Sustainable Earth Institute
Advancing research, knowledge and innovation for a more sustainable earth
Towards a sustainable Earth
The sustainability of life rests on the precarious balance between the interconnected health of our Earth, oceans and atmosphere. In turn, the stewardship of this complex system depends on the interconnected efforts of all those who rely on it.
The Sustainable Earth Institute (SEI) connects the university’s world leading research and expertise with the wider world.
We bring together researchers from natural and social sciences, engineering, arts, humanities, health and business, to take an interdisciplinary, systems-thinking approach to help tackle sustainability challenges.
Our research responds to the call of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to both global efforts, and the needs identified locally where our capabilities can make a difference.
We engage with all sectors – private, public and third – to work together on innovative solutions for a more sustainable Earth.
We need to protect our dynamic and unique world – after all, good planets are hard to find.
Research | Collaboration | Impact
Collaborate with us
By connecting academic expertise with the wider world, we support enterprise, business, industry and community to take collaborative action towards a more sustainable future.
Featured projects
Interdisciplinary Research Themes 2022
The SEI brings together researchers across the University to collaborate on key sustainability challenges.
Healthy Landscapes
Unprecedented pressure on the planet’s natural capital requires collaboration across disciplines to support land management and future policy.
Environmental intelligence and sensors
Using data acquisition, interpretation and visualisation to deliver the next generation of environmental monitoring and assessment.
Net-zero carbon
Net-zero carbon requires a holistic, systems-thinking approach, by bringing research and cross-discipline expertise together to accelerate progress.
The South West Natural Powerhouse
Natural assets like the wind, critical minerals and heat lie at the heart of the journey to net-zero and the Green Industrial Revolution policies – which include offshore wind, the shift to zero-emission vehicles, greener buildings, sequestrating carbon and protecting our natural environment. The South West Natural Powerhouse (SWNP) is a movement that aims to connect natural capital assets – our resources – with the South-West’s ambition for clean growth. The SWNP is an independent consortium formed from industry, academia and local government that works in collaboration to facilitate clean growth in the South West. The consortium fosters responsible stewardship of our natural resources, whilst promoting sustainable and accelerated development of the blue and green economies. Find out more about SWNP
Sustainability news
- University shortlisted for research and community impact at Green Gown Awards 14 July 2022
- Company makes significant progress with raspberry harvesting robots 1 June 2022
- Plymouth named among world’s top universities for marine excellence and climate action 27 April 2022
- First UK charging network for electric maritime vessels launched in Plymouth 27 April 2022
- International call for greater appreciation and understanding of the world’s sand resources 26 April 2022
Sustainability courses and programmes
Find out more about our courses and programmesPlymouth offers a range of sustainability themed courses and programmes, including architecture, entrepreneurship, consultancy, design, engineering and planning.
A whole institutional approach to sustainability
Find out more about sustainability at PlymouthUniversity of Plymouth has an established reputation both nationally and internationally as a leader in the higher education sector for sustainability.
Public mailing list
As a member of the public you can sign up to our mailing list to receive our monthly e-bulletin and updates about University of Plymouth and public sustainability events, workshops and news.
University of Plymouth staff and student mailing list
As a member of staff or a student at the University of Plymouth (or a partner college) you can mailing list to receive our monthly e-bulletin and updates about sustainability events, workshops, research funding calls and news.
Sign up to the University of Plymouth staff and student mailing list
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Contact us
If you’re an academic looking for a connection to industry, an organisation looking for academic research support or an individual who is inspired to work towards a sustainable future then contact us to find out how we can help
- Email: sei@plymouth.ac.uk
- Tweet: @PlymEarth
- Call: +44 1752 585599
- Visit: 1 Kirkby Place, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA.