Eco-Innovation

Delivering positive environmental impacts through new products, processes and services for the global marketplace.

We recognise that sustainable development depends on promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production as well as protecting and managing the natural resources vital for economic and social development. We focus therefore on eco-innovation, which is innovation that reduces the environmental impact of products, processes and services or improves the efficient and responsible use of resources.

Our eco-innovative research often involves working with academic colleagues from Engineering and other disciplines within Lancaster University. We also collaborate in this area with many commercial partners, ranging from major multinationals to small businesses.

This research covers areas including includes:

pollution control
water management,
food production
sustainable energy and many other sectors

Centre for Global Eco-Innovation

Our Eco-Innovation research challenge is intimately linked to the Lancaster Environment Centre-based Centre for Global Eco-Innovation (CGE).

Founded in 2012, CGE became one of six university level Research Centres in 2019, in recognition of its success in engaging businesses regionally (700+) and internationally (100+) in the development of sustainable solutions, and of the potential for CGE to work with a broader set of partners and disciplines. Led by Professor Jess Davies, it draws together key University departments (Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Management School, Computing) and several HEI partners, and is building a cross-sector, cross-disciplinary community of eco-innovators addressing key innovation challenges such as reaching net-zero carbon.

Find out more: Centre for Global Eco-Innovation.

Better Futures

Centre for Global Eco-Innovation is driving powerful connections across the world for a sustainable future.

Research Highlights

Dr Andy Pickard on stage at the Eco-I Awards

Groundbreaking R&D programme ends on high note with innovation awards

Eco innovations developed by North West businesses alongside leading universities to tackle climate change have been honoured at an awards ceremony.

Montage: in the centre Professor Kirk Semple smiles to the camera, between images of the inside and outside of Lancaster Environment Centre

New LEC Director – from soil microbiology to multidisciplinary collaborations that make a positive difference

Bringing people together across disciplines and continents and giving everyone a voice to support sustainable, resilient and equitable futures, is the ambition of the Lancaster Environment Centre’s new director.

Medals laid out with bright blue ribbons

Colleagues of the Year Awards 2022

Recognising the exceptional contribution colleagues made to the day-to-day life of Lancaster Environment Centre this academic year.

Businesses invited to Net Zero showcase event at Lancaster University

Businesses from across the North West are invited to a special event celebrating innovative research that is helping drive economic growth while moving us towards a low carbon future.

A montage of several images representing a wide range of environmental innovations

Centre for Global Eco-Innovation welcomes new Associate Directors

The Centre for Global Eco-Innovation (CGE) is pleased to announce the recruitment of 9 Associate Directors who will be championing, connecting, building and representing the CGE community both internally and externally.

Composite of two photos: a man tends food plants in a small raised bed of soil in the Amazon (left) and a car drives through a flooded UK road passing a "road closed due to flooding" sign and a bus stop

Ranked 2nd in the UK for the real-world impact of environmental research

The research carried out by the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) makes a real difference to people’s lives, according to the results of the UK Government’s research excellence framework (REF).

Aerial photo of trees in a parkland beside a river within a cityscape

Helping nature and people thrive in our cities

Five projects are launched to study the connections between the quality of urban green spaces and our health and wellbeing.

Lancaster takes a key role in £1M global prize for the environment

Lancaster University’s Centre for Global Eco-Innovation has been invited to return as an official ‘nominator’ for a prestigious prize led by Prince William and Sir David Attenborough.

Composite image: a mother cradling a newborn baby (left), a person at a fruit market (centre), and a row of cows standing in water (right)

Feeding research into policy & practice

Improving food production from Africa to Lancaster, reducing carbon, waste & pollution, enhancing mother’s birth experience: Lancaster’s environmental researchers show how their work is improving lives.

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