Championing sustainable transformations in the north of England

The new Joined Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) centre will prioritise justice and collaboration in its approach to sustainable solutions.

Living sustainably is essential to protect current and future life on our planet. Policy that addresses sustainable living will have a transformative impact on everyday life for ordinary people, affecting housing, transport, food and employment. 

However, universal policies and recommendations can marginalise people: earlier this year, a report showed that the UK government’s net zero transition policies could push struggling communities further into deprivation. 

To create a sustainable society where no one is left behind, the JUST Centre focuses on people-centred, place-based solutions. 

This means understanding the needs of people across locations and demographics, working with them, sharing knowledge and experiences, and co-creating sustainable options that keep them safe, well and connected. 

A joined-up approach

The JUST centre will work in the north of England to create and try out community-based sustainability interventions. Researchers will connect with communities, businesses and governments in a ‘joined-up’ approach.  

In its research, JUST will investigate how to improve sustainability while actively supporting the community.

It asks which interventions work best for whom; how it can support citizens who don’t benefit from current economic and political systems; and what lessons can governments, businesses and communities learn about co-produced sustainability research. 

The University of Manchester leads the centre, in partnership with researchers at Leeds, Lancaster, Liverpool and Newcastle. They will work with the Institute for Community Studies at the not-for-profit organisation The Young Foundation and partners in local governments, businesses and communities.

The £8m investment over five years comes from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and UK Research and Innovation as part of its strategic focus on building a green future.

Justice at the heart of low-carbon living

One aspect of the project will understand the best ways to encourage low-carbon living (LCL) in communities. 

Professor Lucie Middlemiss, who leads the University of Leeds’s involvement in the centre, says: “We are delighted to be a key collaborator in this new research centre, which puts justice at the heart of low-carbon living. 

“We have strong and deep expertise in this topic at Leeds, and it has been great to bring together a strong team to be part of the centre. 

“Our research to date finds that centring justice in the low-carbon transition is critical to making it a success. We look forward to being a part of this centre which will focus on how this can be accelerated.” 

Dr Anne Owen, who will lead the quantitative work in the centre, sees real opportunities for impact. She says: “This project coincides with the release of the new census data which will allow us to build a rich picture of how UK neighbourhoods live and help us identify citizens in most need of support in their Net Zero journey.”

We need to decarbonise our economy and do so quickly, but without leaving whole regions or communities behind

JUST Centre Director and Principal Investigator, Professor Sherilyn MacGregor says: “To meet the challenge of the climate crisis and the UK’s net zero targets, we need to decarbonise our economy and do so quickly, but without leaving whole regions or communities behind.  ‘Joined-up’ means bridging the gaps between myriad but presently disconnected, evidence-based interventions and policies focused on sustainability and net zero transitions.

“By connecting sustainability with justice and research with action, the JUST Centre will accelerate the capacity for transformative action towards sustainable futures for all places and communities across the UK.”

ESRC Executive Chair Stian Westlake says: “Our centres carry out interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research in the social sciences that seeks to change the world for the better. They allow ESRC to make sustained investments in strategically important areas, giving researchers the freedom to research topics in depth.

“The climate crisis is one of the most serious challenges the world faces. To successfully transition to a zero-carbon economy, we need to make sure no one is left behind.

“The JUST Centre will show us how to include everyone as we transform our country and economy, finding new opportunities and putting power in the hands of local communities.”

A fair, inclusive pathway to net zero

Stephen Aldridge, Director of Analysis and Data at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), adds: “Net zero poses both huge economic, social, and other challenges and offers no less huge opportunities for the UK – nationally and sub-nationally.

“To tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities, policymakers and others need evidence – especially evidence on what works and what works most cost-effectively.  

“The Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) is precisely the institutional innovation we need and one I, my team and my department will work closely with across all policy areas. I look forward immensely to engaging with the Centre.”

Professor Paul Monks FRMetS, FRSC, FInstP, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said: “Achieving net zero by 2050 requires a wide-reaching transformation of the UK economy and offers an incredible opportunity for jobs, secure energy and growth all across the country. It will improve our health, our quality of life and our overall prosperity.

“We must support and empower people to participate in the transition. I welcome the establishment of this research centre and its work to ensure a fair, inclusive pathway to net zero.”