National Infrastructure: a Societal Leverage Point for a Sustainable, Resilient Net Zero Pollution Economy

Dr Tom Dolan

My research focuses on complex infrastructure systems as enablers of societally beneficial outcomes. In particular, on the systemic interdependencies, emergent properties and dynamic context that underpin their normal operations and enable the realisation of systemic outcomes that are Net Zero; sustainable and resilient to the disruptive impacts of Global warming and other Resilience challenges; enhance the quality of the local environment; and helps catalyse an urgent transformation to a net zero GHG emission economy.

My research is systemic in scope, and includes challenges of how we systemically govern, regulate, manage (including plan, design, procure, construct, operate, maintain, enhance, repurpose, measure, account for, value and incentivise investment in) complex infrastructure systems for the safe emergence of these system characteristics.

I collaborate with colleagues from across UKCRIC’s member University, and with colleagues from professional bodies, industry, government bodies and international.

CSEI seminar series background

On 27 June 2019 the UK became the first major economy to pass a net zero emissions law requiring that all greenhouse gas emissions are  brought to net zero by 2050. The new law poses major economic, scientific and engineering challenges, and a complete transformation of the way we think of and deliver infrastructure, including Net Zero cities, as well as several hundred billion pounds of investment.

A large body of evidence, from both research and industry, sets out what needs to be done, and by whom, in order to reduce both infrastructure and industry’s carbon footprints. It is in this context that the Seminar Series will explore how a systems approach to infrastructure and seeing infrastructure as a system of systems are key to achieving climate change mitigation and a reduction in carbon and other forms of pollution. The seminars will also highlight the broad challenges we face to achieve our carbon reduction and sustainability ambitions, and the significant opportunities these ambitions yield, as well as new sustainable approaches to infrastructure design, planning, operation and delivery. The series aims to offer different perspectives – from academia, industry and policy – and to be very interactive.