Research
Researchers at Imperial are already 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. We want to combine these strengths into a coherent vision built around this urgent global societal need.
Hear from our researchers
The Grantham Institute has put together a series of videos so you can hear what our Imperial experts are doing to provide academic evidence and support in the run up to United Nations Climate Summit, COP26, hosted in Glasgow in November 2021. You can find out more about the work going on at Imperial towards COP26, including the COP26 Universities Network coordinated by the Grantham Institute, on the Imperial College London at COP26 webpage.
Hear from our researchers

Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Imperial College Research Fellow
Dr Gbemi Oluleye discusses cutting emissions from industrial sectors
Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Imperial College Research Fellow, discusses her research on cutting greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sectors.

Dr Billy Wu, Senior Lecturer at Imperial
Dr Billy Wu discusses his research on electric cars and batteries
Dr Billy Wu, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London, discusses his research on electric cars and batteries, and how developments in this field can help to cut carbon emissions from transport.

Dr Ana Mijic, Senior Lecturer in Water Systems Analysis
Dr Ana Mijic discusses the water cycle, sustainable development and nature-based solutions
Dr Ana Mijic, Senior Lecturer in Water Systems Analysis and Co-Director of the Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation, discusses her research on the water cycle, sustainable development and nature-based solutions.

Dr Joeri Rogelj, Director of Research at Grantham Institute
Dr Joeri Rogelj discusses how his research helps to inform international climate targets
Dr Joeri Rogelj, Director of Research at the Grantham Institute, discusses how his research helps to inform international climate targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Dr Madeleine Morris, Research Associate at the Grantham Inst
Dr Madeleine Morris discusses her research on the policy and regulation of the energy system
Dr Madeleine Morris, Research Associate at the Grantham Institute, discusses her research on whether the policies, regulations and market structures of today's energy system are fit for purpose for a future energy system that fits into a net-zero world.

Naveed Chaudhry, Accelerator Lead at the Grantham Institute
Naveed Chaudhry discusses the role of entrepreneurs and startups in tackling climate change
Naveed Chaudhry, Accelerator Lead at the Grantham Institute, discusses the role of entrepreneurs and startups in tackling climate change, and how innovation can help create a cleaner, greener future.

Dr Mirabelle Muûls, Assistant Professor of Economics
Dr Mirabelle Muûls discusses her research on the economics of climate change
Dr Mirabelle Muûls, Assistant Professor of Economics at Imperial College Business School, discusses her research on the economics of climate change and the impact of climate change on businesses.

Dr Bonnie Waring, Senior Lecturer at the Grantham Institute
Dr Bonnie Waring discussed the carbon cycle and how forests can help tackle climate change
Dr Bonnie Waring, Senior Lecturer at the Grantham Institute, discusses her research on the carbon cycle and how far nature-based solutions like tree planting can be effective in helping to tackle climate change.

Dr Oytun Babacan, Imperial College Research Fellow
Dr Oytun Babacan on low-carbon technologies and how to integrate them into existing infrastructure
Dr Oytun Babacan, Imperial College Research Fellow at the Grantham Institute, discusses his research on low-carbon energy technologies and how to integrate emerging technologies into existing infrastructure.
Framework for research
The Transition to Zero Pollution initiative will facilitate 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
You can read about the work going on for some of these grand challenges by following the links below. We will be working with colleagues across Imperial to shape the direction of these research themes.