HEARTH: National Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat 

The HEARTH hub is one of seven new transdisciplinary research hubs that will explore ways to ensure the UK’s transition to net zero also protects and promotes physical and mental health. 

The HEARTH hub will examine how the transition to net zero emissions can benefit vulnerable populations by improving health outcomes, such as reducing heat-related illnesses and enhancing living conditions during extreme heat events 

The research will assess these benefits in various settings including homes, care facilities, hospitals, and prisons, with the aim of developing practical solutions that enhance health outcomes while supporting climate goals. 

The Hub includes 32 partners from public, private and third sectors who will work together between 2025 – 2030 to develop evidence-based knowledge, evaluation frameworks, tools and actionable, high impact solutions. The Core organisations are Oxford Brookes University, Forest Research, Greater London Authority, London School of Economics and Political Science, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Oxfordshire County Council, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, The University of Edinburgh and the University of Leeds. 

The Grantham Research Institute at LSE will lead work to ensure co-production, synergies and interconnections underpin HEARTH, and that short-, medium- and long-term, policy, nature-based, technological and behavioural solutions are feasible, acceptable and evaluated to align with CCC’s Progress Report on Adaptation.