The environmental change, adaptation and resilience challenge area seeks to reduce the vulnerability of social human infrastructure and biological systems to relatively sudden change. This requires us to understand our natural environment, anthropogenic interaction with the subsurface and environmental response, and to model associated change. To do this we will continue to research our groundwater, sea floor, coasts, soils and landscapes, and urban infrastructural interactions with the subsurface.
It is likely that climate change will continue to be a major societal problem and its effects will last many years, and adaptation will be necessary. Adaptation is especially important in developing countries since they are likely to bear the brunt of the effects of global warming. This challenge area aims to help with societal needs and protect our environment; our research is underpinned by excellent laboratories and science capabilities for the delivery of evidence-based science.
Our projects

Sea floor: scientific ocean drilling
Since 2003, BGS have implemented several high profile expeditions for the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD).

Sea floor: marine geoscience
The marine geoscientists at BGS provide independent and expert geological advice, research and data acquisition to anyone working in the marine environment.

Urban geoscience
The BGS urban geoscience research group provides solutions for urban land-use planning and sustainable development.

Groundwater research
Our research addresses issues related to the sustainability of water resources and quality, impacts of environmental change on the water cycle, natural hazards, and human health.

Soils and landscapes
Increasing human populations, changing climates and the intensification in the use of our soils means that we are in danger of losing or causing irreversible damage to a resource that takes thousands of years to produce.

Geochemistry and health
We are working with Kenyan researchers to improve our understanding of the links between environment and health, strengthening our combined research.
Our facilities

Stable Isotope Facility
We are the largest UK producer of stable isotope data, particularly specialising in climate, environmental and archaeological studies

Inorganic Geochemistry Facility
The Inorganic Geochemistry Facility provides high-quality analytical expertise and specialist services for the production and geochemical interpretation of inorganic data.

Organic Geochemistry Facility
We specialise in organic geochemical measurements at the bulk and molecular level in complex matrices, like rock, sediment, soil and water.

Soil Physics Facility
Our facility provides a range of soil physical measurement services as well as complementary analyses to describe the degree to which soil organic matter is decomposed.

Aquifer Properties Facility
We undertake specialised core characterisation on drillcore and rock chippings from borehole samples for a wide range of hydrogeological purposes.

Dissolved Gases and Tracers Facility
We are the UK’s leading organisation for groundwater dating and tracing, using a wide range of environmental agents, equipment and capabilities.
Our core challenge areas
Related news

BGS laboratory spotlight: isotopes as recorders of climate and environmental change
06/09/2023
How measuring oxygen and carbon isotopes in tiny fossils improves our understanding of past climate.

Evolving policies in the face of climate change: BGS data can help
25/08/2023
Climate change is increasingly recognised as a major challenge for organisations, with the need for adaptation driving a wave of policy updates and reforms across multiple sectors. BGS data holdings are relevant to many of these changes and the following examples outline how these data packages can be applied.

My experience as an international PhD student visiting BGS
17/07/2023
PhD student Vanessa Nowinski describes her experience in the stable isotopes labs at BGS, while working on the famous Lake Suigetsu.

How does public water use influence the amount of phosphorus in the environment?
11/04/2023
New research looks at how phosphorus accumulates in public water systems in the USA.

Hemsby coastal erosion: the scale of the transformational challenge around the coastlines of England and Wales
24/03/2023
The recent closure of Hemsby beach in Norfolk provides key information on the transformational challenge of coasts around England and evidence of historical change along the coastlines of England and Wales.

Six ways we’re improving recycling at BGS Keyworth
24/03/2023
Sustainability at the BGS site in Keyworth, Nottingham, is being improved by recycling, managing our waste, making our labs more efficient and more…

Six BGS datasets for assessing shrink–swell subsidence hazards
17/02/2023
Shrink–swell subsidence is one of the most significant geological hazards affecting the UK. BGS has six datasets to help assess the problem.

Mushroom spotting at BGS Keyworth
09/12/2022
Colleagues at BGS are mapping mushrooms as part of efforts to enhance biodiversity on the Keyworth site.

Work complete on 1000 solar panels at BGS
07/12/2022
More than 1000 energy-saving solar panels have been installed at BGS’s headquarters in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire.

Film trilogy wins award and shares experiences of 1985 Nevado del Ruiz eruption
24/10/2022
A collaborative film trilogy co-directed by BGS Volcanologist, Dr Anna Hicks, has won the overall ‘Dynamic Earth’ Theme Award at the Earth Futures Festival 2022.

BGS receives funding for new system to analyse oxygen Isotopes
26/09/2022
A major upgrade of BGS’s research equipment following investment from NERC will help scientists understand historic changes in climate.

Groundwater’s role in the current drought
15/08/2022
Groundwater can play a vital part in keeping the UK’s water supply flowing, but we need to ensure that we monitor levels and rates of extraction during dry spells.