Sustainability research
Researching sustainability and being sustainable in our research
Our mission is to be a global leader in research for environmental sustainability and sustainable development, generating interdisciplinary understanding and solutions to key local, regional and global sustainability challenges, whilst promoting more sustainable research practices.
World-class sustainability research
Our sustainability research spans from the local to the global level, addressing key environmental challenges that cut across sectors and disciplines. By collaborating across departments and with external partners, researchers at York are helping to shape a more sustainable future for us all.
Sustainability Plan: our research objectives
A sustainability entity
Establish a new sustainability entity that acts as a flagship for globally-recognised research and teaching on environmental sustainability.
A Code of Practice
Develop and implement a Code of Practice for Sustainable Research with clear performance indicators, showing reduced environmental impact to support the University’s carbon and sustainability goals.
Building skills to maximise impact
Develop transformational competencies to maximise opportunities for our research on environmental sustainability to make an impact for the public good.
Increase research capacity
Enhance research capacity across the University's research portfolio to establish and reinforce global leadership in key areas of environmental sustainability.
Positioning York as a global leader
Develop innovative ways of research practice and funding to establish York as an internationally renowned 'go-to' resource for research of relevance for policy and practice on environmental sustainability.
Our research centres
Discover our world-class sustainability research centres, exploring everything from air quality and renewable technologies to building resilient ecosystems.
York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI)
York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) was set up by the University of York to facilitate and deliver interdisciplinary research in environmental sustainability across a range of issue areas, including food, water and waste, resilient-socio-ecological systems and environment and health.
Stockholm Environment Institute at York (SEI-Y)
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an international non-profit organisation addressing environmental and development challenges. As the largest sustainability team at the University, SEI-Y bridges science and policy to create solutions for a sustainable future.
Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity
World-leading interdisciplinary research into the complexities of biodiversity change in the Anthropocene.
Green Chemistry Centre for Excellence
An international flagship for the promotion of sustainable chemistry.
International Global Development Centre
Promoting interdisciplinary research and partnerships to address pressing global development challenges.
BioYork
Translating and transforming cutting-edge research into technologies, processes and products across the bioeconomy.
Centre for Novel Agricultural Products
Using world-leading bioscience to provide sustainable supplies of food, energy and chemicals.
Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories
Enabling experimental and theoretical studies relating to the science of local and global air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change.
Research focus
Our sustainability and environmental research spans the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences. These are just a couple of our major research projects happening now:
BioYorkshire
We’re working with partners on a clean, green future that will create jobs and boost inward investment.
York Living Labs
York Living Labs brings together our University community to work on sustainability problems on campus, and use the campus as a test-bed for researching and implementing sustainability solutions which have wider impact.
Support and opportunities for researchers
Looking for guidance, support or opportunities in environmental sustainability research? Find experts, explore our facilities, join a network or access funding opportunities to support your research.
Find an expert
The YESI Community Directory is designed to showcase the breadth of research in the environmental sustainability area and help put you in touch with the right person.
Join a research network
Explore YESI’s networks, bringing together expertise across departments to foster collaboration, develop interdisciplinary research, and bid for funding opportunities.
Inner Development Goals (IDGs)
Find out more about our partnership with the IDGs and join a hub aligned with your areas of interest to connect with others tackling similar sustainability challenges.
For all researchers: Conducting your research sustainably
The University is dedicated to sustainability not only in what it undertakes its research on, but how it undertakes its research. That is why we have developed a Code of Practice for Sustainable Research (PDF 
, 207kb), offering guidance and support to help you conduct research sustainably. This Code and its corresponding guidance is designed to assist all researchers, regardless of their area of expertise or field.
