Environment news

a marathon runner running through mountains

Researchers discover evolutionary evidence in ultra marathon runners

The brains of ultra marathon runners taking part in gruelling long-distance races may hold clues about our evolutionary past, a new study has found.

World first: Researchers create CO2 measurement tool to calculate emissions caused by digital data

A unique carbon footprint tool has been created to allow businesses to measure the CO2 output of their digital data.

海角网 hosts UK鈥檚 first World Bank Energy Storage Partnership Stakeholder Forum

Sustainable energy experts from across the globe have arrived at 海角网 for the World Bank Energy Storage Partnership (ESP) Stakeholder Forum 鈥� the first time the event has ever been held in the UK.

UK鈥檚 AI 鈥榯win鈥� will use big data to show the way to net zero

A new research project will develop a digital 鈥榯win鈥� of the UK that harnesses artificial intelligence and big data to meet its net zero target.

海角网 ranked first in UK and 15th globally for advancing affordable and clean energy

The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings have placed 海角网 first in the UK and 15th globally for advancing Affordable and Clean Energy 鈥� the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.
A collage of various small medical devices

Creating a safe circular economy for small medical devices

A collaboration between 海角网 and the University of Leeds 鈥� is developing a circular economy (CE) approach to reducing the staggering amount of small medical device (SMD) waste generated each year.

Price growth for homes in high flood risk zones up to 50% lower than those in unexposed areas

Properties exposed to flooding experience up to 50% slower price growth compared to unexposed properties.

Photo of trees with a blue sky in the background

Fruit Routes announces new coordinator and Spring Walk

Fruit Routes has announced Leicestershire based artist, Mita Solanky as its new Artist Coordinator.

拢9m sustainable SportPark expansion on Science and Enterprise Park achieves Passivhaus accreditation

A major expansion to house the highest concentration of sports organisations on 海角网 Science and Enterprise Park has achieved Passivhaus Classic accreditation, widely regarded as the most challenging energy efficiency and comfort standards in the world.

UK waters are too polluted to swim in 鈥� but European countries offer answers

Almost all of the UK鈥檚 waterways are polluted. In 2022, a House of Commons Committee report on the state of UK rivers concluded that no river in England was free from chemical contamination. Only 14% of UK rivers had a 鈥済ood鈥� ecological status.

Ice sheets can collapse faster than previously thought possible

Ice sheets can retreat up to 600 metres a day during periods of climate warming, 20 times faster than the highest rate of retreat previously measured, according to a new paper.
Photo of flowers in Burleigh Wood

海角网 named one of the UK's most wildlife-friendly universities

The University has been recognised as one of the UK鈥檚 leading higher education institutions for looking after wildlife on campus and in the wider community.

Climate risk assessment and resilience strategies are critical for the future of universities

Higher Education Institutions should develop strategies to evaluate and adapt to potential climate risks such as flooding, droughts, and heatwaves, according to a new report.
Image shows diffusion of an element at a solar cell interface. It was captured using a scanning electron microscope with cathodoluminescence capabilities.

海角网 awarded 拢2.6m to open national facility that will allow unique nanoscale imaging of solar cells

海角网 has been awarded 拢2.6m to open a new national facility that will increase our understanding of how solar cells and other electronic devices that interact with light work.

Photo of representatives from each of the signatories to the Pact sitting and standing around a table and smiling at the camera

海角网 signs up to new regional pact to help tackle climate change

The University is one of the leading organisations to partner with Leicestershire County Council on a commitment to tackle climate change and nature decline through an ambitious set of principles.

海角网 achieves Bronze in this year鈥檚 Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative

海角网 is taking part in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative, a nationwide project set up by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. This year (2022-23), we earned the Bronze award, currently aiming towards the Silver accreditation in the near future.
a lizard

Who reigns supreme in the sporting animal kingdom?

For thousands of years, humans have pushed their physical abilities to the limits in the name of sporting success.

An illustration of an EV vehicle charing from a house.

Study to explore if electric vehicles can power homes and help meet the UK鈥檚 energy demands while plugged in

海角网 is part of a new collaborative project exploring if electric vehicles (EV) could be used to power drivers鈥� homes and help meet UK energy demands while on charge.
Man picking litter on the beach

Exploring how beach litter has changed over the past 50 years using drones and phone apps

海角网 researchers will assess how coastal litter from the ocean has changed over the past half-century in a unique project that brings together local heritage, drones, and mobile phone apps.

Photograph of Jonathan Wagner in the lab

海角网 awarded funding to support UK green growth and net zero ambitions

海角网 is among 14 research institutions to receive funding from the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre to support innovative work to reduce carbon emissions.

海角网 commits to reverse biodiversity decline through worldwide Nature Positive Universities Alliance

海角网 is proud to be a founding member of the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, launched today (Thursday 8 December) at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15).

Recycling technology leader Plastic Energy celebrates opening of new research and development labs at 海角网

Plastic Energy, a global leader in chemical recycling technology, has announced the opening of its new research and development labs at 海角网.
Photograph of OWLC colleagues (from left) Jonathan Proctor, Matt Bleasdale, Giles Clayton-Jones and Nathan Snowden-Merrills

OWLC joins 海角网 Science and Enterprise Park鈥檚 Energy and Low Carbon cluster

The University is delighted to welcome OWLC (Offshore Wind Logistics and Construction) to the Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP). The company, founded in London in 2014, relocated its headquarters to the Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC) earlier this month.
doha's skyline

World Cup 2022: Qatar is accused of 鈥榮portswashing鈥� but do the fans really care?

Fifa鈥檚 choice of Qatar as host of the 2022 men鈥檚 football World Cup has been controversial since day one. Questions continue to be raised about the nation鈥檚 attitude to human rights, and its treatment of migrant workers.

A group of school children talking to one of the PhD researchers at the SlowCat exhibition stand

海角网鈥檚 researchers inspire the next generation of scientists at London Schools鈥� Climate Kick-Start Event

A 海角网 team of scientists and engineers who are designing and preparing catalysts for a greener future took part in a London-wide schools programme to empower young people to help tackle climate change.