![Aerial view of scenic Greenland Glaciers and icebergs](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-EAFE4406-DDB3-462C-84A0A7EE92C62339.jpg?itok=ss5OMoPd)
Taking action on climate change
The future of our planet and the place we call home is at stake. We're facing catastrophic change to our climate and environment if we don’t reverse the damage we've inflicted on the Earth.
Ambitious action is needed to prevent global temperatures rising above 1.5C and to protect our planet and people from the intensifying impact of climate change.
Through our teaching and Sustainability and the Environment research, we're pioneering ways of addressing the climate crisis. Our research is informing global policy to help mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. We're developing low carbon technologies and green infrastructure. And examining the impact of plastics and pharmaceuticals so we can support the restoration of ecological systems and biodiversity.
Sustainability is also an integral part of our strategy – we aim to become climate positive by 2030.
Plastics worsen climate change
The impacts of plastic pollution are well known. But plastic contributes to another, less visible, environmental problem — climate change. Find out how our Revolution Plastics initiative is taking action.
- By 2050, it is estimated that the plastics industry will consume 20% of total oil production, and 15% of the annual carbon budget.
- Plastic pollution reduces the resilience of communities and the natural world to cope with climate change.
- Plastic pollution is making the impact of climate change worse.
Revolution Plastics Institute
From combatting microplastics to analysing plastic policies around the globe, we’re putting our research into practice, working with local groups, organisations, businesses and individuals to solve the planet's plastic problem.
![Photo by James Wakibia](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/Rev%20Plastics%20banner%20-%20Photo%20by%20James%20Wakibia_0.png?h=d8a0d0a3&itok=xPSBuJXR)
Research centres
These research centres bring together expertise and resources from across the University to tackle climate change and other pressing environmental issues.
Centre for Blue Governance
We're committed to the protection, restoration and sustainable governance of our aquatic environments
![blue governance](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-D37E9615-8E8F-4653-8A29E4EFBA77A8C0.jpg?itok=ooeagMnG)
Centre for Applied Geosciences
At the Centre for Applied Geosciences, we're investigating natural and manmade hazards and geo-heritage conservation.
![Mountain view](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-189956A6-E75F-44C6-B8FB0F748628AEC0.jpg?itok=S162fbP1)
Centre for Enzyme Innovation
At the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, we are working to solve one of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet.
![Plastics bottles - Centre for Enzyme Innovation](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/CEI-plastic-bottles-600x600.jpg?h=795c9d5c&itok=45sCMviV)
Research features
We create world-leading research of the highest quality that has local, national and global impact. Explore some of our climate change research features below.
From rags to environmental riches
Dr Elaine Igoe explains how we’re making fashion more sustainable through our teaching, design and research.
![Denim jeans photo by Mica Asato, Pexels](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/1200x400-denim-jeans-mica-asato-pexels.jpg?h=167a2611&itok=IXCRCAXn)
Driving us closer to greener transport
Britain's burning question
Dr Mark Hardiman is exploring what sort of wildfires Britain can expect from global warming.
![Smoke rising from a grassland wildfire next to a forest](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/smoke-grass-land-wildfire-1200x400.jpg?h=a1d489e9&itok=1gHd6qTm)
Control systems are integrating renewable energy with the power grid
Current and recent research projects
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MaCoBioS
The Marine Coastal Ecosystems Biodiversity and Services in a Changing World project's chief objective is to ensure the efficient and integrated management and conservation strategies to help the most-important marine coastal ecosystems to face climate change.
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PO1 Sustainable Fashion and Textiles
The PO1 research project aims to create a sustainable fashion system that minimises waste and benefits our students, the environment and the local economy.
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Solarise
The objective of the SOLARISE project is to facilitate the deployment and adoption of solar electricity/heat generation in the 2 Seas region.
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PlastiCity
The PlastiCity project will carry out a study on the compositions and quantities of industrial and commercial plastic waste in the urban environment, and to develop strategies and solutions that can increase recycling in urban environments from 20–30% to over 50%.
Sustainability at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ
The future of our planet is in everyone's hands and we're doing all we can to help. We're aiming for sustainability across all our activities and working towards a low-carbon future. We're continually improving our sustainability practices to minimise our impact on the environment.
News, events, and blogs
Find our more about our latest sustainability research successes, our upcoming climate change events, and read blogs by our academics.
News
View all![Blue Justice](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/Fishermen%20Fort%20Dauphin%2C%20Madagascar.jpg?itok=HAsPWaDV)
New Study Reveals Urgent Need for "Blue Justice" in the Emerging Blue Economy
![Revolution Plastics Institute team gathered for a photo](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/RP%20team.jpg?itok=vY8JEa15)
Revolution Plastics Institute shortlisted for Environmental Leadership Award
![earthquake](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/earthquake_0.jpg?itok=DSq-WrHQ)
New Centre will prepare professionals for the emergency frontline
![BSA Float Research Day](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/BSA%20Float%20Research%20Day-99%20Credit%20RNLI-Nathan%20Williams.jpg?itok=Z87dWiTD)
New research aims to dispel myth around ethnicity and floating
Blogs
View all![FOR PGR USE ONLY](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-DE4148C7-5AF1-4239-961683C7DD37FB23.jpg?itok=lpgpnBq8)
Exciting new workshops for Postgraduate Researchers: your 2024/25 Graduate School Development Programme is here!
![Charmaine Lim smiles at the camera](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/Screenshot%202024-02-01%20at%2019.22.59.png?itok=sWUHdinx)
Charmaine Lim - A Master’s for my ideal career in elite sport performance
Life Solved
View all![What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/Life%20Solved%20website%20graphics%20%20%281920%20x%201080%20px%29%20%287%29.png?itok=H6fHYXj5)
What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?
![Life Solved website graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/Life%20Solved%20website%20graphics%20%20%281920%20x%201080%20px%29%20%286%29.png?itok=OWk7nX9t)