Transition to Zero Pollution

Building a sustainable zero-pollution future.

Transition to Zero Pollution is Imperial’s new initiative to build new partnerships between research, industry and government - from fundamental science and engineering, systems thinking, human health, new business models, and policymaking - to realise our vision of a sustainable zero pollution future.

With the Transition to Zero Pollution initiative, we want to go beyond thinking about zero carbon and consider pollution in all its forms. Researchers at Imperial are already tackling many different types of pollution. 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. The Transition to Zero Pollution initiative aims to combine these strengths into a coherent vision built around this urgent global societal need.

To address this challenge, we need a radical shift in industrial systems, technologies, and business models, underpinned by the development of innovative policies and governance structures. Scientists, engineers, clinicians, and economists must work together to create innovative technologies and policies that address not just a single problem but the entire system and life cycle. The Transition to Zero Pollution initiative will play an important role in our Learning and Teaching Strategy through its power to inspire current and future students. Find out more about our current and planned activities to engage students from across Imperial.

The Transition to Zero Pollution initiative will work with key stakeholders to make sure that our research is translated into effective policy and solutions for industry and benefits across society. Find out more about how we are engaging with industry and policy makers.

The Transition to Zero Pollution initiative will facilitate the development of the cross-disciplinary research, innovative technology solutions and policy interventions needed to realise our vision. We will build a transformational cross-disciplinary framework for zero pollution research built on four pillars of excellence, all linked by a focus on systems approaches:

• Zero pollution technologies: Using engineering and physical sciences research to develop new zero pollution technologies
• Environmental health: Better our understanding of air and water pollution, their impact on human health, and how to mitigate them
• Zero pollution economy: Developing innovative economic and business, policy and community engagement models for a sustainable society
• Sustainable water-food-energy: Ensuring that we use water and produce food and energy in a sustainable way
• Systems approach to zero pollution: By taking a holistic view of the issues of global pollution we will find solutions to address this major societal challenge

The Transition to Zero Pollution initiative is led by Professor Mary Ryan (Vice-Dean Research for the Faculty of Engineering and a Professor of Materials Science). Visit the Transition to Zero Pollution webpages to find out more.