Cambridge signs sustainable research agreement

Developed collaboratively by representatives from across the UK’s research and innovation sector, including universities, research institutes and funding organisations, the Concordat is a commitment and shared ambition to embed environmental sustainability in research practice, culture, and approach throughout the signed organisations, and collectively as a sector. 

"Not only is the Concordat a very welcome initiative to bring the sector together and address the environmental impacts of research and innovation activities, which otherwise detract from their net benefits," says Professor Judy Hirst, chair of the University's Sustainable Research Working Group, “it is also a clear signal from funders of their increasing expectations of both institutions and individuals to cut the environmental costs of the research they fund." 

By signing the Concordat (Nov 2024), the University commits to progressively embed environmental sustainability into its research and innovation practices through action in 6 priority areas: 

• Leadership and system change 
• Sustainable infrastructure 
• Sustainable procurement 
• Emissions from business and academic travel 
• Collaborations and partnerships 
• Environmental impact and reporting data 

While the University is taking action on a number of fronts to improve its operational environmental sustainability performance, the Concordat helps us to go further by embedding environmental commitments into the design and delivery of our research, focused towards the 6 priority areas. This in turn will strengthen the University’s ability to respond to the increasing expectations of research funding bodies in relation to environmental sustainability. 

"The University’s efforts to enhance the sustainability of research practices are a key part of a wider commitment to operational environmental sustainability. Many funders, policymakers, and institutions across the higher education sector recognise that more must be done, and the Concordat provides an important foundation for ensuring our approaches are aligned and enabling researchers to take meaningful action," says Dr Andrew Jackson, Director of Research Services. "To effectively reduce environmental harm, we must learn from each other, establish best practice, and create the right conditions to implement it within our research community." 

Last year, the University announced plans to strengthen its leadership on environmental sustainability, across both its academic and operational activities. You can read about Cambridge’s approach to academic environmental sustainability on our Climate and Nature page, and operational environmental sustainability on the Environmental Sustainability website. Further information will be shared as the University develops its plans to deliver on the commitments of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. 

Professor Sir John Aston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, says "Signing the Concordat marks the beginning of a deeper focus on the environmental impact of doing research at the University of Cambridge. University leaders, departments, institutes, laboratories and individual researchers will all have a part to play, and I’m excited to see where bringing together the best minds in the world will lead us in enhancing the sustainability of the University’s research operations. I would very much like to thank Professor Judy Hirst and the whole Sustainable Research Working Group for their leadership in this area."

Lab-based staff and students can currently get tailored support to improve their environmental performance using the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF).