Making connections to secure a low-carbon future

Dr Alex Howe sitting outside the Grantham Institute

Q&A with Dr Alex Howe, the Grantham Institute's new network manager interested in decarbonisation pathways and satellite solutions to climate change.

The Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment aims to drive forward the impact of climate and environment related research at Imperial College London.

The next few years will be key in realising our low-carbon future.

– Dr Alex Howe

Stakeholder Engagement Manager

A team of dedicated staff work to translate the research into real world impact and communicate knowledge to help shape decision-making. Dr Howe is the latest addition to the Policy and Communications team, and wants to hear from readers about their priorities for moving to a low-carbon future over the coming years.

Tell us about yourself

I am Dr Alexandra Howe, but please call me Alex. I am joining the Grantham Institute from the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and I am a biologist by training, having completed a PhD at the University of St Andrews on the impact of ocean warming on wild salmon populations.

What do you do at the Institute?

I am the Grantham Institute’s new Stakeholder Engagement Manager, which means it is my job to get people talking. My role focuses on building external and internal partner networks around two of our themes: decarbonisation pathways and the application of satellite technology.

Why are these important areas for the Institute’s work?

Decarbonisation pathways illustrate how different policies and circumstances shape a country or region’s greenhouse gas emissions over time. These can help governments identify the most influential factors to support their long-term plans to reduce emissions.

Satellite applications provide a way to improve and support the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions. I am aiming to build on Imperial’s strong research, share our findings with people who could benefit and ensure we have the best information about the practical questions research needs to answer.

Why did you want to work at the Grantham Institute, and at Imperial?

I chose to work at the Grantham Institute because of the clear focus it puts on translating research into impact to help shape decision-making. I am also an Imperial Alumnus, having completed a masters at the Silwood Park campus, and was keen to return to the Imperial community.

What do you think is the most pressing issue in climate change and the environment to tackle in 2017?

Ratifying the Paris Agreement was a pinnacle of international diplomacy. But the Agreement is just words until we put it into action. The next few years will be key in realising our low-carbon future and will be reliant on the pathways and processes we develop now.

How are you lowering your carbon footprint?

My biggest weaknesses, international travel and food, have a huge carbon impact. I am trying to reduce my personal footprint by eating responsibly, using public transport and grouping international trips, however sometimes I struggle with this as there are many tempting options!

What do you do in your spare time?

Outside of work I enjoy eating out (sometimes in contradiction to my carbon foot print pledge!), sport (last year I ran the London Marathon – which I am still really proud of) and I love skiing and snowboarding (and am off to try a Spanish resort for the first time next week).

What do you want to know from the people who read this interview?

The first and most important part of my role is understanding what all our stakeholders do. I want to support Imperial staff to get the greatest level of influence for your work, and ensure it makes a difference. I need you to tell me how your work can (and is) making an impact. For people who already work with the Grantham Institute, or are looking to us, please get in touch and let's start a conversation about what Imperial can do for you.