Experts at the University of Edinburgh are leading two new research hubs focused on ensuring the UK's transition to Net Zero safeguards and enhances both physical and mental health.

The hubs will investigate methods for retrofitting properties to create healthy, Net Zero homes, and examine how measures aimed at reducing emissions can simultaneously improve the health of vulnerable populations.

Professor Ruth Doherty from the University's School of GeoSciences will play a key role in both hubs, collaborating closely with colleagues Professor Jamie Pearce and Dr Andrew Schurer, also of the School of GeoSciences, and Dr Mark Miller from the Centre for Cardiovascular Science.

Each of the hubs will receive up to £6 million to conduct high-impact research.

One of the hubs, the Indoor HABItability during the Transition to Net Zero Housing Hub (INHABIT), will focus on developing solutions for Net Zero housing that improve indoor air quality, health, and reduce inequalities across the UK. While the dangers of outdoor air pollution are well-established, the health impacts of complex indoor air pollutant mixtures are less understood. INHABIT will work with stakeholders to identify strategies for achieving both health and environmental benefits from home retrofitting, including improving indoor air quality and reducing issues like mould and damp, to promote physical and mental well-being. The research aims to deliver societal benefits such as healthier indoor environments, lower healthcare costs, reduced energy bills, and improved social equity.

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The second hub, the National Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat (HEARTH), will explore how the transition to Net Zero can benefit vulnerable populations by improving health outcomes, particularly in relation to extreme heat. The HEARTH team aims to develop solutions that support climate goals while delivering health benefits, such as reducing heat-related illnesses and improving living conditions during extreme heat events. The research will assess these benefits in various settings, including homes, care facilities, hospitals, and prisons.

These research awards are part of a £42 million investment by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) designed to accelerate the UK’s progress towards net zero. The hubs will concentrate on crucial areas that will benefit public health and reduce environmental impacts, including indoor environments, sustainable diets, and transport.