Summary of the impact

The research reported in this case study demonstrates that in order to achieve a carbon neutral future whole life building carbon footprinting should be undertaken by using Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) at all stages of design, construction and throughout the lifespan of buildings. Practical tools in this area are few, and the award winning research projects reported here address this need and have had impacts in the following areas; firstly, through their direct applications in building procurement and management, secondly through changes to national standards and specifications and thus professional practice, and thirdly through enhanced public awareness at local, national and international levels.

Summary of the impact

The Scottish Government is aiming to generate all of its electricity through renewable energy sources by 2020. Research by the University of Aberdeen has produced a freely available tool - the Windfarm Carbon Calculator - that has overhauled the planning process for windfarm developments in Scotland. In changing public policy and planning regulations, and informing the public debate, Aberdeen's calculator is helping the Government fulfil its pledge to become "the green energy powerhouse of Europe" while protecting some of the country's most environmentally fragile areas. It continues to guide the actions of politicians, planners, the wind industry, NGOs and community groups.

The claimed impact therefore is on: the environment, economy and commerce, public policies and services, practitioners and services.

Summary of the impact

Our research on the economics of low carbon cities has impacted on energy and low carbon strategies and on investment decision-making in major UK cities including Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham. It has also influenced guidance issued to local authorities by the Committee on Climate Change and the Department for Communities and Local Government, and has helped to embed strategies and targets for green growth in the next five-year plan for China. The research was voted one of the most transformative ideas to be presented at the UN climate negotiations in Durban in December 2011, and the approach is now being replicated in cities in India, Peru, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Summary of the impact

International and national political negotiations and public debates about climate change mitigation policies can only progress with accurate and timely updates about the global carbon budget. Annual carbon updates have been supplied over many years, as a result of our work. The "Global Carbon Project" (GCP) has become the definitive source on carbon budgets for political and policy processes dealing with climate change mitigation and the GCP draws heavily on the School's work on the ocean carbon cycle, including ocean iron fertilisation, and its relevance to the contemporary global carbon budget. This is evidenced by its citation and influence on national (e.g. UK, Germany, Australia, USA, Sweden and Canada) and international (e.g. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) deliberations.

Summary of the impact

Carbon dioxide sequestration is the process by which pressured CO₂ is injected into a storage space within the Earth rather than released into the atmosphere. It is one of the major ways that carbon dioxide emissions can be controlled.

Research since 2004 by applied mathematicians at the University of Cambridge into the many different effects that might be encountered during this process has had considerable impact on government and industry groups in determining how the field is viewed and how it should and might be industrially developed. The work played a major role in the CO2CRC conferences and was subsequently reported to the Australian Government by the CO2CRC chair and organisers.

Summary of the impact

Research undertaken by the LRC on `low carbon logistics' has informed UK government policy on the environmental impact of freight transport, altered the official method used in the UK to carbon audit road freight transport operations, provided guidance to industry on the measurement and management of freight-related CO₂ emissions and resulted in the establishment of the first industry and government-endorsed target for cutting the carbon intensity of road freight transport.

Summary of the impact

Since 2005 the Agriculture and Environment Research Unit has undertaken an extensive programme of research related to mitigating the climate change impacts arising from agricultural land management policies and practices. The research findings that identified the impact on climate change of various policies, schemes and farming initiatives have been instrumental since 2008 in providing UK policy makers, farmers and their advisors with data and tools that helped to formulate improved climate change mitigation policies. They also contributed to the development of key guidance materials that supported the implementation of these policies on the farm.

Summary of the impact

Research conducted at the Business School's Centre for Business and Climate Change since 2008 has:

• Shaped the emerging understanding and practice of carbon accounting and carbon performance measurement internationally;
• Influenced the development of carbon indexes and benchmarks, and motivated their use by some of the world's largest index providers, investors and companies to measure and drive improvements in corporate carbon management; and
• Helped governments, businesses and investors change the ways they allocate funds, supporting a shift towards lower-carbon alternatives.

This impact has been of international significance, reaching international standard setters, investors, corporations and other stakeholders. For example, 26 multinational companies paid to participate in carbon benchmarks conducted by a spin-out company created by the Centre and based on methods it developed. 90 global investors with US$7tr of assets have launched a shareholder action initiative inspired by the Centre's research. The world's leading carbon accounting standards body has adopted a conceptual framework developed by the Centre.

Summary of the impact

In the REF impact period, our research on carbon-rich tropical peat swamp forests in Indonesia has been used to:

• Shape EU, USA and Indonesian policy on land-use and biofuels
• Underpin a major peatland UN REDD rehabilitation project in Indonesia
• Provide input into UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) publications underpinning a €75 million European Space Agency Climate Change project
• Contribute to development of robust IPCC emission factors for drained tropical peatlands
• Help a large multi-national plantation company to reduce its environmental impact
• Inform campaigns by environmental pressure groups (Greenpeace and WWF)

Summary of the impact

Research within Sheffield University Management School (SUMS) into supply chain management and carbon reduction has delivered economic and environmental impacts by helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint through lower-cost resource efficiencies. The supply chain management tool, SCEnAT, developed from SUMS research, has helped businesses change their operations to reduce CO₂ emissions, make cost savings of up to £250k per company and improve their business performance through, in one case, winning additional contracts worth £1.75m. The research has also been used by regional business organisations in developing and implementing growth strategies to support low carbon businesses in Yorkshire and Humber.