Environmental (Commonwealth Union)_ The University of Exeter is launching the £10 million Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions, a groundbreaking research initiative focused on addressing climate-related health impacts and reducing health inequalities. Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and supported by a collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), National Trust, Forest Research, and the Met Office, the Centre will lead efforts to understand, mitigate, and create actionable solutions for the health consequences of climate change.
Operating from a central hub in Cornwall, with researchers stationed across the UK, the Centre will investigate a range of climate impacts on health, from heat-induced illnesses to respiratory diseases linked to air pollution. Led by Professor Tim Taylor, the Centre aims to not only mitigate these risks but also leverage climate solutions that avoid exacerbating health inequities in vulnerable communities. Professor Taylor highlighted the role ecosystems play in managing health risks, noting that green and blue spaces, urban design, and sustainable food systems can simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen climate resilience.
The Centre will harness the expertise of the University’s European Centre for Environment and Human Health, along with cross-disciplinary insights from humanities, computer science, epidemiology, and other fields. Exeter’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Lisa Roberts, remarked on the institution’s commitment to creating impactful, real-world solutions, made possible through long-term partnerships with UKHSA, Forest Research, and other organizations. This collaborative approach will drive evidence-based policy and encourage community-driven climate resilience initiatives.
The Centre’s research scope will cover diverse topics, such as the link between thunderstorms and asthma and the mental health effects of climate change. By engaging with the public and policymakers, the Centre will emphasize climate change as a pressing public health issue requiring immediate action.
UKHSA’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Isabel Oliver, underscored the urgency of addressing the health risks posed by climate change today, noting that the decisions made now will impact future generations. The collaboration between UKHSA and the Centre aligns with a broader goal to develop practical, evidence-based strategies for health protection amid a changing climate.
The National Trust and Forest Research will also play integral roles, contributing to urban and rural climate interventions and studying the human-environment relationship. Principal Social Scientist Liz O’Brien, leading Forest Research, will leverage insights from the Natural Environment Social Research Network to shape policy for sustainable health outcomes throughout the UK. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions aims to provide the robust evidence needed to guide policies that promote health equity and environmental sustainability in the face of climate change.
