Sustainable Futures

Sustainability is at the heart of the Sustainable Futures research platform, producing sustainable solutions to urgent environmental challenges.

It does so by bringing together the unique depth and breadth of international research at The University of Manchester, building on the university’s record of success in interdisciplinary work.

The key objectives for Sustainable Futures can be summarised as:

• Integrating an unprecedented range of environmental expertise from across The University of Manchester to facilitate highly interdisciplinary research and impact.
• Connecting a wider range of research institutes at the University to extend the scope of environmental expertise and the impact of Sustainable Futures.
• Rapidly delivering solutions into practice through unique established capabilities at the University.

From a research stance, Sustainable Futures is tackling key global sustainability challenges, such as climate change, population growth, rapid urbanisation, overconsumption, food and water security, loss of biodiversity, and pollution. Case studies of this research include changing industry practices to achieve net zero emissions, spotlighting energy poverty in the private rented sector, and various nature restoration projects.

Sustainability challenges closer to home are also at the forefront of Sustainable Futures’ research, working in partnership with organisations across Greater Manchester and the north-west to improve the quality of the environment and people’s lives. This research can help support those socially vulnerable and climate-disadvantaged, as well as what we can learn from international communities to help develop just and sustainable cities locally.

These research objectives and projects are producing innovative outputs that can be passed down to the wider community, equipping people with the knowledge and experience to positively contribute to the betterment of the world. By engaging with staff, students, and alumni – as well as wider organisations – Sustainable Futures can embed a culture of environmental sustainability into the University which will be carried into the future by over 50,000 people each year. To do so, the platform is presenting a range of teaching programmes and initiatives, such as the Ethical Grand Challenges programme. Programmes like this are an excellent way to ensure the people of today are the sustainable standard-bearers of tomorrow.