SUSTAINABILITY
The University has been awarded £ 5.8 million through the UK Government ’ s Research England Expanding Excellence Fund . Coupled with significant investment by the University itself , hopes are high for finding a solution to one of the world ’ s greatest environmental challenges . The ongoing research is now supported by the new Centre for Enzyme Innovation , which , in partnerships with industry , will have the capacity to take on this global challenge .
The University of Portsmouth is now part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation ’ s global universities network , which supports its work with business and governments to design and build ‘ circular economies ’. A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution , keeping products and materials in use , and regenerating natural systems .
The University itself is already leading by example , showing what is possible through its own procurement , use and disposal of resources ( materials , water , energy and services ).
This will work hand in glove with the formation of community and industry partnerships to transform the City of Portsmouth into a global civic leader in sustainability transition , by integrating teaching with research to meet the Revolution Plastics challenge .
Some of this work will connect plastics research and sustainability with the city ’ s identity and enmesh plasticsrelated projects , groups , campaigns and organisations , including schools , with university teaching and research .
It is this research momentum that makes the city ’ s civic administration confident that significant changes will happen and that the city council has a central role and responsibility .
8 MILLION TONS
An estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the world ' s oceans each year .
SOURCE : UNEP
1 MILLION PEOPLE
Up to 1 million people die per year in developing countries from mismanaged plastic waste . SOURCE : TEARFUND
Councillor Dave Ashmore , Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change , says that addressing environmental concerns is a top priority and , like many other municipalities around the world , the City of Portsmouth has declared a climate emergency .
“ That said , we as a council must also look beyond the obvious problems that everyone knows and worries about . It is by working with the University of Portsmouth and its research teams that we actually believe we can turn the challenges we face into opportunities … investigate ways to move into renewable fuels , alternative materials , new industries and new jobs … green jobs .”
10 REVOLUTION PLASTICS / 2023