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One Planet

We are working towards a better and fairer world, addressing challenges and creating a more sustainable future, protecting our planet for the benefit of all.

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Enough for everyone, forever

As populations increase and industry multiplies, our planet is facing some of the biggest challenges it has ever known.   

The devastating impact of climate change is wreaking havoc on natural habitats and global ecosystems, endangering both plant and animal life. Beyond this, it is also creating a world in which we, as a society, need to be able to anticipate future change. We need to prepare for, and respond to hazardous events and disturbances on a vast scale.  

Whilst land and water pollution increase and air quality decreases, the exponential growth of energy requirements puts natural resources under extreme pressure. It’s more important than ever to develop sustainable energy systems for the future.  

We are supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – seeking peace and prosperity for all people and the planet now and in the future. 

We’re working to ensure that there is enough, for everyone, forever. 

Opening up the universe for all

Meet Emma, a sixth form student who’s incredibly passionate about science and outer space.  

With the support of Katherine, her QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment), and through the work of our researchers, led by Dr Chris Harrison and supported by partners at Portsmouth University, Emma has been able to experience the universe through sound. 

The Audio Universe project explores new methods to represent data. It focuses on making the experience of learning about space, and making new scientific discoveries, accessible to all. Watch the film to discover the story.

We’re working together to create sustainable futures through discovery, education and innovation.

Professor Stephanie Glendinning

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering

Meeting the sustainability challenge

We are committed to embedding social and environmental justice throughout our activity. 

Our high performance in global rankings highlights our dedication to sustainable development. We rank in the top 100 in the world for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024. We are joint 30th in the world and 10th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are embedded into every aspect of our University. They shape our estate operations and our approaches to teaching, research and innovation.  

Our sustainability team leads on embedding sustainability throughout campus activity

Our Global Challenges Academy advances research and partnerships to address the UNSDGs. 

In 2019, we committed to tackling climate change by joining others worldwide in declaring a climate emergency. 

Driving change in policy, industry and communities

We impact policies, industries, communities and regions to discover and encourage sustainable practices. Our pioneering work includes: 

  • driving the transition to low-carbon energy and transport in the UK and internationally 
  • developing new social and technical approaches to water security and sustainable development 
  • developing biotechnologies to create a new generation of living buildings 
  • safeguarding river deltas futures, through more resilient communities and sustainable development 
  • investigating the impact of plastics in our oceans and working to preserve and protect our coral reefs 
  • protecting species and their habitats in Asia, Africa, South America and Australasia 
  • influencing and exploring the legal dimensions of environmental regulation 
  • building resilience and limiting the impacts of climate and environmental change 
  • growing UK manufacturing in electrification and Power Electronics, Machines and Drives  
From Newcastle. For One Planet

There are many achievements we’re particularly proud of as we work to address challenges to create a more sustainable future. Some examples include: 

Education for life

The One Planet agenda plays a part in several undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including: 

Our Executive Education programmes include a learning and reflection framework for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). 

Our Global Challenges Academy runs a programme where students can intern and contribute to the Uuniversity's initiatives supporting the UNSDGs. Hear from a previous intern about their experience

View our collection of innovative UNSDGs teaching case studies 

Newcastle University in Singapore 

Newcastle University in Singapore shapes the future of science and engineering through powerful connections and innovative research. 

Graduates are globally aware problem-solvers, ready to define the future of industry and government. Postgraduate research  students are immersed in a hub for research, collaboration and innovation as part of Newcastle Research and Innovation Institute (NewRIIS). 

Learn more about Newcastle University in Singapore  

Discover how our Singapore campus is tackling climate change with AI 

Research infrastructure

Our research infrastructure includes institutes, groups, centres and facilities that enable interdisciplinary collaboration for the benefit of our planet.

Research Hubs 

We lead two of 12 UKRI GCRF Global Interdisciplinary Research Hubs. 

We are the only university to lead more than one research hub. Our hubs work with more than 100 partners globally, spanning countries including India, Malaysia, and Brazil. 

We also host the world’s first Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment. It brings together architects, designers and engineers from Newcastle University with bio-scientists from Northumbria University.  

Research centres and institutes 

A number of our Centres for Research Excellence form the foundations of our work in One Planet: 

Our research centres and institutes working in One Planet also include: 

Doctoral Training Centres 

Our Doctoral Training Centres are developing future research leaders to make change possible. Centres and researchers tackling some of societies biggest sustainability challenges include: 

ONE Planet: a cohort-based, doctoral training partnership across Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. This is to design sustainable transdisciplinary responses needed to address intensifying global change. 

Geospatial Systems: developing the world’s next generation of engineers, scientists and practitioners. They're trained in geospatial data, analytics, modelling and visualisation. 

IAPETUS2: a multidisciplinary training partnership tackling challenges facing earth and the environment. 

Sustainable Electrical Propulsion: developing a new generation of UK power electronics specialists to meet societal and industry demand. 

We are also partners in the following centres:

Facilities 

Our facilities contribute to cutting-edge research in both industrial and academic settings.  

Meet some of our researchers and innovators
Who we work with

We work and partner with a range of organisations including: 

  • Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service 
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature 
  • British Antarctic Survey 
  • British Geological Survey 
  • UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology 
  • UK Research and Innovation: 
    • The Natural and Environmental Research Council 
    • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 
  • Fera Science (formerly the UK Government’s Food and Environment Research Agency) 
  • Procter & Gamble 
  • Our GCRF Hubs work with almost 100 partners around the world including: 
    • IIT Delhi 
    • Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 
    • National University Singapore 
    • United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security 
  • Women in Sustainability Network 
  • Northumbrian Water 
  • Northern Gas Networks 
  • National Energy Action 
  • Siemens