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

A bus traveling to campus

2022 Travel Survey sustainable travel results

We would like to thank all students and colleagues who took the time to complete the University Travel Survey in November and December 2022. The key findings from the survey are now available.
The Green Lancaster team on the Isle of Eigg

Green Lancaster's annual Sustainability Leadership Residential: Isle of Eigg

Green Lancaster’s Sustainability Leadership Residential on the Island of Eigg, where the great challenge of the Climate and Ecological Emergency is explored through the prism of the islands' unique natural and cultural heritage.
The Green Lancaster team

Green Lancaster’s Spring Trip to Hardknott Forest

At the end of Lent term, Emily and Eve from the Green Lancaster team took 20 students on the second ECOWoods visit of this year to Restoring Hardknott Forest.
Greengage EcoSmart 2023 Platinum Award logo and image of LICA building and wind turbine in the background

Lancaster University Conferences and Events+ awarded with the ECOsmart Platinum Accreditation

The ECOsmart scheme by Greengage recognises eco-friendly hotels and conference venues where facilities and services meet high standards of sustainability.
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.  

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