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Multi-modal key to Addressing Climate Change: From Climate Justice to Carbon Footprinting
This climate focused Grand Challenges Project is a two-part project. One that is a cross-disciplinary research that aims to investigate how we prioritize climate change initiatives and the need for climate justice to set the pace as we move forward. The other which looks at building out a toolkit that tracks our climate footprint as we head to COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
The conclusion of COP26 left a lot on the table to be considered and refocused, particularly as it relates to the active implementation of adaptation measures, meeting financial necessities, along with the realignment of energy sources. While climate change impacts are global, these effects are far more significant in developing nations, particularly those in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. UCL Researchers involved in this project will share their expertise and perspectives on how we can reduce the exacerbating inequities, decolonize climate, and look at how climate justice is key as we address climate concerns in all avenues from water scarcity to finance. The upcoming COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh presents an opportunity to act, and this project aims to provide a blueprint on how to do so with a significant impact. These ideas will be published in UCL’s Open Environment journal this summer.
The second part of the project aims to develop a carbon footprinting tool for academics travelling to COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh in November. Usable by anyone in the UK, this will provide the evidence base required for them to apply for funding from their institutions for the offsetting of their journey. Framed from a climate justice perspective, the tool will confront the large carbon footprint associated with the conference and offer information on mitigating and offsetting according to best practices. It also aims to push the envelope on the carbon footprinting of transport by considering global warming potential beyond the Kyoto gases. While the tool will be focused on travel to COP27, it provides a blueprint on how we can look at travel to future global conferences.
This project is funded by UCL Grand Challenges at the UCL and is slated to be concluded in June 2022. Details about the UCL Grand Challenges can be found here.
Research Output
Research Team Members
- Dr. Priti Parikh
- Prof. Mark Maslin
- Dr. Simon Chin-Yee
- Prof. Anthony Costello
- Prof. Jacqueline McGlade
- Prof. Richard Taylor
- Dr. Matthew Winning
Research Assistants
- Mr. Jonathan Barnsley
Mr. Jonnie Barnsley, Research Assistant. MSc Climate Change Student, Department of Geography
Email: jonathan.barnsley.10@ucl.ac.uk
Biography
Jonnie is a current MSc candidate in climate change at UCL with an interest in climate modelling, integrated assessment modelling and carbon footprinting. He graduated from UCL with a BSc in mathematics and holds a second MSc from Cambridge University in mathematical physics. Parallel to his current MSc, he is also assisting with the creation of a carbon footprinting tool for travel between the UK and COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Publications
- Ms. Jhénelle Williams
Ms. Jhénelle Williams, Research Assistant, MSc Climate Change Student, Department of Geography
Email: Jhenelle.williams.21@ucl.ac.uk
Biography
Jhénelle is an early career Jamaican Scientist with experience in ocean science and nuclear applications. She received her BSc in Ocean Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology and worked as a Scientific Officer at the International Centre for Environmental & Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) prior to enrolling at the UCL in the MSc Climate Change Programme in 2021. Her experience has been in utilizing nuclear techniques like instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) to study Jamaica’s coastal and atmospheric environment to support Jamaica's efforts in achieving the outlined targets under the Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Williams is currently completing her dissertation that investigates climate signals from stable isotopes in precipitation. Coupled with her studies, she is currently working with Dr. Priti Parikh in the collation of a comprehensive research paper that assesses climate change impacts and solutions in developing regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.
Publications
Williams, J.A., Antoine, J.M.R. Elemental composition of holopelagic sargassum along Jamaica’s coast. [Poster]. 74th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Conference, Nov. 2021. Williams, J.A., Antoine, J.M.R. Evaluation of the elemental pollution status of Jamaican surface sediments using enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, ecological risk, and potential ecological risk index. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111288 Kgabi, N., Nampadhi, L., Williams, J.A., et al. Air quality and climate change in small states of the commonwealth: Jamaica and Namibia. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment. 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.2495/RAV150091