A PASSION FOR THE planet .
Our researchers , staff and students are taking steps to help protect the planet .
* All facts and figures correct at the time of publication † The world ’ s leading sustainability validation and certification system †† Veganuary and PETA rankings 2021
At Portsmouth we have a huge number of active initiatives and programmes that fight climate change in the here and now , with a view to not just becoming net zero , but also climate positive , in the near future .
Revolution Plastics — for a more sustainable world
If we do not take radical action , the consequences of plastic pollution on our health and the environment will be catastrophic . To achieve a sustainable world , we have got to build a globe-spanning plastics economy based on circular principles .
Our Revolution Plastics initiative unites scientists , business leaders , campaigners and citizens to make change happen through research , innovation and global partnerships .
We are working to :
Transform the potential of plastic recycling Reduce waste through innovative packaging Develop new , sustainable materials Further the world ’ s understanding of microplastics Examine the effects of exposure to plastics on human health
FIND OUT MORE AT WWW . PORT . AC . UK / REVOLUTIONPLASTICS
Restoring millions of oysters to the Solent
The native oyster is almost extinct in many areas around Europe – including in the Solent , the strait along Portsmouth ’ s seafront . We are helping to bring them back from the brink .
We have collaborated with Blue Marine Foundation ( BLUE ) to open the country ’ s first oyster restoration hatchery in the Solent . It will provide a million native oysters a year .
Thanks to the native oyster ’ s astonishing capacity for keeping seawater clean by consuming algae , and the new habitats formed by reefs made of old oyster shells , this restoration project could transform the Solent ’ s water quality and increase its marine biodiversity .
An app to tackle sources of plastic pollution
The University has partnered with Portsmouth-based environmental technology company Jetsam Tech , which was co-founded by University of Portsmouth alumnus Louis Capitanchik , whose app allows anyone to help map plastic pollution in Portsmouth .
Local people can use the app to submit photos of plastic waste they see in daily life . These photos will form a ‘ plastic heatmap ’, revealing when and where waste is building up .
Our researchers use the data as an evidence base for solutions that will reduce the amount of plastic entering the sea and the wider local environment .
A university that is climate positive
We are working hard to achieve our vision of becoming a climate positive university by 2030 .
That means we will go beyond net zero and save more emissions than we generate . It is one of the most ambitious environmental targets of any UK university . We encourage students and staff to live , think and work with sustainability in mind . You can play your part by using less energy and water , reducing your waste and picking sustainable travel options .
Here is some of the progress we have made :
Our electricity is from 100 per cent renewable sources We have halved our carbon emissions from energy since 2009 We have increased our recycling rate from 40 per cent to 70 per cent since 2011 Colour coded bins and specialist recycling points make it easy to dispose of your waste sustainably on campus Students get involved in eco-friendly activities including organised beach cleans and a volunteering scheme to promote recycling We aim for all our new buildings to achieve ‘ Outstanding ’ ratings for sustainable design from BREEAM † and ‘ A ’ ratings for energy use and carbon emissions We are eliminating single-use plastic from products sold in campus cafés We are a Top 10 Vegan Friendly University in the UK , †† 40 per cent of food on our menus is plant-based and customers are rewarded for choosing meat-free meals Printed communications use paper and cardboard from sustainable and recycled resources , vegetable-based inks and laminates made from sustainable wood pulp ; they are all fully recyclable
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