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How can local and national government act to address climate change while improving people’s health and enhancing the natural environment of cities and towns?
Climate change and local action
Climate change presents a fundamental threat to human health and wellbeing. While the health impacts of climate change are already apparent, the UK is not adequately prepared for this challenge, and there are significant gaps in knowledge and planning at both national and local government levels. However, many of the health impacts of climate change are avoidable with appropriate action and framed by the natural environment of our cities and towns. Local action on climate change can bring significant human health and wellbeing co-benefits for all, and also restore or enhance local natural environments.
Local authorities are uniquely placed to bridge the gaps in urban policy and planning, and help the communities they serve become more resilient, healthier, greener and more inclusive places to live. In response to this challenge, the UCL Policy Commission on Mapping, Governing and Implementing City Action for Nature, Climate and Health (MAGI Comission) has been established to bring together partners across local authorities and other relevant organisations with research expertise and policymakers to understand the scale of the issues and co-produce effective solutions.
What MAGI will do
Working with partners from the London Boroughs of Camden, Islington, Lewisham and Newham, the Greater London Assembly and other institutions, the MAGI Commission will develop a number of solutions to enable local authorities to create robust plans for climate adaptation with health co-benefits. We will take a research-led and policy-engaged approach and co-produce knowledge and urban solutions with partners across the spectrum of research, policy and practice; public, private and civil society sectors; and local, regional and national levels of governance.
Who we are
The Commission's activities and outputs will be coordinated and delivered by:
- Prof Catalina Turcu, Academic Lead (Professor of Sustainable Built Environment at the Bartlett School of Planning and founder of the UCL SDG Research Accelerator)
- Katherine Welch, Knowledge Exchange Lead (UCL Public Policy, Deputy Director of External Engagements and Partnerships)
- Dr Sinéad Murphy, Commission Coordinator (UCL Public Policy, Policy Engagement Coordinator)
- Ana Vadeanu, Research Assistant (UCL PhD Candidate, Bartlett School of Planning)
This Commission will be supported by an advisory group (to be established), including representation from UCL, the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Business LDN, Future of London and the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission, among others.