and supports people’s livelihoods.

For more information about UKCEH’s collaborations, partnerships and research, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn or email [email protected].?