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Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/W004941/1

Renewing biodiversity through a people-in-nature approach (RENEW)

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Professor KT Tsaneva-Atanasova, University of Exeter, Vice Chancellor
Co-Investigator:
Professor IMD Maclean, University of Exeter, Biosciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor C Mckinnon, University of Exeter, Soci & Political Scien, Philosop & Anthr
Co-Investigator:
Professor KJ Gaston, University of Exeter, Biosciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor X Yan, University of Exeter, Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Professor M Lobley, University of Exeter, Soci & Political Scien, Philosop & Anthr
Co-Investigator:
Dr C Masquelier, University of Exeter, Soci & Political Scien, Philosop & Anthr
Co-Investigator:
Professor MS Heard, The National Trust, Swindon
Co-Investigator:
Dr SL Crowley, University of Exeter, Geography
Co-Investigator:
Professor G Whiteman, University of Exeter, Management
Co-Investigator:
Dr J W Clarke, University of Exeter, English and Creative Writing
Co-Investigator:
Professor S Molyneux-Hodgson, University of Exeter, Soci & Political Scien, Philosop & Anthr
Co-Investigator:
Dr LR Elliott, University of Exeter, Public Health and Sport Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr R Early, University of Exeter, Biosciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor P Challenor, University of Exeter, Mathematics and Statistics
Co-Investigator:
Professor B Groom, University of Exeter, Economics
Co-Investigator:
Dr R Lovell, University of Exeter, Public Health and Sport Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr AM Cassidy, University of Exeter, Soci & Political Scien, Philosop & Anthr
Co-Investigator:
Professor R. S. Hails, The National Trust, Swindon
Co-Investigator:
Professor TM Lenton, University of Exeter, Geography
Co-Investigator:
Professor G Shaddick, Cardiff University, Computer Science
Co-Investigator:
Professor O James, University of Exeter, Soci & Political Scien, Philosop & Anthr
Co-Investigator:
Dr AR Binner, University of Exeter, Economics
Science Area:
Atmospheric
Earth
Freshwater
Marine
Terrestrial
Overall Classification:
Unknown
ENRIs:
Biodiversity
Environmental Risks and Hazards
Global Change
Natural Resource Management
Pollution and Waste
Science Topics:
Conservation Ecology
Biodiversity conservation
Land use change
Strategic Management
Sociology
Environmental Informatics
Abstract:
We are in a biodiversity crisis. A million species of plants and animals are threatened with global extinction, and wildlife populations across much of the planet have been dramatically reduced, perhaps by as much as a half in recent decades. This is of profound concern because biodiversity underpins human existence. Biodiversity provides the foundation of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life. Increasing numbers of people, organisations and governments recognise the need to reverse the perilous state of our ecological inheritance. However, while there is unprecedented willingness to act, what we do not know is what will work most effectively to renew biodiversity and ensure continued delivery of its benefits. The Renewing biodiversity through a people-in-nature approach (RENEW) programme will develop solutions to the renewal of biodiversity. We will work, with a sense of urgency, to reshape understanding and action on biodiversity renewal across scales, creating knowledge at the cutting edge of global debates and policy development, and influencing national institutions, communities and individuals. We know that understanding of, and action on, renewal must take a step change and we will focus on the agency of people in nature, both as part of the problem and as the solution. We focus on a set of challenges: how popular support for biodiversity renewal can be harnessed; how populations that are disengaged, disadvantaged, or disconnected from nature can benefit from inclusion in solutions development; how renewal activities can be designed and delivered by diverse sets of land-managers and interest groups; and how biodiversity renewal can most effectively be embedded in finance and business activities (as has occurred with carbon accounting and climate change). This sits alongside the scientific and technical development necessary to underpin solutions options. Biodiversity renewal is a complex and whole system problem. The solutions require the creation of a new kind of inclusive and diverse research community, one that transcends traditional boundaries between the disciplines needed to tackle the environmental crises of the Anthropocene. Solutions also need to address the inequalities and lack of diversity found in current renewal practices. RENEW has therefore prioritised partnership building, to allow us to combine research with experiment, learning, sharing, outreach and impact, across relevant organisations and wider communities. Our approach means that practical impact is guaranteed. With the National Trust as co-owners of RENEW, we will have significant reach through their membership, outreach programs and public voice. Alongside other key partners in RENEW, our links are responsible for or have influence over much of the UK landscape in which biodiversity renewal activities need to occur. We will use the many landscape-scale nature activities currently underway (or planned in the near future) to develop learning, as if they were 'real time' experiments. The UK is one of the most biodiversity depleted countries in the world. Our ways of working in RENEW, the knowledge we develop, and the solutions we propose, will be of international importance. The lessons we learn will enable future biodiversity researchers and practitioners around the world to do better science, and deliver fairer outcomes.
Period of Award:
31 Jan 2022 - 30 Jan 2027
Value:
£10,421,650
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NE/W004941/1
Grant Stage:
Awaiting Event/Action
Scheme:
Directed (Research Programmes)
Grant Status:
Active
Programme:
CtE

This grant award has a total value of £10,421,650  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

DI - Other CostsException - Other CostsIndirect - Indirect CostsDA - InvestigatorsDI - StaffDA - Estate CostsException - StaffDI - T&SDA - Other Directly Allocated
£1,502,103£384,452£2,568,205£1,372,627£2,660,239£814,770£375,238£254,239£489,778

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