![Sea wind turbines](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-06D22E97-23A0-4B2E-9894CA488A27BC26.jpg?itok=hN1oJ1Up)
![Sea wind turbines](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-06D22E97-23A0-4B2E-9894CA488A27BC26.jpg?itok=hN1oJ1Up)
The future of the planet is at stake – and our research is exploring how we can help protect it
Climate change and green infrastructure. Clean water and sanitation. The impact of plastics and pharmaceuticals. Low carbon design. Ecological systems and biodiversity.
These are just a handful of our research areas within the Sustainability and the Environment theme, led by Professor Steve Fletcher, Ocean Lead of the .
Our research promotes environmental awareness, explores ways to combat climate change, and we develop techniques for evaluating and improving damage to land and marine ecosystems.
Sustainability is also an integral part of the University's strategy. We aim to become a climate-positive university by 2030.
The Revolution Plastics Institute is working with partners in business, government and academia around the world to find innovative solutions to the planet's plastic pollution crisis. This is supported by our research centres. From pioneering research into plastic-degrading enzymes through to our multi-disciplinary approach to inform blue governance policies around the world.
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](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/Rev%20Plastics%20banner%20-%20Photo%20by%20James%20Wakibia_0.png?h=d8a0d0a3&itok=xPSBuJXR)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/CEI-plastic-bottles-600x600.jpg?h=795c9d5c&itok=45sCMviV)
Centre for Blue Governance
We're committed to the protection, restoration and sustainable governance of our aquatic environments
![blue governance](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-D37E9615-8E8F-4653-8A29E4EFBA77A8C0.jpg?itok=ooeagMnG)
Many of the University's research areas deal directly with issues of sustainability and the environment.
Find out more about some of our areas of expertise, including:
Environmental Processes and Impacts Research Group
We're looking at the Earth's changing environment and the influence of human activity on climate and ecosystems.
![Pollution from factory rising into a dark grey sky](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-B0B9F5BA-0600-4443-8BB5F4A2FEFB685E.jpg?h=697ab5c9&itok=JNVO3ln4)
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Monitoring
We're examining how humans impact ecosystems, and developing new ways to assess and counteract our impact on the environment.
![Langstone harbour with tide in](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-EF128E0D-A47D-443C-B80E913A39AD047D.jpg?itok=spSKwU56)
Renewable Energy and Sustainability Analytics
Modelling to answer a host of questions, from how to produce renewable energy more cheaply, to how the associated logistics can be sustainable.
![Windfarm at sea on a sunny day](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/shutterstock_769594183_2.jpg?itok=vKyq3hfA)
Resource Economics and Environmental Policy
We examine how economics influences the preservation and sustainability of natural resources such as aquatic ecosystems.
![Fishing boats in a harbour](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-951C5199-9A35-4E24-ACB7D0EDB662670F.jpg?itok=UILL2Tsk)
Environmental Technology and Management
We're finding sustainable ways of tackling pollution, developing the technology needed to deal with new pollutants, and finding ways to build sustainable, environmentally-friendly urban landscapes.
![Structural engineers in disaster relief training in earthquake ruins](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/Environmental%20Technology%20and%20Management_4.jpg?itok=m_nokqwN)
Sustainability and Business
We're identifying how businesses can embed sustainability practices to contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
![A birds eye view of a circle of houses surrounding a cluster of trees](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-6AE9F8E7-82D8-40B3-99A4D704535729CB.jpg?itok=_ZEXj9vG)
Research features
Explore our features for a snapshot of our recent research work in this research theme.
Could a mutant enzyme solve the planet's plastic problem?
A collaboration between the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has created a new mutant enzyme that breaks down plastic bottles faster.
![Beach with plastic pollution](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/plasticsapril_1200.jpg?h=ba69e359&itok=-40Fj9fx)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/smoke-grass-land-wildfire-1200x400.jpg?h=a1d489e9&itok=1gHd6qTm)
Plumbing new depths of sustainable behaviour
Professor John Williams shows how nature can help our wastewater systems work better for people and the planet.
![Close up of wave crashing in the sea](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/sea-wave-1200x400.jpg?h=41d5f8a5&itok=voJWBxuN)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/1200x400-denim-jeans-mica-asato-pexels.jpg?h=167a2611&itok=IXCRCAXn)
Find our more about our latest sustainability research successes, our upcoming sustainability events, and read blogs by our academics.
![Revolution Plastics Institute team gathered for a photo](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/RP%20team.jpg?itok=vY8JEa15)
Revolution Plastics Institute shortlisted for Environmental Leadership Award
![People fly-fishing in the Solent](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/flyingfishing%20photo.png?itok=srpEtrRd)
International sea angling event to gather data for scientists in the Solent
![a view of Portsmouth](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-8F4F07C1-DFBE-4E89-8E9B1FEFA5656738.jpg?itok=edXsaccl)
The first seascape-scale marine restoration project in the UK receives international recognition from United Nations
![Fibreglass boat](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/fibreglass%20boat_0.jpg?itok=bUYgxgig)
Uncovering hidden dangers in our seas — Fibreglass in oysters and mussels
![28/05/2021.B-Roll Day 4 - 91ÈÕº«AV..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.28/05/2021.B-Roll Day 5 - 91ÈÕº«AV..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 o](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-F84BD07C-452F-4D4E-BA00A4DA7FECD4B6.jpg?itok=rhDw0WYq)
Families and ferry passengers get unique insight into the state of our seas
![STANDARD LICENSE; PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL ASSET FOR FULL LICENSE TERMS.](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-2D081F8B-1DB2-4930-9B0B481A8B72E9DE.jpg?itok=39KhY4-q)
New report outlines the approach the United Nations should take to tackle global chemical pollution
![What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/Life%20Solved%20website%20graphics%20%20%281920%20x%201080%20px%29%20%287%29.png?itok=H6fHYXj5)
What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?
![Photo by James Wakibia](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/%C2%A9%20James%20Wakibia%20web.jpg?itok=VWa7_dd9)
Revolution Plastics Institute attending the fourth negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty in Ottawa
Life Solved
View all Life Solved blogs![What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/Life%20Solved%20website%20graphics%20%20%281920%20x%201080%20px%29%20%287%29.png?itok=H6fHYXj5)
What happened during the fourth session of the Global Plastics Treaty?
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