Cross-cutting themes

As well as the main themes, we have three key ‘principles’ and three cross cutting areas to ensure we continue to embed the systems-thinking approach we have developed, and which has been a primary motivator for the TZP activities. 

Cross-cutting themes

The three cross cutting themes that run through the focus themes are:

Cross-cutting themes

Education

How the research in the themes links with training and engagement of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the transition to zero pollution through PhD projects, UROP projects, workshops, public engagement activities and teaching

Flexible design

Flexible design to enable the transition – including considerations around uncertainty, design flexibility and how we go from here to the future in terms of flexible design, smart systems etc. to manage the transition from a polluting to a non-polluting society

Societal, economic, policy, and innovation challenges

Placing society front and centre; integrating co-creation and policy-outreach with research; and connecting researchers to the societal, economic and policy challenges that are part of the broader sustainability picture. Embedding an awareness of broader societal considerations for engineering and physical sciences research to develop new zero pollution technologies.

Cross-cutting principles

There are three cross cutting ‘principles’ that run through each of the themes, guiding the work under each theme:

Cross-cutting principles

A just transition

Making sure that the transition to a zero pollution society is fair for everyone, includes topics such as pollution and poverty, inequality linked to and exacerbated by climate change, access to and effects of new technologies, skills needed for new industries

Read our long read article on pollution and poverty

Maximising planetary and human health

Ensuring that research considers ways to achieve maximum benefit for the environment and for human health

Find out about Imperial's activities on climate and health

Systems thinking to avoid unintended consequences

By taking a holistic view of the issues of global pollution and working in an interdisciplinary way we will find solutions to address this major societal challenge and ensure that negative unintended consequences are avoided. There is a wealth of research being undertaken at the College using a systems perspective.

Find out more on the systems research at Imperial website