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.

Revolution Plastics team obtained these images for research.
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 are working to solve one of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet.

 

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, next to a road
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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
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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

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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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THE Awards

Revolution Plastics shortlisted for Environmental Leadership Award

27 September 2023

Revolution Plastics shortlisted for Environmental Leadership Award
Physic Chat members with award

Portsmouth cosmologists win public engagement awards

27 September 2023

Portsmouth cosmologists win public engagement awards
Dr Simon Kolstoe

Portsmouth academic appointed to new health research committee

25 September 2023

Portsmouth academic appointed to new health research committee
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New project to measure the value of digital culture and heritage to society

21 September 2023

New project to measure the value of digital culture and heritage to society
Tim Peake programme poster

Astrophysicist joins astronaut Tim Peake on an incredible journey through our Universe

18 September 2023

Astrophysicist joins astronaut Tim Peake on an incredible journey through our Universe

Blogs

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Centre of Port Cities and Maritime Cultures Photos

Prestigious Leverhulme Fellowship Attached to New Research Centre

Prestigious Leverhulme Fellowship Attached to New Research Centre
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Zarin Jahera Purne: The University has provided me with incredible experiences

Zarin Jahera Purne: The University has provided me with incredible experiences
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Ukraine war: beware all the talk of ‘breakthroughs’ or ‘gamechangers’ – it’s going to be a long, bloody and costly struggle

Frank Ledwidge

Ukraine war: beware all the talk of ‘breakthroughs’ or ‘gamechangers’ – it’s going to be a long, bloody and costly struggle
PGT/Postgraduate Taught use only

Chibuzor Ajoko Dennis: I wanted to earn an qualification from an internationally recognised institution

Chibuzor Ajoko Dennis: I wanted to earn an qualification from an internationally recognised institution
Tv with red  light and with Netflix logo - Photo by Thibault Penin on Unsplash

Sex Education review: this ‘kind comedy’ climaxes with its most mature and progressive series yet

Deborah Shaw

Sex Education review: this ‘kind comedy’ climaxes with its most mature and progressive series yet

Life Solved

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Parenting book with Life Solved Logo and introduction title

Putting parenting shaming on the naughty step

Putting parenting shaming on the naughty step
Calendar with life solved logo and introduction title

The history of the weekend - should they be longer?

The history of the weekend - should they be longer?
Car charging with Life solved logo and introduction title

Batteries – leading the charge in sustainable energy

Batteries – leading the charge in sustainable energy
Gordon Watson holding kelp with Life Solved Logo and introduction title

Nature’s leading role in cleaning up our waters

Nature’s leading role in cleaning up our waters
Pictures of crime scene with numbers marked and Life Solved logo with introduction title

The reality of CSI

The reality of CSI