Assessing the economic and policy impacts of climate change related tipping points for commercial fish species in the North Atlantic, CASE project with Cefas

Assessing the economic and policy impacts of climate change related tipping points for commercial fish species in the North Atlantic, CASE project with Cefas

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Tiziana Luisetti, Cefas and School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Professor Corinne Le Quéré, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Professor John Pinnegar, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

 

Scientific Background

Climate change related tipping points (e.g. a slowdown in the North Atlantic ocean currents) may pose risks to marine resources (e.g. fish) and to people’s wellbeing (e.g. food security), with consequent economic implications. This research aims to explore how projected tipping points in North Atlantic marine ecosystems could influence the economics and sustainability of UK marine resources, and to identify trade-offs for policy and management interventions. This project is part of the Forecasting Tipping points In Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Responses (TiMBER) project of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

 

Research Methodology

An initial review of frameworks like the “planetary commons” and natural capital accounting applied to Oceans sets the scene for the project to develop these further and to apply them in the following years to analyse the North Atlantic marine resources. The use of Ocean Accounts allows the identification of ongoing trends and emerging national and international losses/gains also related to the effects of tipping points, while identifying potential threats to food security. Future scenarios produced by TiMBER will then be used to analyse the trade-offs involved so to inform the economic analysis and estimate the consequences and opportunities of tipping points for the UK, while investigating how countries can contribute to the management and conservation of the commons.

 

Training

The PhD candidate will be based at UEA, and, as such, will benefit from the Aries DTP training (e.g. summer and winter schools, ad hoc courses, and workshops) and additional UEA training related to environmental economics and econometrics. Further training will be provided by the CASE partner (Cefas) (e.g. natural capital accounting; biogeochemistry and fisheries modelling). The PhD candidate will acquire and/or strengthen their understanding of interdisciplinary working, modelling and statistics applied to economics, trade-off analysis skills, and networking skills.

 

Person Specification

This interdisciplinary research is best suited for individuals with broad interests in understanding the implications of climate change and an attitude to solve complex problems from theory to decision making, combining several disciplines (e.g. economics and applied sciences). A candidate with strong statistical/mathematical knowledge and experience to apply that knowledge to economics is desirable.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Environmental economics

Project code: LUISETTI_UEA_ARIES26_CASE

All ARIES CASE studentships include a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic CASE partner during their period of study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development.

(Image courtesy of Cefas)

References

  • Luisetti, T., Ferrini, S., Grilli, G. et al. (2020) Climate action requires new accounting guidance and governance frameworks to manage carbon in shelf seas. Nature Communications 11, 4599.
  • Grilli, Gaetano; Luisetti, Tiziana; Thornton, Ann; and Donovan, Deanna (2021) "Developing ecosystem accounts for the marine and coastal environment: Limitations, opportunities and lessons learned from the United Kingdom experience. Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics: Vol. 8: Iss. 2, Article 4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15351/2373-8456.1145
  • A. Kennerley, L.E. Wood, T. Luisetti, S. Ferrini, I. Lorenzoni (2022) Economic impacts of jellyfish blooms on coastal recreation in a UK coastal town and potential management options, Ocean & Coastal Management, Vol 227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106284.
  • Durant A. J., C. Le Quéré, C. Hope and A. Friend (2011). Economic value of improved quantification in global sources and sinks of carbon dioxide. Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. A, 369, 1967-1979. https://doi.org/ 10.1098/rsta.2011.0002
  • Townhill, B.L., Couce, E., Tinker, J., Kay, S., Pinnegar, J.K. (2023) Climate change projections of commercial fish distribution and suitable habitat around north-western Europe. Fish and Fisheries, 24: 848-862.

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the  University of East Anglia Application Portal