About Sustainability

Pioneering research

Research and radical innovation are fundamental to addressing the challenges of living sustainably. Our world-leading research focuses on finding solutions to major global challenges, through significant international collaborations and connections with industry.

We are launching a new Global Research Institute to focus on the Net Zero challenge, connecting researchers across all our campuses and from multiple disciplines. Founded on our leading expertise in energy, engineering, and construction, we're building a new future through decarbonisation, energy transition and radical innovation. Read more about our global Net Zero research.

Some research is 'blue sky' or fundamental and some is applied, and research impact is the difference it makes in the real-world. Watch how our research is making an impact to all of our lives.

Energy transition

We have the technology, but energy transition needs multi-disciplinary, multi-system integration, to engineer solutions. In Orkney, the emerging Islands Centre for Net Zero and the ReFLEX project are leading the way.

A just transition

Net Zero cannot be achieved in isolation and must go hand-in-hand with societal change, to ensure a just transition for everyone. Our award-winning research around disadvantage and inequality drives policy for a sustainable future.

Industrial decarbonisation

We have a lead role in IDRIC, the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre, the focus of the green transformation of the UK's industrial heartlands, finding solutions where they matter most.

Circular construction

From sensing and robotics, to the decarbonisation of the cement industry in the UAE, to the revolutionary, recycled K-Briq - we are working with partners and industry to reduce emissions and build a sustainable future.

Sustaining our seas

The sustainability of our seas is fundamental to our wellbeing. Our marine sciences and fisheries research, from the Orkney campus to the Lyell Centre, focus on the management of ocean resources and environmental risk.

Sustainable communities

Sustainability is not one-size-fits-all. Developing countries and resource-poor communities need innovation to enable energy conservation and greater self-sufficiency. A ground-breaking project shows how effective technology can be.

Sustainable road freight

Provision of everyday commodities and transportation of goods accounts for a significant proportion of global CO₂ emissions. The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight is helping industry and government minimise carbon emissions from the road freight sector.

Research itself can be energy and resource intensive. We are working to reduce the environmental impact of our research by improving the sustainability of our laboratories. Heriot-Watt have joined the LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) programme to promote and support actions to reduce carbon emissions and resource usage. We will be rolling out recommendations and access to resources provided as part of the programme, starting with a pilot project within the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences.