A new collection of articles from University of Manchester experts detailing positive ideas to strengthen the UK’s national resilience in the face of growing global challenges has been praised by MPs and a former Cabinet Minister.
On Resilience, published by the University’s policy engagement unit Policy@Manchester, examines an array of subject areas including the urgent need to improve energy security and reduce the country’s dependence on natural gas – vividly exposed by the war in Ukraine – whilst maintaining the transition to net zero.
Other academic thinking set out in the 40-page document includes the positive role technology can play in protecting food production, how to reduce water shortages through better storage and using responsible innovation to source the UK’s critical metal needs.
The document has been warmly received in Westminster.
Wera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, said: “It is abundantly clear that the UK needs to build up its national resilience to protect us all from climate change. I am pleased to see that experts are exploring policy options to strengthen our national resilience and lessen our exposure to climate catastrophe.”
Mark Pawsey MP, a member of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, also welcomed the publication.
He said: “We stand in fascinating times as the geopolitical events of the past year and the ambition to reach net zero by 2050 have forced us to rethink our energy production and usage. On Resilience provides some insightful thought leadership and the authors should be congratulated on offering innovative solutions to some of the great challenges posed by climate change and global demand.”
The document includes a foreword from Lord Howell of Guildford, a former Secretary of State for Energy, in which he describes On Resilience as a “thoughtful and balanced series of essays on a subject of such vast complexity, importance and contention as our future energy supplies and their tangled relationship with oncoming climate violence which threaten us all.”
He continues: “Balance and realism are qualities very badly needed in tackling the many dilemmas and obstacles ahead, yet they seem in very short supply.”
Lord Howell adds: “None of these questions can be met with neat answers or solutions. But they can be addressed with shrewd analysis and fearless posing of the issues. That is what these wise and expert essayists from The University of Manchester offer.”
On Resilience is available to read on the Policy@Manchester website.
