The British Academy joins wider research and innovation organisations in setting environmental sustainability standards for researchers

The British Academy has announced that it has today signed up to the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.

This concordat has been co-developed by more than 25 organisations across the UK’s research and innovation sector and represents a shared ambition for the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research, but in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

The concordat aims to ensure research and innovation continues to play a crucial role in understanding the impacts of climate change – the existential challenge of our time – while helping us to act sustainably to protect and promote our environment. Signatories will align with the research on climate change and ecology and commit to transparently sharing information and learnings about the environmental impacts of their work.

This complements wider British Academy work around Just Transitions and Sustainability for People and the Planet – such as the 'Just Transitions within Sectors and Industries' and ‘Where We Live Next’ programmes and our ‘Net Zero Governance’ work.

Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the British Academy, commented:

“We are delighted to support this sector-led initiative which aims to progressively embed environmental sustainability into research and innovation practices. Research in the humanities and social sciences generates vital evidence and insight to help tackle the challenge of environmental sustainability. As a funder of research in the UK and internationally, we will continue to harness this knowledge and work with our community to ensure the research we fund is carried out in an environmentally responsible way.”

As a signatory of this concordat, we have agreed to act against six priority areas which are:

• Leadership and system change
• Sustainable infrastructure
• Sustainable procurement
• Emissions from business and academic travel
• Collaborations and partnerships
• Environmental impact and reporting data

Wellcome is hosting the concordat on its website and will provide information on how to join, alongside a regularly maintained list of signatories and supporters.