Title: Developing a research agenda for health benefits of local climate action
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: This proposal responds to the request to co-develop PHR Programme-relevant key research priorities on climate change specifically relating to actions by Local Authorities and the Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). Those research priorities will include action and policies to limit climate change (many of which will have direct or indirect impacts on health) as well as actions and adaptations to reduce adverse impacts on health and health inequalities associated with climate change and climate actions. In 2021, the UK government published a Net Zero strategy (“build back greener”) that describes pathways to meet the new legally binding climate goals out to 2050. Over 300 local authorities (approximately 70%) have declared a climate emergency, often with ambitious targets to achieve Net Zero. Few local authority climate plans include strategies for climate adaptation and few consider the health implications of climate actions. Local Authorities can influence more than 30% of the needed reduction of national greenhouse gas emissions. The UK’s Third Climate Change Risk Assessment highlighted the climate risks needs to be managed at through actions at Local Authority level, particularly those modified by housing and planning policies. We will co-develop the proposed research agenda through a combination of literature reviews, document analyses and iterative engagements with a wide range of stakeholders through interviews, focus group discussions and workshops. We will involve nominated members of the PHR Programme as partners in these processes and all proposed areas of work will be subjected to economic assessment to consider aspects of cost-effectiveness and return on investments. We will consider research strategies that address local, regional issues, longer time frames and what is needed for “transformative change”, and the possibilities to do more than piece-meal improvements in interventions that will benefit health.

Lay abstract: This proposal responds to the request to co-develop PHR Programme-relevant key research priorities on climate change specifically relating to actions by local authorities and the Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). Those research priorities will include action and policies to limit climate change (many of which will have direct or indirect impact on health) as well as actions and adaptations to reduce adverse impacts on health and health inequalities associated with climate change and climate actions. In 2021, the UK government published a Net Zero strategy (“build back greener”) that describes pathways to meet the new legally binding climate goals out to 2050. Over 300 local authorities (approximately 70%) have declared a climate emergency, often with ambitious targets to achieve Net Zero. Few local authority climate plans include strategies for climate adaptation and few consider the health implications of climate actions. Local Authorities can influence more than 30% of the needed reduction of national greenhouse gas emissions. The UK’s Third Climate Change Risk Assessment highlighted the climate risks needs to be managed at through actions at Local Authority level, particularly those modified by housing and planning policies. Public health research has not kept pace with these rapid changes in national climate policy, or the increases in climate risks. This project will identify the key gaps in evidence for actions and policies for local authorities and the Integrated Care Systems. We will co-develop the proposed research agenda through a combination of literature reviews, document analyses and iterative engagements with a wide range of stakeholders through interviews, focus group discussions and workshops. We will involve nominated members of the PHR Programme as partners in these processes and all proposed areas of work will be subjected to economic assessment to consider aspects of cost-effectiveness and return on investments. For the evidence reviews, we will draw on methods from our own research that has synthesized evidence on both climate change adaptation and mitigation actions and health from a heterogeneous literature across multiple disciplines. We will review the suitability and limitations of different methods of economic evaluation for addressing the most important gaps in the health economic information required to inform LA decision making. Methods of evidence synthesis will include consideration of context specificity and the pace of change, as well as the multiple benefits (health, social, environmental) of specific policies, strategies and measures. We will hold meetings with Local Authority and ICS stakeholders to discuss regional and sectoral research priorities. Four in-person meetings will be held London, Manchester, NE England and SW England to address interactions between climate risks and intersectoral responses (including: housing, transport, urban/spatial planning). More focused virtual meetings will also be held as follow-up meetings on housing, transport and planning, and flooding and coastal change. Recruitment will be through networks already established with the HPRU ECH. We will consider research strategies that address local, regional issues, longer time frames and what is needed for “transformative change”, and the possibilities to do more than piece-meal improvements in interventions that will benefit health.

Research activity codes: 8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE