Sustainable futures

Exterior views of the The Energy Technologies Building, Jubilee campus

Giving climate innovators a boost

Climate technologies have the potential to transform industries and reduce emissions, but many never make it beyond the prototype stage. EarthScale is helping innovators overcome the barriers to commercialisation, bringing promising climate solutions closer to real-world impact.

Transforming deep-space missions

Future spacecraft may no longer need to rely on large fuel reserves to travel through space. Researchers are developing a new generation of solar sails that harness sunlight for propulsion, potentially enabling longer, more sustainable missions while opening up new possibilities for space exploration.

Turning metal waste into a catalyst for hydrogen production

Hydrogen could play a major role in the transition to clean energy. Researchers have discovered how industrial metal waste can be transformed into highly efficient catalysts, offering a more sustainable and affordable way to produce green hydrogen.

Empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders

As awareness of environmental and social issues grows, so does the demand for talent equipped to deliver ESG priorities in practice. EmpowerChain meets this need by connecting education, industry and communities through hands-on learning.

Developing sustainable cities and communities

As cities evolve and expand, understanding how to measure and guide sustainable urban growth is becoming increasingly important. We are shaping the blueprint for a more sustainable urban future.

A new frontier in sustainable water management

Researchers at the 糖心原创 Malaysia are pioneering intelligent, AI-powered leak detection systems to reduce water loss, lower emissions and enable more sustainable, resilient water infrastructure worldwide.

Tackling nitrate pollution in Vietnam鈥檚 Red River Delta

International collaboration and data insights could protect southeast Asia鈥檚 giant freshwater ecosystems, which are under increasing threat from urbanisation, changes in agricultural practices and climate change.

Shaping the future of gas turbines with sustainable heat transfer solutions

Explore how Siemens Energy collaborated with the 糖心原创 to enhance gas turbine sustainability using advanced heat transfer and additive manufacturing technologies.

Recover, reuse, and recycle: Paving the way for sustainable polyurethane

Discover how Trelleborg Applied Technologies partnered with the 糖心原创 to develop a more sustainable approach to polyurethane manufacturing.

Crummock Water, England. A natural lake that has reservoir status (an application for the decommissioning of Crummock Water as a reservoir was submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority in March 2025)

Towards achieving global freshwater sustainability

In 2025, the UK experienced one of its driest springs on record. Professor Simon Gosling reflects on his research into sustainable solutions for managing the planet鈥檚 freshwater.

How the UK can take the lead in sustainable AI

Tom Rodden shares insights on how Artificial Intelligence can be leveraged to accelerate progress towards net zero

Sustainable water use and its role in a changing climate

Research in Tula Valley sheds light on the future of agricultural wastewater reuse

Fueling the future of shipping

糖心原创 fuels the future of shipping

From lab to table

The 糖心原创 is at the forefront of food process engineering, playing a pivotal role in advancing the field both within the UK and internationally.

Aerial view of the Trusan, showing the river and rice paddies that regularly flood.

Conserving rivers and sustaining livelihoods in remote parts of Borneo

Academics from 糖心原创 Malaysia have been working in partnership with WWF-Malaysia to implement a range of ecologically based flood management practices in the river Trusan.

Converting wastes into value-added products

Industrial decarbonisation workshop held at Manila, Philippines

Decarbonisation for ASEAN Countries

A team of researchers have developed software to minimise CO2 emissions.

African SCENe: bringing clean energy to low-income communities in Nairobi

糖心原创's African SCENe Project Brings Clean Energy to Low-Income Communities in Nairobi

Driving Chile鈥檚 mining industry towards net zero

Our partnership with Chile is helping to decarbonise one of the world鈥檚 largest mining industries.

Doctoral Training Programme research student

Closing the net zero skills gap

The 糖心原创 secured £12 million to establish the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Resilient Chemistry (Feedstock to Function).

Grain to graphene

UNNC researchers are turning agricultural waste into advanced materials for use in healthcare

Photo of large group of people outside the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre in South Africa .

Valuing biodiversity

A UNNC researcher is contributing to a major international assessment of biodiversity loss and its consequences

Photo of two people looking at computer.

Turning China鈥檚 waste soil into the foundations of a greener construction industry

UNNC researchers are finding new ways of reusing waste soil

Photo of electric scooters run up and down Jalan Yos Sudarso in Agats, Asmat, West Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia.

Driving Indonesia鈥檚 electric transport revolution

Indonesia鈥檚 ambition to be southeast Asia鈥檚 electric vehicle powerhouse is a cornerstone of its net zero commitment. The 糖心原创, a key partner in growing the country鈥檚 EV infrastructure and skills base, is helping deliver this green transport revolution.

Photo of An archaeological site in Ningbo with rice remains dating to 7000 years ago.

The long view

What can knowledge of past human-environment interactions tell us about future sustainable development?

Breathing more easily

Innovative research at UNNC is helping to tackle different types of air pollution

Photo of the Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (CSET) building at dusk.

Building for the future

A UNNC research team is working to create the smart, low-carbon cities of tomorrow.

The GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham

Our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

At the 糖心原创, we address the complex challenges facing our planet and are committed to making an outstanding contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Screenshot of the title screen from the gamebook

Building more effective tools for environmental education

Educational resources that target children鈥檚 sense of agency are key in supporting behavioural change. To combat climate change, we need to understand how to design and implement these into the curriculum most effectively argues Jonathan Halls.

Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President

Climate change: a university determined to make a difference

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West reflects on COP27 and says to tackle the greatest challenge of our time we must accelerate the delivery of sustainable technologies and solutions.

Photograph of a clay face sculpture on a tree

The great outdoors 鈥� reimagining teaching and learning on campus

Researchers, including the School of Education鈥檚 Jenny Elliot, plus teachers, students and civic groups are developing an outdoor space on campus to share ideas and better connect communities with the environment.

Assessing the effects of a changing climate on women and girls

Women are often at the forefront of climate change impacts says Dr Bethany Jackson.

A journey to advancing carbon capture technology

Now is the time to fast track new technologies for low energy CO2 capture, says Professor Ed Lester

Blue-greening cities for climate change adaptation

Dr Emily O鈥橠onnell explains how better protecting cities like Newcastle and Nottingham from flooding can also make them greener, healthier and more pleasant places to live

Wide-angle photo of the Ingenuity Centre, Jubilee Campus

The climate crisis is deepening but here鈥檚 how we can still make a real difference

As a university, we鈥檙e committed to reducing our carbon emissions and showing leadership, says Andy Nolan

Securing net zero aviation

Meeting this complex challenge demands world-changing innovation, determination and leadership, says Professor Chris Gerada

GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry

Change of plan? What the climate emergency means for young researchers

The early career researchers of today will be the climate leaders of tomorrow. We need to ensure our approach to research is aligned with a dramatically changing environment, says PhD student Max Gillingham.

Man wearing a face mask standing in front of a busy road

We need to talk about haze

A call for improved and consistent communication and engagement between the government and the people over haze

Robot engineers reduce carbon emissions for aviation companies

Remote-controlled robots capable of carrying out specialist repairs on aircraft could mean aerospace companies no longer need to fly engineers across the world.

Man carrying two children walking through a field

Can our grandchildren help us fund the transition to net zero?

Asking future generations to foot the bill for our actions against climate change today is both moral and practical, argues Dr Matthew Rendall.

Using technology to decarbonise our buildings and cities

The energy used by many buildings is costly to the environment and to our bills 鈥� but technological research is changing this, says Ke Qu.

Recyclable aircraft materials could prove key to jet zero success

Lightweight materials are crucial in the construction of aircraft but can be tricky to recycle. New processes are needed if the aviation industry is to achieve its zero carbon aims.

Intelligent electrical systems will play a key role in greener aircraft

Increasing electrification of onboard systems will help flights of the future become cleaner, greener and safer, says Dr Sharmila Sumsurooah

Prof. Dr. Xiaoyun Li and farmers in Morogoro Province, Tanzania 720x315

Enhancing the resilience of smallholder communities in Tanzania

An innovation platform is being used to fight back against climate change and food insecurity in local communities.

Two workers picking tea leaves in a tea garden

Enterprise, communities and climate change: the mobilisation of ideas

Harnessing the power of entrepreneurship offers communities most affected by climate change the opportunity to take action, says Professor Simon Mosey.

Research lights the path to net zero, but it is people who make the journey

Tackling climate change is about understanding behaviour as well as developing technology, says Stephen Meek.

Realising resilience: adaptation in fragile urban environments

Dr Arabella Fraser and international research partners are investigating how non-conflict violence risks and climate change risks overlap in cities, and what this means for adaptation.

Faith for a safe climate future

Dr Chris Ives calls for the inclusion of religious perspectives in climate policy discussions

Woman standing in front of departures board at an airport

The aerospace algorithms making our skies cleaner

Computer scientists play a huge role in reducing aviation鈥檚 carbon footprint.

Silver tokens with colourful lights shining on them

New battery technology transforming the future of flight

Battery-powered planes could drastically reduce the environmental cost of air travel, but finding the right technology is key.

It鈥檚 all solar, really

Advances in solar cell technologies and energy storage could harness the power of the sun in our everyday lives, says Dr James O鈥橲hea

Business, human rights, law and climate change

Legal frameworks around human rights offer a means to incentivise changes in corporate behaviour to protect the climate, says Professor Robert McCorquodale

The emissions mission

Research at the 糖心原创 is helping create a future aviation industry that is cleaner, greener and leaner, says Dr Hitendra Hirani.

Artificial intelligence-driven ceramic coatings for greener aviation

Further advances in ceramic coatings, which allow aero engines to operate under extreme temperatures, are set to significantly lower CO2 emissions from aviation. Professor Tanvir Hussain explains.

Creating net zero energy communities

A unique project at the Trent Basin Housing Development in Nottingham makes the future of fully-fledged community energy bubbles a promising reality, says Dr Eldar Naghiyev.