IER News & blogs

Achieving a Just Transition to Net Zero is one of the defining challenges of modern times. At IER, we're excited to be part of the newly announced Just-Systems project, funded by UKRI and led by the University of Aberdeen.

Just-Systems is one of two projects sharing £10m to take a novel systems approach to net zero. The JUST-Systems project aims to develop practical pathways and accelerate action that builds on community aspirations for sustainable, liveable and resilient places.

Using a systems approach and looking at the need for a just transition, the project will identify opportunities to accelerate decarbonisation while addressing societal challenges related to fuel poverty, sustainable local economies, wellbeing, and social justice.

IER will be responsible for a case study examining the implications of Net Zero in the Welsh social care sector. Redesigning domiciliary care is vital to building climate resilience. Domiciliary care workers across the UK are estimated to travel more than four million miles daily, mainly utilising private vehicles, due to inadequate public transport and limited availability of electric vehicles. Most workers cannot afford newer fuel-efficient cars, and fuel costs are high, particularly in rural areas. Demand for care will grow dramatically, given the focus on ageing in place and a growing older population. Therefore, the system of domiciliary care delivery is a critical test case for Net Zero.