Sustainability research

Through world-leading research and innovation, the University delivers knowledge and solutions to reduce and, where possible, reverse environmental damage, to build a more resilient society and to enable effective adaptation.

We collaborate with the very best researchers and users of research worldwide to play a critical role in tackling sustainability challenges across a broad range of areas including climate and weather, agriculture, biodiversity, food, transport, energy, built environment, finance and regional development.

Working with policymakers, civil society, business and communities we apply our latest research findings to provide solutions to support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 targets set by the UN to bring about long-term prosperity for all.

Our action and research on environmental sustainability ranks us as first in the UK according to the People and Planet University League, as well as winning the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership award. We are also ranked 61st equal in the world as measured by the THE Global Impact Rankings 2023. 

We have some of the most influential climate experts in the world whose analysis helps other scientists and policymakers worldwide to understand climate data better, informing development of sustainable solutions the planet needs.

We’ve shown that transitioning to a hydrogen-based economy could reduce carbon emissions by up to 99% (when replacing fossil fuels) but that vulnerable landscapes are less able to suck carbon out of the atmosphere due to rising temperatures, deforestation and farming, undermining greenhouse gases reduction. 

Extreme weather will be to easier to prepare for after University scientists developed a new method that empowers citizens to identify solutions to the threats their communities face such as food shortages and energy disruption as well as physical threats like heat stress and flooding. 

Our research has shown that agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate impacts, from declining spring hay yields – by up to 50% by 2080 – that could impact the resilience of farming businesses, to how over one-fifth of the UK may have suitable weather by 2050 to grow Chardonnay grapes, expanding our domestic wine industry. 

We’ve shown how farms could boost food production if they planted trees and insect-friendly flowers between and alongside their crops. We’re also looking at the problem of dairy cow heat stress to ensure sustainable milk production and improve cow welfare.

We’ve come together with 15 other universities to form the Agricultural Universities Council (AUC) to turn innovation in agricultural research into practical farming outcomes to benefit farmers, people and wildlife across the UK.

We’re working to revolutionise British diets by encouraging consumers and food producers to switch to bread containing healthier and less environmentally damaging faba beans (commonly known as broad beans). We’ve also shown that younger people are significantly more likely to consider eating sustainable protein sources such as lab-grown meat or insects.

We’re running a major project to provide citizens of disadvantaged communities with choice and agency over the food they consume. We’re also teaching children how to recognise and recycle different types of containers and wrappings. 

We’ve shown that supporting and enhancing pollinators could help stabilise crop production, reducing uncertainty that causes food price spikes, but that warmer springs are causing British bees to wake up earlier, threatening the timely pollination of crops such as apples and pears. We’ve also announced a new research collaboration with Kew Gardens to develop nature-based solutions to tackle biodiversity loss. 

Our research has shown that a shortage of basic botany skills is hampering environmental improvements. We’re educating the public about the vital importance of hedgerows to support biodiversity and counter climate change.

Our scientists have showed that clear-air turbulence, which is invisible and hazardous to aircraft and costs the industry $150–500m annually in the USA alone, has increased in various regions around the world as the climate has changed, suggesting the need for investment in improved turbulence forecasting and detection systems.

We’re also helping local communities to breathe healthier air by equipping schools and families with tools and skills to identify and tackle air pollution and working with Reading Council to deliver an interactive schools education programme to increase awareness and encourage behaviour change.

Our research ranges from identifying how climate change is intensifying the world’s water cycle  leading to more extreme wet and dry periods, to showing how social inequalities are driving urban water crises more than environmental factors.

We’ve developed a new way to measure ocean carbon from satellite images and our first-of-its-kind research on releasing electric charge into fog to influence the behaviour of water drops could one day help provide enough water for the global population. 

We’re leading a key theme in the new £15 million Energy Demand Centre, aiming to change the way the UK uses energy and move energy demand loads to help meet its net zero target by 2050. Our Energy and Environmental Engineering group is leading research on issues such as energy demand, urban meteorology, air quality and pollution exposure, and climate change mitigation and resilience.

We have developed a new model to improve the design and sustainability of buildings in China by optimising ambient temperature control while minimising energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions. Our Urban Living research impacts strategy, policy and practice for climate resilience, sustainable resources use, wellbeing community, design quality, and the public realm.

We have been pivotal in developing sustainable development policies that lead to economic growth through natural resource management. We also help policy makers understand the choices and outcomes available to them when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment, ensuring that it does not come at the expense of their own sustainable development goals.

From questioning the moral obligation that people have to take individual actions against climate change to what can the arts show us about climate change, our research reflects the value of the arts and humanities in finding solutions to contemporary global challenges. 

We also shine a spotlight on the past as means of understanding the present, from understanding  how climate change has ignited a new polar power struggle and is redrawing the Arctic geopolitical map to collaborating with a local museum on Iraq’s cultural heritage to create educational materials structured according to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• Leading the way on weather and and science
• Solutions for sustainable agriculture
• Creating sustainable future foods
• Tackling biodiversity loss
• Reducing transport impacts
• Addressing water sustainability
• Creating built environment & energy solutions
• Developing sustainable development policies
• Asking the big questions

University Strategy: Sustainability
We work together to make the best use of our resources to ensure our sustainability, from reviewing how we operate to ensure financial sustainability, to playing our part in tackling climate change.

Partnering for the Planet
We work with policymakers and communities worldwide to apply the latest research findings to real climate issues, and take action in our local area.

Sustainability on campus
Embedding sustainability practices across the University’s operations to become a leader in global environmental sustainability.

University Research Themes
Our research is divided into four broad themes: Agriculture, Food and Health; Environment; Heritage and Creativity; and Prosperity and Resilience. 

Education for Sustainable Development
A strong understanding of sustainable development is a key part of the student and staff experience.

More examples of our research impact
Our researchers work with the UN, governments, civil society and business, finding solutions that support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Centre for Dairy Research 
Addressing key issues for the sustainability of animal production systems.

Centre for the Mathematics of Planet Earth
Stimulating research at the intersection between maths, theoretical physics, data science, meteorology, and climate dynamics.

Crop Research Unit 
Investigating the interaction of crops with the environment and the impact of farming on biodiversity.

Institute for Food Nutrition and Health
Addressing how improvements in food production, processing and nutrition can help deliver better diets and health.

Soil Research Centre
Delivering the soil research needed to support secure and sustainable societies.

Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments (TSBE)
Bringing together academic and industry partners for applied research in built environment and energy.

Walker Institute 
Our interdisciplinary climate research institute supporting the preparation of people and organisations for a climate uncertain future.

Water@Reading
Providing flood, drought and water-quality monitoring, forecasting and early-warning systems, in the UK and abroad.

Follow us @UniRdg_Research for the latest research news

Unprecedented ocean heating shows risks of world 3°C warmer
Record-high ocean temperatures observed in 2023 could become the norm if the world moved into a climate that is 3.0°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, according to a new study.

Single-city COPs damaging carbon emissions pledges – study
Holding COP across multiple continents simultaneously should become the norm to dramatically lower carbon emissions from attendee travel, researchers have argued. 

Blue tit population booms with moths on the menu – study
The importance of moth caterpillars for common garden birds has been revealed in a new study.

Why animals shrink explained with new evolution theory
The mystery behind why Alaskan horses, cryptodiran turtles and island lizards shrunk over time may have been solved in a new study.

We have a wide range of sustainability and climate change expert spokespeople. 

Contact our Press Team for further information.

We are a key partner for organisations of all sizes, from multinational corporations to growing, innovative SMEs.

Work with us