- the University’s facilities are inspiring innovations in offshore renewable energy and maritime cyber security
- Government funding is supporting the University’s world-leading research into microplastics, work which is having a direct impact on international policy on microbeads in cosmetics, plastic bags and sustainable fashion
- the University is contributing to current and future Government initiatives, including the UK’s Industrial Strategy, Maritime 2050, and the 25-year Environmental Plan.
The Rt Hon David Lidington CBE MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, visited the University on Friday 1 March 2019 to see first-hand how we are carrying out world-leading research across the marine and maritime sectors, including how:
Our microplastics research is recognised as one of UK’s 100 best university breakthroughs
More plastic has been produced in the last seven years than in all of the last century. Through greater awareness of the problem, the wider world is waking up to this global challenge and the importance of taking action.
Professor Richard Thompson, OBE
Sustainable Seas – University contributes to parliament report
On Thursday 17 January 2019, the Environmental Audit Committee published the results of its Sustainable Seas inquiry. It concluded that there were a number of key areas where the Government needed to take action to safeguard our oceans, including ocean acidification, plastic and chemical pollution, marine conservation and sustainable fisheries. Academics from University submitted written evidence to the inquiry and gave evidence to MPs as part of their deliberations, another example of the University’s world-leading marine expertise being used to influence government policy.
Find out more about our work related to the Sustainable Seas report
Marine news from the University of Plymouth
- Community beach clean-ups could beat high-tech solutions for clearing plastic pollution 23 April 2024
- International experts issue renewed call for Global Plastics Treaty to be grounded in robust science 18 April 2024
- Seychelles beach cleans demonstrate potential for citizen science to tackle marine litter 17 April 2024
- Retention ponds can deliver a substantial reduction in tyre particle pollution 12 April 2024
- Initiative increases awareness of the threats posed by light pollution to the global ocean 10 April 2024
- University features on BBC’s Great Coastal Railway Journeys 10 April 2024