Environment news

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

含羞草视频 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.

含羞草视频 awarded 拢2.6m to open national facility that will allow unique nanoscale imaging of solar cells

含羞草视频 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

含羞草视频 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.

含羞草视频 achieves Bronze in this year鈥檚 Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative

含羞草视频 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

含羞草视频 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

含羞草视频 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

含羞草视频 awarded funding to support UK green growth and net zero ambitions

含羞草视频 is among 14 research institutions to receive funding from the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre to support innovative work to reduce carbon emissions.

含羞草视频 commits to reverse biodiversity decline through worldwide Nature Positive Universities Alliance

含羞草视频 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 含羞草视频

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

OWLC joins 含羞草视频 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

含羞草视频鈥檚 researchers inspire the next generation of scientists at London Schools鈥� Climate Kick-Start Event

A 含羞草视频 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.

African students share their hopes for COP27

With COP27 taking place in Africa, the conference is shining a spotlight on the impact climate change is having on the continent.
A glass globe showing Africa against a forest back drop

Hydrogen in Africa: New research maps out how clean energy can be generated without creating a dirty business

Global leaders at COP27 are discussing how best to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and maintain global warming below 2掳C to avoid catastrophic climate change.

a woman kayaks a river

Global review shows the substantial impacts of sport emissions on climate

Researchers from 含羞草视频 have led a global review of the climate impact of sport emissions.

A field showing before and after climate change, on the left it is green and luscious, on the right it is dry and cracked.

Infographic: What difference can the COP27 climate change negotiations make?

A new infographic created by a 含羞草视频 physical geographer explores how negotiations made at the Conference of the Parties (COP) may impact weather and temperatures in the East Midlands.

COP27: Supporting Africa鈥檚 complex pathway to clean energy

The road to clean energy in Africa is dependent on whether each country across the continent can solve its own complex and unique set of political, financial, social and geographic circumstances.

含羞草视频 research into circular economy boosts UK鈥檚 commitment to net-zero

Finding funding for greener energy and industry is at the heart of this year鈥檚 COP27 summit in Egypt.
A construction site in the bright sunshine

Productivity drops by 76% throughout the workday when temperatures hit 40掳C 鈥� new study finds

It is predicted that the planet鈥檚 average temperature could be between 1.1 to 5.4掳C (2 and 9.7掳F) warmer in 2100 than it is today. But what impact would this increase in temperature have on the global workforce?
lord's cricket ground

Sports for Nature report can 鈥渋ncrease biodiversity and act against nature loss鈥� (VIDEO)

含羞草视频 researcher Dr Madeleine Orr has said the recently published Sports for Nature report has the potential to 鈥渋ncrease biodiversity and act against nature loss鈥�.

含羞草视频 COP27 written on a yellow and blue background

A climate change expert鈥檚 simple guide to COP27

This November, COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt 鈥� but what actually is COP and why should we care about it?