Case Studies
Interdisciplinary collaborations, cross-sector partnerships and pioneering discoveries benefit the environment, the economy, health, wellbeing and culture on a local, national and international scale.
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NHS Initiative to Reduce Surgery Waiting Times is Effective But What Are The Environmental Consequences?
Elective Surgical Hubs (ESH) are an NHS initiative to drive down waiting list times and provide a high-throughput model for lower-complexity surgeries but the environmental impact is unknown and potentially more damaging than traditional care pathways.
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Spotlight: Insights from the first North West Green Computing workshop
In March 2024, Sustainable Futures took part in the first North West Green Computing workshop which aimed to bring together a diverse group of people across academia, business, industry, government and not-for-profit organisations to catalyse the growth of a green digital community whose ambition is to make their use of computing technologies as (environmentally) sustainable as possible. But what is Green Computing?
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Expanding the horizon of GIS in the environmental research landscape
On 8th February 2024, Sustainable Futures hosted Expanding the horizon of GIS in the environmental research landscape. This seminar brought together The University of Manchester researchers from different environmental backgrounds and disciplines to show how GIS has been applied in their research. The goal of this being to capitalise and expand upon the utility of GIS and its plethora of applications in the environmental research landscape.
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Enhancing high voltage overhead lines to increase transmission capacity
Manchester researchers are working to optimise components of high voltage overhead lines (OHLs) to increase the transmission capacity of our existing electricity infrastructure. This enables options for increasing power flow through existing lines and aids the production of new line designs, to increase flow while also reducing noise issues.
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Accelerating the decarbonisation of electricity networks through retrofill replacement of sulphur hexafluoride
Manchester experts have demonstrated a viable retrofill solution to replace Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6), a potent greenhouse gas, used to provide electrical insulation to power equipment, without having to replace or significantly modify existing equipment.
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Reducing the cost and risks of offshore wind farms
Manchester scientists are working in collaboration to revolutionise technology to improve the efficiency and lower costs of offshore wind farms.
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Realising the UK's geothermal energy potential
Manchester researchers are working to support the UK’s net zero targets by determining the potential of the Carboniferous Limestone for generating geothermal energy.
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Mapping carbon storage potential and security in saline aquifers
Manchester researchers have created a first-of-its-kind tool to map and rank potential carbon storage areas in the North Sea for their capacity and ability to store CO2.
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Improving the safety, security and reliability of the UK's nuclear industry
Research by Manchester's Nuclear Graphite Research Group has helped to ensure the safe continued operation of the UK's ageing advanced gas-cooled (AGR) nuclear reactors by up to ten years.
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Growing a sustainable, low-carbon UK bioenergy sector
Research conducted at Manchester provided the scientific foundations to grow a sustainable bioenergy sector and underpin the UK’s Bioenergy Strategy.
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Greenhouse Gas Removal
Manchester experts have created a model to calculate the full-chain transportation carbon costs of operating carbon capture and storage (BECCS) at any location in the UK.
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Setting the standard for cleaner skies
Whether for business, leisure or goods transport, we rely on air travel more than ever, but large aircraft leave a footprint on our environment. Research at Manchester has helped to set the standard for today’s aviation industry so that we can keep our skies cleaner.
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Climate action at a local level
In 2015, the Paris Agreement united nearly 200 countries in a global pact to tackle climate change. To enable the UK to deliver significant carbon emissions reductions, The University of Manchester created the Tyndall Local Carbon Budget Tool, helping local authorities and organisations to play their part in achieving these global aims.
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Creating a sustainable infrastructure
Cities will be home to three-quarters of humanity by 2100 but must transform rapidly to address a range of social, environmental and economic challenges. At The University of Manchester, research on Urban Living Labs (ULL) has transformed sustainable infrastructure provision locally, and enhanced capacity in East Africa, South America and the Philippines.
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Combatting energy injustices
Billions of people worldwide are unable to meet the basic energy needs we take for granted such as lighting, heating and cooling our homes. Research at The University of Manchester has revolutionised how policymakers see the issue and outlined plans for how to address energy and fuel poverty across Europe.
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Managing sustainability with policy
Sustainability policies to reduce climate change have traditionally focused on taxes and regulations. Research at The University of Manchester is changing the debate to focus on the dynamics and drivers of sustainability transitions in energy, food and mobility systems. This work delivers on the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
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Removing harmful pollutants
Industrial and municipal water usage places increasing demands on global water resources, while pollution of wastewater threatens aquatic ecosystems. Researchers at The University of Manchester and Arvia Technology have developed an electrochemical process that has dramatically reduced wastewater pollution levels and enabled water recycling across numerous industries.
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Creating fairer and greener energy
Sustainable fuel supply is a complex issue. Moving towards greener sources can mean huge outlays for suppliers, and can cause reliability and access issues for customers, even in developed countries. Researchers at The University of Manchester have been working with an energy supplier to help them move to renewable fuels while keeping costs down for families.
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Getting to the root of our poor soil
Soils that are rich in life are vital for our survival but a third of the planet’s soils have been degraded. The University of Manchester is tackling this global emergency by establishing novel approaches to repair soil systems, and helping them grow back greener. This research has explored the importance of healthy soils in sustainable land management, their role in responding to climate change, and their use as a form of natural capital.
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Sustainability through group farming
South Asia’s agriculture is in crisis. The majority of its farmers are facing serious production constraints, making them economically non-viable. Research at The University of Manchester has shown that group farming initiatives could provide a sustainable solution to these problems.
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Tackling groundwater arsenic in India
Water is a fundamental part of our daily lives: we drink it, cook with it, and use it to farm. But in many rural areas in northern India, groundwater is naturally contaminated by arsenic and is causing tens of thousands of premature deaths every year. Research at The University of Manchester is focusing on understanding and finding solutions to the problem to help keeping people healthy.
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UoM online Sustainable Development Goals exercise
Try placing each of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into three categories: profit, people or planet in our online SDGs exercise.
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One Bin to Rule Them All
Have you ever been frustrated by the complexities of household recycling? Unsure about what goes in which bin? This innovative project seeks to address these issues to improve household plastic recycling.
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Climate Futures Summit
The University of Melbourne and The University of Manchester support research collaboration and the development of globally-engaged researchers through our strategic partnership. The Climate Futures Summit brought the breadth of University of Melbourne research together with voices from policy, industry, Indigenous people, and youth that make up our rich community.
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Climate Questions
At Manchester, we’re delivering answers to the biggest climate questions facing our planet’s future.
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Manchester: Bringing clean water to the world
Today nearly one fifth of the world’s population – 1.2 billion people – live in areas plagued by water scarcity. However, a revolution in water filtration developed at The University of Manchester could provide a much-needed solution, with ready access to clean water finally a real possibility for the world.
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Keeping it fresh: Manchester children tackle clean air challenge
Partnering with a scientist is a key element of the Great Science Share Clean Air Challenge, a brilliant project organised by the Science and Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub (SEERIH) and the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science.
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Sounding the Siren
Read this graphic novella which UoM’s Dr Stephanie Sodero helped to write on how humanitarian aid needs to adapt to the climate crisis. Created with the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, Save the Children UK and UK-Med.
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The Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub
The University's Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub works with businesses looking to be more sustainable in their use of plastics.
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EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science
From drug delivery to the lungs to the transmission of disease, climate change to combustion science, new routes to materials to consumer and agricultural products, an understanding of aerosol science is crucial.
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Energy Innovation Agency
Transforming Greater Manchester’s energy systems making them cleaner, greener, and more sustainable, lowering carbon emissions and making energy more accessible to communities, businesses, organisations, and industry across the region.
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The Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure Cities and Energy
A world-class postdoctoral development programme that leverages the capability of 18 leading research-intensive UK universities.
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UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities
UKCRIC is an integrated research capability with an ambition to underpin the renewal, sustainment and improvement of infrastructure and cities in the UK and elsewhere.
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How do we secure global net zero?
Our researchers are working with governments, businesses and communities to drive urgent reductions in carbon emissions.
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How can we protect our communities and natural habitats?
