Research into Sustainability

Two research taking measurements from plants in a lab.

Lancaster University is contributing to a sustainable future through world-leading research and collaborations with partner organisations and communities, encompassing social, health, economic and environmental sustainability.

Lancaster University had been awarded a Gold rating for Environmental Impact as part of the QS World University Rankings 2022.

Assessing research related to six of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the QS has awarded institutions around the world with medals based on their focus on ‘Environmental Impact’. The gold-rated SDGs are affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14) and life on land (SDG 15).

Examples of our research

  • Lancaster Environment Centre

    A community of experts from across Lancaster University working together to address today’s biggest environmental challenges.

  • Energy Lancaster

    Experts from across Lancaster University working with global partners to develop secure and sustainable energy supplies.

  • The Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business

    Researching and bringing together social and environmental sustainability into purposeful business strategy.

  • Institute for Social Futures

    Lancaster’s Institute for Social Futures works innovatively across disciplinary boundaries linking science, social science and humanities.

Sustainability news

Dr Georgiana Allison

New Head of Sustainability

Dr Georgiana Allison has recently joined Lancaster University as the new Head of Sustainability.

Georgiana will lead on the achievement of the university's strategic aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035 and the Sustainability Team in continuing to promote sustainability in all its forms across the university activities.

Wind turbine at Lancaster University

Wind turbine raises £200,000 for local community projects over the last 10 years

Lancaster University’s wind turbine Community Benefit Fund recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. A total of £200,000 has been donated over the last ten years and shared between different community projects that have been funded over the last ten years, with the next round of applications recently launched for 2023.  
Green Lancaster members following the River Lune

Following the River Lune: Green Lancaster’s Latest ECOWild Adventure

On Wednesday 22nd February, Lea and Joe from the Green Lancaster team led the third of our Lent Term ECOWild Adventures, a walk focused on the ecological, cultural and hydrological importance of rivers.
Green Lancaster members at Brackenhurst Farm

Green Lancaster’s Human Beavers at Brackenhurst Farm: An ECOWoods Field Trip

On Saturday 4th March, Green Lancaster volunteers joined Guy and Rob from the Ribble Rivers Trust as part of an ECOWoods field trip to help them protect Skirden Beck from flooding and erosion at Brackenhurst Farm.
Trees on campus

Experience the benefits of nature with our new Queen’s Canopy Wellbeing Tree Trail

A new Wellbeing Tree Trail to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee is in development at Lancaster University. The Trail, which will see more than 70 specimen trees planted, will provide myriad health, wellbeing and wildlife benefits to campus.
Students at a bus stop

Explore North Lancashire and Cumbria by bus with £2 single fares until 30th June and £1 single evening fares throughout March 2023

The Government’s £2 single bus fare promotion has been extended until 30th June 2023. The programme, which was introduced in early 2023, had originally been planned to expire at the end of March but will now run throughout the spring and in to early summer.

More News