Our commitment to embedding environmental sustainability within our research and innovation practice

Launched in April 2024, the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice represents the shared ambition across the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research, but in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

By becoming a signatory, we are joining over 60 other institutions, along with other research organisations and funders such as Wellcome Trust, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The letter from our Vice Chancellor confirms our commitment to the Concordat, and can be found on our Sustainability web page.

As a signatory to the Concordat, we have committed to taking action to deliver change in the following six areas:

1. Leadership and system change: embed environmental sustainability into organisational strategies.
2. Sustainable infrastructure: prioritise the maximum use of existing infrastructure before purchasing new.
3. Sustainable procurement: procurement decisions must prioritise the mitigation or avoidance of environmental impact.
4. Emissions from business and academic travel: demonstrate the application of and regular reporting on the sustainable travel hierarchy.
5. Collaboration and partnerships: advocate for embedding environmentally sustainable practices in research and innovation activities they co-produce or collaboratively undertake.
6. Environmental impact and reporting data: publicly report headline data on environmental impact and performance annually.

These actions will reduce the environmental impacts and emissions associated with carrying out research and innovation, supporting our aim of achieving net zero carbon as set out in our sustainability strategy.

The priorities set out within the Concordat align with our own LBU sustainability strategy, the aims of which are to reduce our overall environmental impact, embed sustainability principles via our research and practice, and inspire a community of environmental leaders and advocates. The work of our Leeds Sustainability Institute on sustainable built environment has already made progress towards this aim and we hope the Concordat will further our impact and achievements on environmental sustainability.

Find out more

Find out more about the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.

The commitment shown by signing this concordat complements the work already being undertaken by our colleagues and ties into the LBU becoming signatures in December 2024 to the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Action pledge.

LBU’s response to the global climate crisis is part of the University’s wider approach to sustainability highlighted in our strategy which aims to drive forward social and environmental equity. If you want to know more about our work on sustainability, please visit our Sustainability web pages.