Our experts are at the forefront of change, developing the solutions to help protect the communities and natural habitats most vulnerable to climate change.
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How can we turn ambition into reality?
Manchester research is pioneering, interdisciplinary and – crucially – collaborative. Through our cross-sector partnerships, we catalyse change.
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Decarbonising transport and industry
In collaboration with The University of Manchester, researchers at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change worked alongside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and a team of modellers at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency to devise ways to reduce carbon emissions in the transport and industry sectors.
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Thermocill
How can a heat-saving system cut both CO2 emission and family bills? Entrepreneur Keith Rimmer worked with The University of Manchester to create a device that could lead to a reduction of around 150kg CO2 emission for a 3-bed semi, and deliver an estimated energy saving of 8% — equivalent to £93 saving on annual fuel bills.
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Changing industry practices to achieve net zero
How can we change industry practices to achieve net zero? If the UK follows current climate policies, greenhouse gas emissions will fall short of the 2050 net zero target. Experts at The University of Manchester are demonstrating how strategies to reduce the demand for materials and products, without jeopardising people's quality of life, needs to form a key part of the climate solution.
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Concretene
How can we make concrete greener (and cheaper)? Global production of cement — the 'glue' that holds concrete together — accounts for 8% of the world's CO2 production. Adding tiny amounts of graphene to concrete dramatically increases its strength — meaning much less material is needed, and CO2 emissions are significantly cut.
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Zombie batteries
Exploding or zombie batteries can cause injury and disruption during the recycling of discarded electronics. Experts at The University of Manchester have used artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to develop a vision-based device to scan electrical junk and detect problem batteries - even in the most damaged equipment.
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Reducing waste at festivals
Every year millions of festivalgoers across the globe gather to enjoy live music. But once the party is over, they often leave a large ecological footprint behind. Seeking a greener way forward, researchers at The University of Manchester helped Glastonbury Festival reduce waste via education and behavioural change initiatives.
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Energy poverty
How can we highlight the growing issue of energy poverty in the private rented sector and offer solutions to help address it for those affected? The University of Manchester's development of the Energy Poverty Dashboard is bringing to light essential data that will help inform future energy policies across Europe.
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Social justice
How can we make climate adaptation more socially just? Decisions on how to adapt to the impact of extreme weather events caused by climate change, such as flooding and heat waves, often rely on understanding only physical factors. Research from The University of Manchester has highlighted how we can support socially-vulnerable and climate-disadvantaged communities.
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Nature restoration
How do we mobilise community action for nature restoration? Local communities play a key role in nature restoration efforts. Manchester experts are using their expertise to help build and maintain strong community and stakeholder engagement in restoring post-industrial landscapes.
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Restoring peatlands
The upland peatlands of the UK have been severely eroded because of industrial pollution, overgrazing, drainage and other human actions. Research from The University of Manchester is helping to understand how they can be restored to assist the fight against climate change, and how long it will take to see results.
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Flood risk
How can we protect UK rural communities at risk of flooding? As global temperatures rise, extreme rainfall and flash flooding are set to increase, putting more homes and livelihoods at risk. With rural communities near steep upland streams and rivers particularly vulnerable, research at The University of Manchester is demonstrating that landscape restoration offers a low-cost way to reduce flood risk.
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Water scarcity
How do we reduce household water demand in a water-scarce future? As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more extreme, water availability is becoming less reliable. Research from The University of Manchester is helping the UK government and water sector create new approaches for understanding current and future water demand – helping us adapt to a water-scarce future.
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National Graphene Institute to develop graphene water filtration with LifeSaver
The National Graphene Institute (NGI) at The University of Manchester has signed an 18-month research project with LifeSaver®, a UK-based manufacturer of portable and reusable water filtration systems.
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Colonies on Mars and sustainable construction with human blood proteins
Join Material Scientist Aled Roberts as he explores the use of constituents of the human body as valuable resources.
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Towards Inclusive Environmental Sustainability (TIES)
This three-year study, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, explores how the knowledge and practices of immigrants from the Global South contribute to building just and sustainable cities in the Global North.
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