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 Institute

From combatting microplastics to analysing plastic policies around the globe, we’re putting our research into practice, working with local groups, organisations, businesses and individuals to solve the planet's plastic problem.

Photo by James Wakibia
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

We're committed to the protection, restoration and sustainable governance of our aquatic environments

blue governance
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Centre for Applied Geosciences

At the Centre for Applied Geosciences, we're investigating natural and manmade hazards and geo-heritage conservation.

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.

 

Plastics bottles - Centre for Enzyme Innovation
Read more

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
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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PLAYCE Pompey playground taken by drone

Grand opening of UK’s first ‘PLAYCE’ in Portsmouth

19 July 2024

Grand opening of UK’s first ‘PLAYCE’ in Portsmouth
PEC

50 new police officers graduate at University of Portsmouth

18 July 2024

50 new police officers graduate at University of Portsmouth
Picture of child sitting on a bench

Children with special education needs and disabilities at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation due to gaps in policies and services

17 July 2024

Children with special education needs and disabilities at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation due to gaps in policies and services
Women in maritime exhibition poster

Landmark women in maritime exhibition comes to Portsmouth

16 July 2024

Landmark women in maritime exhibition comes to Portsmouth
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Ruled by robots: Research reveals people prefer AI to make decisions

16 July 2024

Ruled by robots: Research reveals people prefer AI to make decisions

Blogs

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Image shows two small American flags

Why Kamala Harris has a head start in the race to replace Joe Biden

Dafydd Townley

Why Kamala Harris has a head start in the race to replace Joe Biden
The Boys poster on a building

The Boys end of season 4 review: the gory superhero-hating show sets up for its final season

John Caro

The Boys end of season 4 review: the gory superhero-hating show sets up for its final season
15/11/21.Degree Apprenticeships ..All Rights Reserved - Helen Yates- T: +44 (0)7790805960.Local copyright law applies to all print & online usage. Fees charged will comply with standard space rates and usage for that country, region or state.

Empowering Line Managers: Why not maximise Apprenticeship Outcomes with the New Labour Growth and Skills Levy

Becky Quew-Jones

Empowering Line Managers: Why not maximise Apprenticeship Outcomes with the New Labour Growth and Skills Levy
Ernest Turay

Meet our 2024 graduates - Ernest Turay

Meet our 2024 graduates - Ernest Turay
Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate transformed the culture and spirit of the England men’s team – his successor is lucky to inherit this legacy

Gareth Southgate transformed the culture and spirit of the England men’s team – his successor is lucky to inherit this legacy

Life Solved

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What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?

What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?

What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?
Life Solved website graphic

Life onboard a ship in the Southern Ocean for science

Life onboard a ship in the Southern Ocean for science
Building with plants covering it

Will architecture save the world?

Will architecture save the world?
The unstoppable evolution of the English language

The unstoppable evolution of the English language

The unstoppable evolution of the English language
Rowing boat on the Thames river

Sport saving our seas

Sport saving our seas