Summary of the impact

This case study is an illustrative example of the immediate and interim impact of our research with and for the organic waste industry. Specifically, it deals with effective management of the risk to the health of workers from exposure to bioaerosols. Led by Sykes, since 2006 a portfolio of research (both publicly available academic studies and confidential industrial reports) has been developed which led the Association for Organics Recycling (AfOR) to commission a technical guidance document for the composting industry in 2012. High-risk work activities and potential for harm to workers' health were identified, and recommendations on risk reduction strategies and good practice were made which have been endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive.

[Throughout this Impact Case Study, references to the underpinning research are numbered 1 to 6; sources to corroborate the impact are numbered 7 to 16.]

Summary of the impact

Mercury is extremely toxic and there is a worldwide need to limit its use and manage redundant stocks. Diverse research in the UoA on mercury in the environment led to a knowledge-exchange initiative: `Integrating Knowledge to Inform Mercury Policy' (IKIMP). Since 2009, IKIMP's policy briefings and reports have had a significant impact on mercury policy at UK, European and global levels. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) adopted IKIMP's decision-making framework to help countries deal with their redundant mercury. Defra used IKIMP reports to communicate the UK's position on mercury issues at EU and international levels, and IKIMP has influenced UNEP's development of the Minamata Convention, the international, legally-binding convention to limit mercury use agreed in 2013.

Summary of the impact

Research at Loughborough University during the REF period (and extending back at least three decades beyond that) has had a significant impact on national and international policy decisions governing the management of radioactive waste, one of the Grand Challenges facing society. The Unit's research ranges from deep geological disposal to abatement of marine discharges and remediation strategies for industrial radioactive waste, the latter safeguarding the competitiveness of the oil & gas and mineral processing sectors. This input has been crucial for revising the new Environmental Permitting Regulations and International Basic Safety Standards. Many of the Unit's doctoral graduates occupy important decision-making roles at key organisations such as the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield, Environment Agency, CEA (France) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Summary of the impact

UK and international government departments, agencies and the nuclear industry have benefitted from improved understanding of environmental radioactivity and the development of novel, in situ gamma spectroscopy by researchers at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC, University of Glasgow). The provision of advice and novel data has helped to develop management, monitoring, regulation and human dose assessments for authorised and accidental releases of radionuclides, and to build plans for geological disposal facilities for high and intermediate level radioactive waste.

Summary of the impact

University of Huddersfield research into the microbial production and metabolism of polysaccharides has had a significant impact in two distinct areas. In the food and health care industry it has driven developments in the use of bacterial starter cultures, leading to the adoption of new techniques to produce fermented products with proven functionality. In the policy arena, in modelling gas production by microorganisms, it has made a major contribution to the safety case for the disposal of nuclear waste, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of underground storage. In each instance the reach of the research's impact has been international with the biggest beneficiaries residing in Europe and North America.

Summary of the impact

The research of Prof Jim Frederickson and the Integrated Waste Systems Research group at The Open University (OU) has impacted industrial partners and government agencies in developing a sustainable approach to waste processes and treated products. In particular they have developed the biodegradability tests (DR4 and BM100/BMc) used extensively for the evaluation of Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) waste plants, and also the Residual Biogas Potential (RBP) test for determining the stability of anaerobic digestates, which forms part of the BSI PAS110: 2010 specification. This work is a significant contribution to the development of sustainable waste management practices in the UK.

Summary of the impact

The UK's Climate Change Bill (2008) proposed a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 60% by 2050. Tyndall-Manchester's research concluded this target was inconsistent with the government's repeated commitment to a temperature rise of no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. It demonstrated a minimum 80% reduction was necessary; scientifically-robust policies must be based on `cumulative emissions' (carbon budgets); and that targets should include emissions from aviation and shipping. All three recommendations are now explicitly enshrined in primary legislation, with the responsible Secretary of State acknowledging the "signal contribution" of Tyndall-Manchester's research to the 2008 Climate Change Act.

Summary of the impact

Research conducted by Davies et al within the UCL Bartlett's Complex Built Environment Systems (CBES) group on built environment choices and their implications — particularly for energy use and health — has contributed to a fundamental shift in global understanding of the possible health impacts of carbon mitigation measures, and has informed key policy formulation relating to this. At regional and national levels, research by CBES has informed London's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and led to changes in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, and produced a tool used by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change to inform aspects of its Energy Efficiency Strategy. The international impacts of CBES arise both from its broad influence on policy-makers' awareness and understanding of the implications of energy efficiency policies, and from more specific contributions to the development of World Health Organisation guidance.

Summary of the impact

Research carried out by the University of Southampton has directly influenced the practice and behaviour of households, business, industry and government agencies. It has:

• Contributed to the 38% reduction of waste going to landfill and the 34% increase in recycling of municipal waste from 1995 to the present day.
• Underpinned the development of anaerobic digestion of food waste from the laboratory bench to the UK Government's preferred treatment option for this type of waste in only 10 years.
• Influenced landfill management and regulatory practices so as to improve resource recovery and reduce the long-term pollution potential.

Summary of the impact

Cranfield has improved modelling and simulation capability in the infrared and radio frequency regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum. This research has been exploited by Chemring in:

• a product improvement plan for a highly detailed modelling suite that enables the assessment of air, land and maritime missile and target engagements with particular emphasis on the efficacy of the countermeasures deployed by the target.
• insights in specific areas of countermeasure product development such as the desirability and efficacy of release of the countermeasure before the threat has been detected.

Cranfield's research has also contributed to a major new Chemring hardware product called the Centurion launcher, by informing the development of the software algorithms to control the launcher in operation.