A new research centre focused on pioneering fresh understanding of the links between climate change and health is being created by the University of Exeter.

Together with the UK Health Security Agency, the National Trust, Forest Research, and the Met Office, the £10 million Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions is funded by UK Research and Innovation.

The centre will focus on finding net positive solutions to the well-established negative impacts of the climate crisis on the environment and human health, and is based at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health in Cornwall.

With staff working across the UK, the centre will contribute to scientific advances, policy advice and innovation to reduce the negative health impacts of climate change. It will also address inequalities stemming from the interactions between climate, environment, and health across both communities and people’s lives.

From heatstroke, to the link between air pollution and coronary heart disease, to the increased likelihood of new pandemics, understanding and mitigating the negative effects of climate change is a pressing issue for nations across the world.

Professor Tim Taylor is leading the new centre and believes its focus has come at a crucial time, he explained:

“Climate change is having major impacts on our health – whether that’s directly through heat related illnesses or infectious diseases, or indirectly through our food systems. Through better design of our urban environments, our green and blue spaces, or through food systems, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better respond to emerging health threats. Our new centre will gather evidence on emerging risks and opportunities, work with communities to create effective responses, and inform policies to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the UK and beyond.”

With projects that include a PhD investigating the links between thunderstorms and asthma, and analyses of mental health and climate linkages, the new centre’s scope will be wide ranging, engaging with the public and policy makers at all levels and demonstrating why climate change is a public health issue.

Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter added:

“We are delighted that UKRI have chosen the University of Exeter to lead this vitally important Centre. It’s testament to the globally recognised expertise of our teams. The Centre will unite researchers from our well-established European Centre for Environment and Human Health with those across disciplines such as humanities, computer science, epidemiology and more. Importantly it will build on our partnerships with UKHSA, Forest Research, the National Trust and Met Office to ensure real world impact and solutions that make a difference to people’s lives.”