Latest News
All the latest news and updates from the JUST Centre.
Bringing Together Expertise for Just Sustainability
The launch of the JUST Centre (Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations) marked a major milestone in the pursuit of sustainability and social justice. Hosted by Professors Sherilyn MacGregor (Centre Director) and Matthew Paterson (Deputy Director and Sustainable Consumption Institute Director), the two-day event brought together 25 researchers from across Northern England, alongside representatives from the Institute for Community Studies (The Young Foundation).
With support from the University of Manchester, these discussions culminated in a public launch event at the People’s History Museum’s Engine Room, where over 150 attendees from local government, business, academia, and civil society gathered to mark the occasion.
The JUST Centre’s Mission: People and place-centered approach
The JUST Centre is committed to ensuring that no community is left behind in the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. The initiative focuses on five key regions in Northern England—Yorkshire, Cumbria, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and Tyneside—where it collaborates with local communities to develop practical solutions that align climate goals with social equity.
Professors MacGregor and Paterson outlined the centre’s vision of a people-centered, collaborative approach to sustainability. Emphasizing the importance of supporting marginalized communities, Professor MacGregor stated, “To meet the challenge of the climate crisis and the UK’s net zero targets, we need to decarbonize our economy quickly, but without leaving whole regions or communities behind. ‘Joined-up’ means bridging the gaps between currently disconnected evidence-based interventions and policies focused on sustainability and net-zero transitions.”
Showcasing Pioneering Community Initiatives
The event spotlighted groundbreaking projects already driving positive change in sustainable and just transitions, including:
- Rossendale Valley Energy (Ian Madley) – A community-driven approach to energy sustainability.
- Climate Sisters (Wen - Women's Environmental Network) (Roshini Thamotheran) – Advocating for gender-inclusive climate action.
- Project Collette, Green Finance Community Hub (Ciara Shannon) – Promoting financial accessibility for sustainable initiatives.
- E.ON UK, Homes for Living (Ceri Roberts) – Enhancing energy efficiency in residential spaces.
Panel Discussion: Addressing Barriers to a Just Transition
A dynamic panel discussion featured insights from Nannette Youssef (Runnymede Trust) and Mandy Nyarko MBE, Chair of the JUST Centre Advisory Board, highlighting the social and political barriers to sustainability. The conversation focused on the social and political challenges of achieving a just transition and emphasized the need for systemic change to ensure that vulnerable communities are not disproportionately impacted by climate policies.
Emily Morrison of The Young Foundation and Impact Lead for the Centre, captured the essence of the event:
"We've made huge strides towards net zero, and with the clean energy mission and opportunity missions in government, we've got the chance to do something even more radical to ensure no one is left behind as we make this transition."
Get Involved
The JUST Centre welcomes engagement from communities, policymakers, businesses, and researchers who share its vision for a sustainable future that is not only environmentally sound but also socially just. To learn more about the JUST Centre’s work and how to participate:
- Sign up for the mailing list: JUST Updates
- Email: just@manchester.ac.uk
A Collaborative Effort for Lasting Impact
Backed by an £8.5 million investment from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the JUST Centre represents a major step forward in sustainable transformation research.
Led by The University of Manchester, it collaborates with leading institutions across Northern England, including universities of Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle, and a range of partners in the policy, innovation, business, local government, community and voluntary sectors, meet their team here.
The initiative is further strengthened by partnerships with The Institute for Community Studies at The Young Foundation and a network of impact partners such as Institute for Government, Local Government Association, Welsh LGA, Sustainable Scotland Network, British Chambers of Commerce, NHS Confederation, Citizens UK, and Runnymede Trust.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement, the JUST Centre aims to shape policies and practices that create an equitable, sustainable, and inclusive transition to a low-carbon future.