Effective policy making is a crucial tool in the fight against climate change. As we work towards ambitious decarbonisation targets, access to high-quality evidence becomes ever more essential. Without a strong evidence base, policies risk being ineffective or even counterproductive.
This was a key theme discussed during BEI’s ‘Decarbonisation in Kazakhstan: Unlocking Investment Opportunities’ panel, where Dr Björn Christianson, Director of Business Development at UCL Consultants, highlighted the importance of ensuring policy decisions are informed by robust, reliable evidence. Academic consultancy can play a vital role in this process, enabling policymakers to leverage existing research and collaborate with experts to transform evidence from academic works into actionable insights. This creates a virtuous cycle: academic research informs policy, policy drives further research, and the growing evidence base enables ever more ambitious, evidence-led decision-making.
One compelling example of this in action is the evolution of the UCL Energy Institute’s buildings database projects. Initially commissioned by the Greater London Authority (GLA) as a London-focused initiative, the project has since expanded into a national effort, providing data-driven insights to support decarbonisation policies.
A Case Study in Evidence-Based Policy Support
The UCL Energy Institute’s work demonstrates how research-driven consultancy can scale from local proof-of-concept studies to shaping national policy:
• 2018: London Building Stock Model – the UCL team developed a 2D model of London’s buildings, analysing spatial configurations and energy use. This proof of concept demonstrated the value of detailed building-level data.
• 2018: London Solar Opportunity Map – Building on the London Building Stock Model, UCL created a city-wide map identifying areas suitable for solar energy installations.
• 2021-2023: Non-Domestic Building Survey (NDBS) – Commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UCL expanded its modelling approach to assess the hospitality sector in England and Wales.
• 2023: National Building Database (NBD) Project Initiation – Using insights from previous projects, the UCL team launched a comprehensive initiative to model all non-domestic buildings across England, Wales, and Scotland, providing a robust evidence base for the UK’s net-zero policies.
As the NBD project progresses, its insights into building energy performance are directly informing government policy, enabling data-driven strategies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Role of Industry Partnerships
Strong industry partnerships, such as those between UCL academics and policymakers, are vital in bridging the gap between research and real-world application. These collaborations ensure that academic insights are not just theoretical but are directly translated into policy frameworks that drive tangible change. As Dr Christianson highlighted during the panel, working with academic experts provides policymakers with access to independent, cutting-edge research, reinforcing the credibility and effectiveness of their decisions.
With the UK’s net-zero goals fast approaching, the demand for high-quality evidence to shape policy has never been greater. Academic consultancy offers a powerful mechanism to meet this need, creating a feedback loop where evidence strengthens policy, and policy, in turn, drives further research. This dynamic approach ensures that the decarbonisation agenda is built on a foundation of knowledge and expertise, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Links
- National Buildings Database
- Non Domestic Building Stock reports
- London Building Stock Model
- London Solar Opportunity Map
