Tackling the climate and environmental crisis is one of the University's three primary research missions. We are dedicated to understanding the sustainability challenges we face and embedding climate-conscious practices into all our research activities. Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 Our progress From harnessing tidal and wave power, to advancing materials science for better products and solutions, to deploying our supercomputers to model impacts of climate change and supporting business and policy decision making in the net zero transition, the research and innovation we deliver in partnership with business, governments, and local communities is discovering solutions to deliver a sustainable future.With over 35 climate and sustainability research hubs and numerous start-ups addressing sustainability challenges, we are driving global impact through our research and innovation. Research explorer The Edinburgh Research Explorer provides a public view of our research activity. Edinburgh Earth Initiative The Edinburgh Earth Initiative ensures that the University of Edinburgh’s research, teaching, and innovation creates just and positive regeneration for the climate. Edinburgh Innovations We're ranked joint 1st in the world for industry, innovation and infrastructure (THE Impact Rankings 2024).As the University's commercialisation service, Edinburgh Innovations is committed to supporting academics, students, and industry partners to deliver positive societal impact by driving innovation to address climate change and related sustainability challenges. Edinburgh Research Office The Edinburgh Research Office works alongside researchers to grow ideas into successful research projects. We provide expertise at all stages, from developing ideas and identifying funding to crafting applications and managing awards.Funders are increasingly concerned about the negative impacts of research practices on the environment and society, and they expect grant recipients to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. As an early signatory of the UK Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research and Innovation Practice, we are actively collaborating with others in the sector to develop and implement approaches that enhance the sustainability of how research and innovation activities are designed and conducted, reflecting our ethos as a world-leading socially responsible and sustainable institution. Research with impact: tackling the climate and environmental crisis We address the climate emergency by using our research to understand climate change and help communities adapt. Our world-leading expertise spans earth systems, biodiversity, farming, energy, space, health, the circular economy, climate finance, public attitudes and environmental politics. Learn how our researchers positively impact the planet and its people. Using AI's power to fight climate change Whether climate change or AI poses the greatest threat to humanity depends on which of the world’s brightest minds you ask. But how can the power of the latter be harnessed to help tackle the former? How downplaying green benefits could boost plant-based meat Plant-based meat sales are stagnating. To get it on more plates - and take pressure off the environment - does it need a rebrand that ignores its eco-friendly credentials? How soils changed life on Earth Soil has only existed for less than 10% of our planet’s history and around 500 million years ago, it was key to making the Earth habitable. This article was published on 2024-10-01
