The University of Cambridge is building on its existing research and launching an ambitious new climate change initiative. Cambridge Zero is not just about developing greener technologies. It will harness the full power of the University’s research and policy expertise, developing solutions that work for our lives, our society and our economy.
Cambridge Forum for Sustainability and the Environment aims to stimulate cross-disciplinary conversations about some of some of the planet’s most pressing global sustainability challenges, and to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to research which will help to prepare for and address those challenges.
Energy@Cambridge brings together the activities of over 250 academics working in energy-related research areas across different Schools, Departments and Institutions.
The University’s Research page provides searchable information about research occurring in various fields, including energy, biodiversity, public health, and international development.
The Living Laboratory for Sustainability integrates environmental sustainability research into the policy and procedures of the University of Cambridge. This programme works with students and staff from across the University to improve the environmental sustainability of the operational Cambridge estate.
If you are interested in education for sustainable development (ESD), download and read 'Education for sustainable development: Guidance for UK higher education providers' (published June 2014).
View the Undergraduate Study website for details of courses. You may be particularly interested in the departments of Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Land Economy, and Zoology, and the opportunities offered by the Natural Science Tripos or by Human, Social, and Political Science.
The Cambridge Zero Carbon Society offers a collection of courses, modules, contacts and suggestions for increasing the sustainability components of your degree (Cambridge students only).
View the Graduate Admissions website for details of courses (the course list is under Step 2).
Full-time graduate programmes
You may be interested in the following specific examples of courses:
- MPhil in Conservation Leadership (Department of Geography)
- MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development (Department of Engineering)
- Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment (part-time MSc) (Departments of Architecture and Engineering)
- MSt in Sustainability Leadership (part-time MSt) (Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business (Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership)
- The Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research
- Cambridge Centre for Climate Science
- Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
- Cambridge University Strategic Initiative in Global Food Security
- Centre for Industrial Sustainability
- Centre for Sustainable Development
- Department of Land Economy
- Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment Research Programme
- Energy Efficient Cities Initiative
- Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies
- The Circular Economy Centre (CEC) within the Judge Business School
- The Nature, Cultures, Knowledges Research Group within the Department of Geography
- The Centre for Circular Economy Approaches to Eliminate Plastic Waste, a UKRI funded programme.
The Cambridge Conservation Initiative is a partnership organisation seeking to transform the global understanding and conservation of biodiversity and the natural capital it represents.
Another team has compiled resources for Environmental History and Education for Sustainable Development.
The Carbon Brainprint concept, developed by Cranfield University and HEFCE (the Higher Education Funding Council for England), aims to quantify the impact of universities on carbon footprint reduction. Cambridge has been involved in this project.
For practical advice, guidance and resources to help you reduce the carbon footprint of your lab work, see the University's Green Labs initiative.