Sustainability

The interconnected spheres of environmental, economic, and social sustainability are essential for conserving our planet and its resources. Researching these areas enables us to create pathways to an inclusive and fairer society at the global, national, local, and individual levels.

From economics and accounting to SME engagement, our enduring work has practical applications in tackling the challenges of achieving net-zero, reducing carbon footprints and delivering sustainable business. By supporting and developing adaptable environmental, economic and social pathways, we help to achieve the goal of a more sustainable planet.

Our researchers worked with the government in Brazil to introduce a new Amazon deforestation reduction initiative; educated and worked alongside African organisations on clean water enterprises; produce systems to reduce waste across business supply chains; and develop and embed sustainable accounting practices.

The Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business

The Pentland Centre delivers world-class research and works with global corporations, national organisations and regional SMEs to make a practical impact on social and environmental sustainability. 

Discover some of the Pentland Centre’s work to tackle key issues for the future of the planet, from sustainable oceans to the circular economy.

Pentland Centre

Plastic Packaging in People’s Lives (PPiPL)

The PPiPL project focused on how plastic food packaging is embedded in consumers’ day-to-day lives. It involved researchers and industry leaders across the supply chain, from production and sales through consumption to waste disposal and recycling.

The Plastic Packaging in People's Lives Project

The Plastic Packaging in People’s Lives (PPiPL) project focuses on how plastic food packaging is embedded in consumers’ day-to-day lives.

Plastic Packaging in People's Lives

PPiPL's research

Find out how PPiPL’s work with packaging manufacturers and retailers can help improve consumer behaviour towards plastics.

Plastic Packaging in People's Lives

Ocean stewardship

For companies to become ocean stewards, there are many issues to be resolved. The SeaBOS initiative focuses on addressing: illegal fishing, forced labour in supply chains, antibiotic use in seafood production, plastic pollution in the oceans and the response to climate change. Researchers can create more impact when working in close partnership with industry to tackle these issues.

Professor Jan Bebbington reveals how her work as part of the SeaBOS project is bringing together 10 of the largest seafood-producing corporations in the world with academics that range from ecologists to accountants, to champion ocean sustainability.

Sustainability Benchmarking

Sustainability benchmarks – rankings based on companies’ performances relating to certain criteria – are becoming increasingly important and can shape corporate behaviour.

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