Sustainability News

News stories

Our sustainability research is helping to tackle some of the pressing environmental and social challenges facing the planet.
A photo of sheep grazing in a field

Britain needs to grow more trees – are sheep farms the answer?

If humans hadn’t chopped down the trees, most of what are now Britain’s sheep farms would still be part of the large forests that once covered the islands. So why can’t some of these areas be turned back into woodland?

| Published by The Conversation
A birds eye view of cement being poured on the ground

Sustainable cement: the simple switch that could massively cut global carbon emissions

Cement, the “glue” in concrete, is the durable, waterproof and ubiquitous material upon which modern civilisation is built. Concrete is second only to water in terms of commodity use, and the world produces more than 10 billion tonnes each year.

| Published by The Conversation
A picture of a run down house - in the background, an affluent city

How racism and classism affect natural ecosystems

Structural racism and classism could profoundly affect the existence of flora and fauna in our cities, according to a recent landmark publication in the academic journal Science.

| Published by The Conversation
A picture of how microbes would look in the human body

Biodiversity loss could be making us sick – here’s why

By 2050, 70% of the world’s population is expected to live in towns and cities. Urban living brings many benefits, but city dwellers worldwide are seeing a rapid increase in noncommunicable health problems.

| Published by The Conversation
A field filled with solar panels, with wind turbines in the background

University of Sheffield switches to renewable electricity

The University of Sheffield has signed new electricity contracts, making its purchased supply 100 percent renewable for the first time.