The signing reflects the University’s commitment to ensuring that environmental sustainability considerations are at the heart of key decisions, operations and investments. By signing this concordat, the university further promotes its dedication to promoting environmentally responsible research practices.  

This agreement aligns with Queen’s and UKRI’s shared objectives to integrate sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into research, innovation, and leadership. It builds on our existing programmes and policies, such as our sustainable lab certification programme, to embed sustainability into our research practices. 

The University continues to collaborate with civic partners to exchange best practices and identify collective solutions for the region in working towards net zero, as part of our commitment to social and civic responsibility, making a positive impact locally and globally and supporting economic growth in an environmentally sustainable way. Publicly committing to this concordat is an important milestone on our journey towards achieving net zero. 

Queen’s recognises and is already working towards objectives in the six priority areas detailed in the concordat: 

• Decision-making and engagement 
• Carbon 
• Procurement 
• Efficient use of resources 
• Fostering a healthy living environment 
• Interactions with the physical environment 

Professor Archie Clements, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Queen’s said:  

“We are proud to sign the UKRI concordat and pledge to further enhance the sustainability of our research.   Our researchers work across disciplines and sectors to address local and global challenges, incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and driving real-world impact in climate change. 

“Through this concordat we will continue to build upon our strong foundation of existing interventions and initiatives to support responsible and sustainable research practices” 

For further information on Queen's commitment to sustainability in research, visit Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research in Innovation.

Media

Media inquiries to Lia McKenzie at Lia.Mckenzie@qub.ac.uk