Sustainability and the environment

Line of offshore wind turbines rising out of the sea against a sunset

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 Environment theme.

Led by Professor Stephen Fletcher, our research promotes environmental awareness and we develop techniques for evaluating and improving damage to land and marine ecosystems.

Our plastics research

We're working with partners in business, government and academia around the world to find innovative solutions to the planet's plastic pollution crisis. Find out more about how we're facing the global plastics challenge.

Research features

Explore our research features for a snapshot of our research in this field.

The plastic-eating enzyme that could help overcome plastic pollution

Professor John McGeehan

Studying gravestones to help preserve the UK's most iconic buildings

Dr Robert Inkpen

Explore our other research themes

Democratic citizenship

Safe, democratic and sustainable societies rely on the people in them being active, informed and engaged – and our work in this theme deals with issues of equality, citizenship and engagement around the world.

Future and emerging technologies

Our research under this theme is helping make the world a better place – we're making significant breakthroughs, developing new technologies, and finding sustainable, cost-effective ways to transform our knowledge into action.

Health and wellbeing

We're seeking to manage health, disease and disability through technological, creative and scientific developments – by developing and testing new technologies in real settings, and working to understand the mechanisms underlying health and disease.

Security and risk

The modern world presents countless security challenges – from the physical and electronic security of individuals, organisations and societies, to food safety and security, and military drone use. Discover how our work in this theme is helping to tackle these threats.