Code of Practice for Sustainable Research
Posted on 27 March 2025
The University has launched a new Code of Practice for Sustainable Research, designed to help researchers integrate sustainability into their work and align with our goal of achieving carbon net-zero by 2030. The Code reinforces the University’s commitment to the UKRI’s Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice, which reflects a shared ambition for the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
The Code provides a framework and practical guidance for researchers across different disciplines—whether desk-based, lab-based, or field-based—covering key areas such as energy use, waste reduction, travel, and sustainable procurement.
It also highlights useful tools and resources, including:
- Pre-award environmental risk assessments to support sustainable project planning.
- The TR2AIL tool to quantify and reflect on travel-related emissions.
- Annual sustainability discussions to encourage best practices within departments during the annual review process.
- The Sustainability Conversations podcast series, offering insights on integrating sustainable practices into research.
The dedicated web pages highlight the framework and offer clear guidance and support tools to help embed sustainability into research practices. We also welcome feedback and ideas for additional resources that could further support this initiative.