Sea wind turbines

Exploring our impact on the world

The future of the planet is at stake – and our research is exploring how we can help protect it

Climate change and green infrastructure. Clean water and sanitation. The impact of plastics and pharmaceuticals. Low carbon design. Ecological systems and biodiversity.

These are just a handful of our research areas within the Sustainability and the Environment theme, led by Professor Steve Fletcher, Ocean Lead of the United Nations' International Resource Panel and Chair of Portsmouth Climate Action Board.

Our research promotes environmental awareness, explores ways to combat climate change, and we develop techniques for evaluating and improving damage to land and marine ecosystems. 

Sustainability is also an integral part of the University's strategy. We aim to become a climate-positive university by 2030.

Our plastics research

Through our Revolution Plastics initiative, we're working with partners in business, government and academia around the world to find innovative solutions to the planet's plastic pollution crisis. This is supported by our research centres. From pioneering research into plastic-degrading enzymes through to our multi-disciplinary approach to inform blue governance policies around the world.

Revolution Plastics

From developing sustainable fashion to combatting microplastics, we’re putting our research into practice, working with local groups, organisations, businesses and individuals to solve the planet's plastic problem.

Fashion design by Ashley Sookhai Bassett. Photo by Tom Buller.
Find out more

Centre for Enzyme Innovation

At the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, we're researching solutions to some of the most pressing global environmental problems.

petri dish from centre for enzyme research
Explore our research

Centre for Blue Governance

Aquatic environments cover more than 70% of the earth's surface – find out how our Centre for Blue Governance is securing the future of the planet's marine and freshwaters

blue governance
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Areas of Expertise and Research Groups

Many of the University's research areas deal directly with issues of sustainability and the environment.

Find out more about some of our areas of expertise, including:

Environmental processes and impacts

We're looking at the monitoring, movement and impacts of contaminants and pollutants in the environment, and identifying problems and potential solutions.

Pollution from factory rising into a dark grey sky
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Ecotoxicology and Environmental Monitoring

We're examining how humans impact ecosystems, and developing new ways to assess and counteract our impact on the environment.

Langstone harbour with tide in
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Environmental Change

Our research examines the changing environment and how to avoid crises in the future. Find out more about our physical and human geography research.

Aerial view of scenic Greenland Glaciers and icebergs
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Renewable Energy and Sustainability Analytics

Modelling to answer a host of questions, from how to produce renewable energy more cheaply, to how the associated logistics can be sustainable.

Windfarm at sea on a sunny day
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Resource Economics and Environmental Policy

We examine how economics influences the preservation and sustainability of natural resources such as aquatic ecosystems.

Fishing boats in a harbour
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Environmental Technology and Management

We're finding sustainable ways of tackling pollution, developing the technology needed to deal with new pollutants, and finding ways to build sustainable, environmentally-friendly urban landscapes.

Structural engineers in disaster relief training in earthquake ruins
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Green infrastructures

We're planning cities that can be both liveable for humans, while not resulting in further decline to the planet's ecological vitality.

Campus miscellaneous; June 2019
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Sustainability and Business

We're identifying how businesses can embed sustainability practices to contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Research features

Explore our features for a snapshot of our recent research work in this research theme.

Could a mutant enzyme solve the planet's plastic problem?

A collaboration between the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has created a new mutant enzyme that breaks down plastic bottles faster.

Beach with plastic pollution
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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
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Plumbing new depths of sustainable behaviour

Professor John Williams shows how nature can help our wastewater systems work better for people and the planet.

Close up of wave crashing in the sea
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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
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News, events, and blogs

Find our more about our latest sustainability research successes, our upcoming sustainability events, and read blogs by our academics. 

Carbon dioxide clouds coming from industrial site - Photo by Chris LeBoutillier on Unsplash

How to prepare our oceans for one of climate change’s silent killers

28 March 2023

How to prepare our oceans for one of climate change’s silent killers
Spinaker tower

Great leap towards finding solutions for a net zero carbon Portsmouth

10 February 2023

Great leap towards finding solutions for a net zero carbon Portsmouth
Oyster

Saving our UK coastlines by working in partnership

20 January 2023

Saving our UK coastlines by working in partnership
Picture of a curlew

$5m project to restore life to the Solent’s seascape

10 December 2022

$5m project to restore life to the Solent’s seascape
recycling plastic

Portsmouth moves up 17 places in the People and Planet University League table

9 December 2022

Portsmouth moves up 17 places in the People and Planet University League table
Nuclear Power Plant - Photo by Ajay Pal Singh Atwal on Unsplash

Fukushima to release contaminated water – an expert explains why this could be the best option

Jim Smith

Fukushima to release contaminated water – an expert explains why this could be the best option
Single-use plastic in ocean - Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash

Single-use plastic bans: research shows three ways to make them effective

Single-use plastic bans: research shows three ways to make them effective
Mapping Microplastics - Logo with introduction title

Mapping Microplastics ft. Dr Fay Couceiro

Mapping Microplastics ft. Dr Fay Couceiro
28/06/2021 ..University Buildings and textures...All Rights Reserved - Helen Yates- T: +44 (0)7790805960.Local copyright law applies to all print & online usage. Fees charged will comply with standard space rates and usage for that country, region or state.

Why the UK needs to stop exporting plastic waste

Steve Fletcher

Why the UK needs to stop exporting plastic waste
Energy charter treaty - Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

The Energy Charter Treaty lets fossil fuel firms sue governments – but its future is now in question

Leila Choukroune

The Energy Charter Treaty lets fossil fuel firms sue governments – but its future is now in question

Life Solved

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Using Robotics to Support Physical Recovery - Logo with introduction title

Using Robotics to Support Physical Recovery ft. Amy Wright

Using Robotics to Support Physical Recovery ft. Amy Wright
Tackling Racial & Gender Inequality in TV and Film, with life solved Logo and introduction title

Tackling Racial & Gender Inequality in TV and Film ft. Professor Deborah Shaw

Tackling Racial & Gender Inequality in TV and Film ft. Professor Deborah Shaw
How Fashion and the Internet are Changing the Status of Women in Iran - Logo with introduction title

How Fashion and the Internet are Changing the Status of Women in Iran ft. Dr Mahsa Ghaffari

How Fashion and the Internet are Changing the Status of Women in Iran ft. Dr Mahsa Ghaffari
Fraud Falling Under the Radar - Logo with introduction title

Fraud Falling Under the Radar ft. Professor Mark Button

Fraud Falling Under the Radar ft. Professor Mark Button
EPISODE 07: The Evolution of Cybersexualities - Logo with introduction title

The Evolution of Cybersexualities ft. Dr Trudy Barber

The Evolution of Cybersexualities ft. Dr Trudy Barber