CEH Science Strategy 2008-2013

Integrated Science for Our Changing World is our strategy to address some of the most fundamental global environmental problems faced by humankind. It builds upon the successful delivery of our previous Science Strategy, Health and Wealth of the Environment, which enabled CEH to gain a leading position in European environmental research.

CEH's six scientific challenges also provide an essential contribution to the seven Science Themes defined in NERC's Science Strategy 2007-2012, Next Generation Science for Planet Earth: Climate System, Biodiversity, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Natural Hazards, Environment, Pollution and Human Health, Earth System Science and Technologies.

Delivery Plan

Our strategic aims will be addressed through interdisciplinary and collaborative projects that bring together the wider research community, policy-makers and practitioners. This integration will enable us to ensure that our research is both relevant and world-class, and that the results will have a positive impacts on the environment and our daily lives.

The CEH Delivery Plan sets out the way in which we intend to address the Science Strategy challenges.

Science Strategy Challenges

Our strategic aims are embodied in six overarching scientific challenges, which are presented as a logical sequence beginning with long-term monitoring and experimentation, through to process and mechanistic research and providing solutions.

  • Challenge I: Deliver early warnings of environmental change through large-scale, long-term monitoring and experiments.
  • Challenge II: Identify processes linking physical and chemical changes in the environment with ecosystem responses.
  • Challenge III: Improve predictions of climate change models by incorporating ecological, hydrological and biogeochemical processes.
  • Challenge IV: Quantify the impact of environmental change on natural resources.
  • Challenge V: Determine the risks of chronic and extreme exposure of ecosystems and human beings to biological, hydrological and chemical threats.
  • Challenge VI: Identify strategies and control measures to mitigate impacts of environmental change on ecosystems, ecosystem services and human health.