Aerial view of scenic Greenland Glaciers and icebergs

Taking action on climate change

Discover how we're working to tackle climate change through our research, innovation and teaching

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.

The success of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is crucial in creating the ambitious action we need 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

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

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

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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Centre for Applied Geosciences

At the Centre for Applied Geosciences at the University of Portsmouth, we investigate natural and manmade hazards and geo-heritage conservation. Find out more

Mountain view
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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

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.

Using maths to help tackle climate change

aerial picture of solar panels in a field
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Showing how a low carbon economy can flourish

There is no Plant B poster
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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
Read more

Driving us closer to greener transport

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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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Control systems are integrating renewable energy with the power grid

Read more

Current and recent research projects

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Solarise

    The objective of the SOLARISE project is to facilitate the deployment and adoption of solar electricity/heat generation in the 2 Seas region.

  • 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 Portsmouth

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

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An aerial view of a GB Row ocean rowing boat

National Survey finds microplastics pollution around Britain’s coastline up to 100 times worse than previously recorded

27 March 2023

National Survey finds microplastics pollution around Britain’s coastline up to 100 times worse than previously recorded
Two people using VR

Virtual burglaries to shine light on why criminals often work in pairs

27 March 2023

Virtual burglaries to shine light on why criminals often work in pairs
Picture of Betty Joel

Uncovering the history of Hampshire-based design icon Betty Joel

25 March 2023

Uncovering the history of Hampshire-based design icon Betty Joel
Picture of book cover

Academic helps give new life to Sherlock Holmes story collection

25 March 2023

Academic helps give new life to Sherlock Holmes story collection
Empty boardroom in an office

International study suggests female corporate leaders make firms less likely to greenwash

23 March 2023

International study suggests female corporate leaders make firms less likely to greenwash

Blogs

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Hayley Irivine student story

Hayley Irvine: The simulation suite facilities are second-to-none

Hayley Irvine: The simulation suite facilities are second-to-none
Person holding hush sign with finger over mouth - Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash

Lie detectors: body language tells us surprisingly little about whether someone is being honest

Aldert Vrij

Lie detectors: body language tells us surprisingly little about whether someone is being honest
David Jones; PG Prospectus 2020

David Jones: I want to finish my PhD and make a difference to ocean conservation

David Jones: I want to finish my PhD and make a difference to ocean conservation
Person holding remote - Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash

The Last of Us – a show that surprised and challenged audiences, even those who had played the game

Matthew Higgins

The Last of Us – a show that surprised and challenged audiences, even those who had played the game
Police officers lined up - Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

Casey review: key steps the Met police must take to address its institutional racism and sexism

John Fox

Casey review: key steps the Met police must take to address its institutional racism and sexism

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