Our environment and the climate crisis
The climate emergency is one of the most urgent issues facing us all today. Through our research, enterprise and teaching, and the way we operate on our campuses, we are working to embed sustainability at the core of everything we do. Some of our academics’ climate, environment and sustainability research will be showcased at events during COP27.
Our climate-related news
The latest climate, environment and COP27 news from Loughborough University
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Doing laundry by hand sheds just as many microfibres as machine washing – new research
Loughborough collaborates with Perkins on demonstration of leading-edge hydrogen hybrid power solutions
Paving the way for reintroducing beavers into England – new report
Loughborough at COP27
The 27th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) takes place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, from 6 to 18 November 2022.
The summit will bring global parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Academics from the Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment, Resilience (STEER) at Loughborough University will be chairing or speaking at several events at COP27 to showcase their sustainable energy research that has the potential to benefit millions worldwide.
The Sustainable Development Goal 7 Pavilion
On 12 November, Professor Ed Brown, the co-director of STEER and MECS’ Research Director, will co-lead a session in the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) Pavilion, which will be the main hub at COP for discussing and showcasing how to unite global efforts on energy, climate and development.
The session – ‘The Twin Opportunity: Electricity Spurring a Clean e-Cooking Transition’ – will bring together utilities, high-level government representatives, development banks and philanthropic organisations to discuss how a pivot to cooking with electricity, known as e-Cooking, can leverage the investments made in infrastructure improvements to rapidly expand the levels of cooking with electricity. The session will also highlight how e-Cooking can be incorporated into emerging processes of integrated energy planning.
The SDG7 Pavilion is being hosted by Sustainable Energy for All – an international organisation that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions and beyond to drive faster action towards the achievement of SDG7. SDG7 calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030.
Climate Compatible Growth Programme: CO27 Side Events
The Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme will host a series of Side Events from 7th to 11th November under the theme ‘Africa-Asia: A Just Transition to Low Carbon Development’. Bringing together global experts and policy practitioners, the events will include sessions on decision-making tools, finance, transport and eCooking.
About STEER
STEER brings together two multi-million-pound international research initiatives – Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) and Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) – to support low carbon development and investment in green infrastructure in developing countries.
The MECS programme, funded by UK Aid, is transforming the sustainable cooking sector from biomass to cleaner modern energy cooking systems. The CCG programme, which is funded by the UK’s Foreign Development and Commonwealth Office (FCDO), supports investment in sustainable energy and transport systems to meet development priorities in the Global South.
Loughborough’s climate experts
Loughborough University is proud to be home to a large number of climate and environment experts.
Research spotlights
Our researchers are developing new technologies, influencing decision-making and effecting change to global policies that will support our move towards a Net Zero future.
Action on our campuses
The University is committed to acting in a socially responsible way that maximises its positive impact and minimises its negative effect on society.
Utilising the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), we are taking positive steps forward in embedding and actioning sustainability practices and policies across both our Loughborough and London campuses.
Read more about our campaigns, our progress and what you can do to help us achieve our goals.
Aiming for 78% reduction in the University’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 2010/11
Set a target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
Waste on campus was reduced by 500 tonnes during 2020/21 compared to pre-pandemic
70% of overall waste was recycled, compared to 29% in 2009/10
In 2020/21, only 7% of University waste went to landfill, compared to 71% in 2009/10
23% of waste was converted to energy in 2020/21 compared to 0% in 2009/10