Sustainability

Join the UK’s number one sustainable university*

Explore research that drives the global effort to limit climate change, reduce inequality, and protect our planet and everything that lives on it.

Read below to find out more about your new home of research or get in touch with a Sustainability professor today.


For an informal discussion about Sustainability research at Manchester Metropolitan, please contact Professor Bamidele Adebisi.

 

There is a rapidly accelerating research culture here where people are supported from the very top. Natural cross-disciplinary collaboration is easy. I work with areas as diverse as our Institute of Sport and our School of Digital Arts.
Professor Bamidele Adebisi – Sustainability

Our research strength

Manchester Metropolitan’s sustainability and net zero research is led by the Advanced Materials and Surface Engineering Research Centre, the Smart Infrastructure Research Group, and the Ecology and Environment Research Centre.

Based in our Faculty of Science and Engineering, a large community of research-led science and technology educators, more than 90 engineers and environmental scientists collaborate on sustainability research that has a powerful impact.

In REF 2021, we ranked fifth nationally for our impact in Earth Systems and Environmental Science and sixth for Engineering. The case studies we submitted covered our work on international aviation emission policy, conservation management and smart embedded systems, and all were rated as outstanding.

Meanwhile, we’re consistently a top five UK university for knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs), working with SMEs to create industrial innovations that increase productivity whilst reducing carbon emissions.

Initiatives and recognition

As part of our Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC), we lead a coalition of regional SMEs, industrial partners and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Together, we recently secured a £300m investment to create the UK’s largest green hydrogen scheme.

We are the lead authors of the Greater Manchester Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy 2021–2025, and our aviation and transport experts authored influential policy reports for IPCC, UNEP, ICAO and the International Maritime Organisation.

In 2020, we won a national award for KTP of the Year for a project that transformed water metering using smart embedded sensors, and we’re a partner in the Triangulum project that established one of the largest knowledge-driven carbon districts in Europe.

Meanwhile, we work with hundreds of UK and international universities on funded projects, publications and joint PhD supervision, and we have United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) status for our work on addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

*People and Planet University League 2021, ranking in a top three position since 2013

Hear from our professors

One the great things is that there are minimal barriers to cross-disciplinary working here, making it incredibly easy to collaborate with colleagues across different faculties.
Professor Dominic Medway
As a researcher, I’ve always been independent, worked hard and had goals. But feeling valued and being recognised by Manchester Metropolitan has made me even more motivated. Wherever you are, someone recognises you and values your contribution, so you will feel rewarded.
Professor Liangxiu Han
Joining Manchester Metropolitan has been a great move for me. It's brought me into contact with wonderful, supportive colleagues and the most creative and innovative educational research community I've ever had the pleasure of working with.
Professor Nicola Ingram