Our research

Researchers at Imperial are tackling pollution in many different forms. From reducing plastic pollution to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, from understanding human behaviour to sustainable business, there is a wealth of research happening across College.

Focus themes

The Transition to Zero Pollution initiative has five focus themes, each representing a grand challenge where discovery, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration is required: Emerging environmental hazards and health; Resilient, regenerative and restorative systems; Sustainable resources and zero waste; Urban ecosystems: people and planet; and Zero pollution mobility.

For each focus theme a small group of theme champions from across the College will lead the development of the programmes.

Three cross-cutting themes run through each of the focus themes: education; flexible design; and societal, economic, policy, and innovation challenges. And three cross-cutting principles guide the work in each theme: a just transition; maximising planetary and human health; and systems thinking to avoid unintended consequences.

Find out more through the links to the theme pages below.

Transition to Zero Pollution focus themes

Transition to Zero Pollution focus themes

Research focus themes

A view of a factory tower against a cloudy sky

Emerging environmental hazards and health

Advancing new ways of tackling pollution across air, soil and water; taking a systems perspective of how these threats interact and the link with human health
An aerial view of a forest

Resilient, regenerative and restorative systems

Developing and understanding routes to deliver nature positive systems, going beyond zero pollution to actively benefit the environment
A landfill site

Sustainable resources and zero waste

We need to manage our material, food, energy and water resources better and address the economic, environmental and health costs of wasted resources
White City Innovation District Aerial Shot by Jason Hawkes

Urban ecosystems: people and planet

We will explore issues and opportunities around increasing urbanisation and its effects on people and ecosystems
Shot of a London Cycle Superhighway sign

Zero pollution mobility

All aspects related to the movement of people, goods and services and contributing to improved infrastructures, for the promotion of the health and wellbeing of the planet and its inhabitants
A student pointing at the earth as visualised on a data screen

Cross-cutting themes

As well as the main themes, we have three key ‘principles’ and three cross-cutting areas to ensure we continue to embed the systems thinking approach we have developed, which has been a primary motivator for TZP activities