Skip to content
Natural Environment Research Council
Grants on the Web - Return to homepage Logo

Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/T013931/1

Topic A: Open CLimate IMpacts modelling framework (OpenCLIM)

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Professor RJ Nicholls, University of East Anglia, Tyndall Centre
Co-Investigator:
Professor C Kilsby, Newcastle University, Sch of Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Dr P Oliver, STFC - Laboratories, Scientific Computing Department
Co-Investigator:
Dr AC Ford, Newcastle University, Sch of Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Professor RJ Dawson, Newcastle University, Sch of Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Dr LS Hope, Newcastle University, Sch of Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Professor R Warren, University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr OD Andrews, University of York, Environment
Co-Investigator:
Dr E Lewis, The University of Manchester, Engineering and Physical Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr Y He, University of East Anglia, Tyndall Centre
Co-Investigator:
Dr BM Matthews, STFC - Laboratories, Scientific Computing Department
Co-Investigator:
Dr V Glenis, Newcastle University, Sch of Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Mr A Minns, University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
Science Area:
Atmospheric
Earth
Freshwater
Marine
Terrestrial
Overall Classification:
Unknown
ENRIs:
Biodiversity
Environmental Risks and Hazards
Global Change
Natural Resource Management
Science Topics:
Climate & Climate Change
Conservation Ecology
Environmental Planning
Computer Sys. & Architecture
Land - Atmosphere Interactions
Abstract:
Climate change is one of the major threats of the 21st Century both nationally and globally. This requires a joint response of mitigation and adaptation as enshrined in the UK Climate Change Act, which mandates a Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) every five years and a quinquennial National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to adapt to the climate risks that are identified. Assessing climate risks and adaptation in a consistent manner is scientifically challenging as climate change is manifest in multiple ways (rising temperature and sea level, changing precipitation, etc.) and impacts every human and natural system. Further there are direct and indirect impacts as these effects cascade and interact with other sectors which are often changing due to non-climate processes. Any proposed adaptations need to be assessed in a similar manner including direct and indirect effects and unintended consequences. Earlier UK climate assessments did not fully address this challenge relying in part on expert synthesis for integration, potentially leading to an over focus on direct consequences and leading to inconsistencies between sectors and between adaptation options. The OpenCLIM project is designed to support UK assessment of climate risks and adaptation needs, and future CCRAs and NAPs in particular, by developing and applying a first UK integrated assessment for climate impacts and adaptation. First and foremost we aim to develop an open, innovative and flexible platform to provide an improved capacity for the next CCRA and NAP. Our model will consider UK-wide climate impacts and adaptation in biodiversity, agriculture, infrastructure and urban areas, considering the impacts of flooding, heat stress and changing temperature and precipitation. It will also consider two detailed case studies: (1) an urban analysis of Glasgow and environs (the Clyde); and (2) a more rural analysis of the Norfolk Broads and environs. These will serve as a demonstration and validation exercise to inform the national analysis. Secondly, we will also design an open-access platform with a strong legacy which is flexible to allow further development of the integrated model beyond this funding. We aspire to develop a community model where new and improved models could be easily incorporated and innovative science and new policy questions investigated. Hence future CCRAs and NAPs could be linked to a living science process, drawing on evolving understanding and stakeholder needs. This would include improving knowledge in established sectors and areas, and developing better sectoral linkages and interactions, as well as adding new models of less established sectors and areas as they emerge, including the ability to reframe and pose new questions. Recognising the significant challenge of achieving this second goal, our model will be developed within the UKCIRC DAFNI (Data & Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure) facility for High Performance Computing. The platform will be designed to take the UKCP18 and new UK socioeconomic scenarios to ensure the best scientific inputs. The approach will be explicitly spatial and allow highlighting of geographical hotspot areas and the prioritisation of risks in a systematic and consistent manner including tabulation and mapping of outputs. The models that are included are all physically-based (rather than emulators or rules-of-thumb) and this will enable the generation of new research insights, including climatic risks in the UK. Importantly, the use of physically-based models will allow credible simulation of conditions that have not been previously observed and improve confidence in the results compared to earlier analyses.
Period of Award:
1 May 2020 - 31 Aug 2023
Value:
£1,869,001 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NE/T013931/1
Grant Stage:
Completed
Scheme:
Directed (Research Programmes)
Grant Status:
Closed

This grant award has a total value of £1,869,001  

top of page


FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

DI - Other CostsIndirect - Indirect CostsDA - InvestigatorsDI - StaffDA - Estate CostsDA - Other Directly AllocatedDI - T&S
£107,375£678,814£155,344£646,362£152,806£13,977£114,323

If you need further help, please read the user guide.