Sustainable environment

We're living in a time of environmental crisis, where climate change is creating unprecedented challenges and globalisation and consumerism grow. Our researchers are dedicated to understanding how we interact with people and planet, to develop new thinking on how we can better protect our home.

Tackling hunger and food insecurity in the UK

We all have a right to food, yet household food insecurity persists in the UK. How can organisations, politicians and the public work together to find a solution?

From daily actions to big changes: responding to climate change in the context of rapid urbanisation

The population of the world is expected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050. Most of this population growth will happen in small and medium-sized cities. Due to this rapid urbanisation, the majority of emissions in the next century will be emitted by infrastructures that are yet to be built.

A tractor pulls a trailer across a field of dry grass spreading rock dust in a long cloud

Applying rock dust to croplands could absorb up to 2 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere, research shows

Adding crushed rock dust to farmland could draw down up to two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air per year and help meet key global climate targets, according to a major new study led by the University of Sheffield.

The fight against deforestation in Europe

Dr George Iordăchescu's work explores the impact of EU regulations on timber trade and securitisation in Eastern Europe and aims to understand how a redefinition of illegal logging and timber trade as a security threat has triggered a massive citizen involvement in surveilling and reporting of environmental crimes.

Indonesian rainforest cleared for oil palm plantation

80 per cent of Indonesian rainforest vulnerable to palm oil destruction is not protected, research shows

More than 80 per cent of the Indonesian rainforest, mangroves and peatlands most vulnerable to being cleared for palm oil production is completely unprotected by the country’s Forest Moratorium, according to new research.

Students gather around concept art in the Department of Landscape Architecture.

Does architecture play a role in the climate emergency?

Empowering students to become global citizens and inspire new ways of building.

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Energy Institute

The Energy Institute at the University of Sheffield is finding low-carbon solutions to the world’s biggest energy challenges and our researchers are involved in finding sustainable solutions.

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Picture of a box of allotment produce on the ground with green plants in the background

Institute for Sustainable Food

University experts, including researchers from the Faculty of Social Sciences, are finding dynamic solutions to the global challenges of food security and sustainability. Our innovative research provides a social angle to the issues around food sustainability.

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