The Challenge
Effective policy and world-class science are both needed to prevent catastrophic environmental degradation on a global scale, yet science and policy often operate in different worlds and to different timelines.
-
Environment
We need to act now to address biodiversity loss, climate change and poverty, interlinked challenges that are undermining human health and wellbeing around the globe.
-
Policy
The social and environmental challenges we face are solvable, but rapid responses are needed. Policymakers and scientists need to work together to develop effective, solution-focused policies to get results.
-
Research
To encourage researchers to work across disciplines and engage in policy work and outreach, we need to ensure that this essential work is valued and rewarded in academic career paths.
-
Collaboration
Policymakers and researchers often work at different speeds and can be driven by different incentives. Effective policy needs these communities to be aligned and work together.
The Solution
-
Fast-paced research ‘Sprints’
These will mobilise the best interdisciplinary research teams from across the University of Oxford and beyond to deliver solutions-focused science that provides the information decision makers need, when they need it. Sprints will be undertaken in close collaboration with government at all levels, industry partners, NGOs and local communities. They will build a new model for academia to work with stakeholders and catalyse a culture change around how interdisciplinary research and policy engagement is funded and delivered.
-
Delivering solutions-focused science through co-production with policymakers and feeding into the policy cycle in real-time.How does it work? Can I get involved?
Explore sprints
-
How can maritime shipping transition to green ammonia as fuel?
This Sprint brings together experts in green ammonia production, shipping and transport infrastructure planning, climate mitigation and economic analysis to determine a pathway the industries and governments can follow to transition the industry to green ammonia.
-
How do we scale up Nature-based Solutions?
Building resilient landscapes by scaling up NbS can also have a hugely positive impact on local communities, contributing to the “levelling up” agenda.
-
Can we turn waste into fertiliser?
The UK’s urban centres create high volumes of food and garden waste. Consumers are increasingly segregating this out for separate collection, which local authorities then use in anaerobic digesters and other systems before disposal.
News
-
Written evidence submitted to the EAC Inquiry on Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling
In a collaboration between the Nature-based Solutions Sprint, RSPB and WWF, written evidence has now been submitted as part of the Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) to the EAC Inquiry on Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling.
18 September 2023 -
Maritime shipping one step closer to full decarbonisation
The MPEC 80 outcomes are a step in the right direction, underlining that continued research efforts, such as this Agile Sprint, are required to inform ongoing dialogues around new policies to achieve the new targets set.
23 August 2023 -
Simple guide to help Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) assess Biodiversity Net Gain plans published
To support both developers and LPAs to successfully implement BNG, the Sprint team has developed a checklist so that any mistakes can be corrected early. Posing 15 questions over four categories, alongside detailed guidance on how to find the answer, working through this checklist is a simple and effective way to ensure best practice.
3 August 2023
No events found
Sorry there are no events found at this time. Please check back again soon. Check 'Past events' for all previous events.
Get Involved with the Agile Initiative
We are building our network of interested researchers from Oxford and beyond, as well as potential policy partners. Register your interest and we will get in touch when we have more relevant information or opportunities for you.
Register interestThe link above will open a form in a new page. By completing the form you agree to our Privacy policy.