Science Collaboration for Sustainability

Don't go it alone - collaborate to deliver global impact with your research! Delighted to share findings from our newly published pilot-scale study on CO₂ capture heat integration. It's exciting not only because of new approach to reducing the reboiler duty by 6% and cooling duty by 24%, resulting in operating cost savings of CO2 capture. It's exciting because it proves that collaboration is essential for credible, impactful research. Our team brought together multi-institutional expertise, industrial partners, and real-world site access on a coal-fired power plant. This work was possible because this collaboration enabled: - Access to infrastructure - Operating a mobile pilot on a live power plant requires partnerships beyond any single lab. - Data rigour - Validating marginal energy gains demanded cross-disciplinary expertise, including thermodynamics, advanced data reconciliation, and process engineering. - Industrial validation - Co-developing with site operators built credibility and practical insight from day one. - Diverse expertise - Chemistry + engineering + simulation + field operations. Individual researchers miss insights that teams can easily identify. The lesson: Impact = great ideas + rigorous execution + real-world validation. Collaboration is how you deliver all three. If you're pursuing energy research with genuine traction, treat collaboration as a core strategy, not optional. Build networks early. Your best work will come from teams you haven't yet assembled. #science #research #scientist #researcher #professor #phd #CCUS #engineering

Over the past 15 months, I have had the privilege of working with an exceptional group of professionals and researchers across the UK and the US on policy recommendations for sustainable health research. This work has culminated in the Academy of Medical Sciences and National Academy of Medicine report: For People, For Planet: Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Health Research Here are some reflections on why this matters, what we found, and what we can do going forward.   Why sustainable health research matters: Health research is vital, but it also has an environmental footprint – from energy use in laboratories, water consumption, plastic waste, travel, large-scale clinical trials, data storage and computational demands. As climate change becomes ever more pressing, we need research that is sustainable for both people and planet.   What we discovered 1. Data and metrics: We need standardised tools and methodologies to measure the environmental impact of health research, beyond carbon emissions alone. 2. Funding: Funders can accelerate sustainable practices by setting environmental requirements, offering incentives, and investing in capacity building. 3. Regulation: Regulatory frameworks must evolve to embed sustainability while supporting innovation and ensuring fairness for both large and small institutions. 4. Procurement and supply chain: Sustainable procurement policies and greater transparency from suppliers are critical to reducing research’s environmental footprint. 5. Infrastructure: Long-term investment in sustainable buildings, energy systems, and digital infrastructure is essential to reduce environmental impact. 6. Capacity building: Researchers and organisations need training, resources, and support across all career stages to embed sustainability into health research. What we can do next: 1. Adopt and refine shared metrics, tools and methodologies for all research activities – including digital and AI-driven methods – to ensure transparent, comparable reporting. 2. Embed sustainability requirements incrementally in funding, regulatory and publication processes, pairing them with accessible guidance and financial support. 3. Invest in people and infrastructure, prioritising training, accreditation schemes and green facilities that can be scaled up across diverse research settings. 4. Foster international collaboration and data sharing, recognising that climate change knows no borders and that solutions developed in one context can benefit many. If you are interested in this space, whether as a researcher, funder, policy maker, or practitioner you can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eqshC2an And summary here: https://lnkd.in/e6ayB92r

A new landmark assessment, commissioned by 147 countries and led by environmental experts, reveals a critical truth: biodiversity loss, #climatechange, food systems, water, and human health are deeply interconnected. This report offers a vital roadmap for policymakers, advocating for a holistic approach to these challenges. Historically, these issues have been treated in isolation, but this report demonstrates that tackling these challenges together, through integrated solutions, yields more effective and sustainable results. For example, a project in rural Senegal addressed parasitic disease and food insecurity by removing invasive aquatic plants from water sources and repurposing them as cattle feed. Similarly, planting native trees instead of commercial species can simultaneously support biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience. By embracing #science, collaboration, and big-picture thinking, we can chart a path toward a more balanced, sustainable future. These crises don’t operate in silos—and neither should our solutions.  Learn more about this recent report via The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/e7QGNb6m 

Thrilled to share my first publication of 2026!! In collaboration with Rebecca Morgenstern Brenner & Bashiru Koroma MPH, MBA, our article, Youth Empowerment for Urban Climate Resilience: Establishing a Climate Science and Collaboration Hub in Bo City, Sierra Leone, is published today in World MDPI. This paper examines how youth engagement can strengthen urban climate resilience in secondary cities. We describe a pathway for investing in adaptive capacity through a Youth Climate Science Hub in Bo City, and we draw on social ecological resilience and transformative education theories to show how youth-centered approaches can help bridge the gap between climate knowledge and action. If you work in climate resilience, urban planning, or youth engagement, please read, share, and pass it on to others who might be interested. Link to the article in the comments. MDPI World MDPI Transcultural Conflict and Violence Initiative at GSU #Research #Education #PublicHealth

Europe and New Zealand - a natural partnership for the global Bioeconomy The global bioeconomy is expanding rapidly, valued at over US$4 trillion and projected to exceed US$8 trillion by 2030. Spanning agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology, bioenergy, and advanced manufacturing, this growth presents a unique opportunity for strategic collaboration. Europe and New Zealand, with distinct yet complementary strengths, are well-positioned to lead together. 🫵 Europe’s strategic edge - policy-driven innovation Europe’s approach, guided by the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, emphasizes circularity through residues, waste, and renewable biological resources. It prioritizes competitiveness by scaling bio-based innovations to strengthen industry. Climate alignment supports the European Green Deal and net-zero goals, while industrial scale-up is accelerating the shift from pilot to full-scale bio-based production. These pillars drive policy-led demand for sustainable, high-performance products. 🫵 New Zealand’s integrated strength - science meets nature New Zealand offers a sector-agnostic bioeconomy linking forestry, agriculture, and aquaculture with biotechnology, synthetic biology, and advanced manufacturing. Increasingly, companies and research organisations are translating biodiversity and scientific expertise into high-value, globally trusted products, including marine bioactives, natural ingredients, and functional foods. 🫵 Shared vision, complementary strengths Europe and New Zealand are aligned in advancing circular systems and technologies like synthetic biology and biotechnology. New Zealand’s agile, export-focused manufacturing complements Europe’s industrial ambitions, while its sustainable primary sectors support Europe’s innovation goals. Europe’s regulatory frameworks pair well with New Zealand’s strengths in sustainability and traceability, creating synergy between policy pull and export ambition. 🫵 Integration in action - what collaboration could look like Collaboration could take the form of cross-sector value networks spanning farms, forests, biotech labs, and global markets. There’s potential for culturally grounded innovation, where biotechnology intersects with mātauranga Māori to create globally distinctive products. Shared scale-up pathways, especially in the TRL5–8 range, could de-risk innovation, while aligned standards in certification, life cycle assessment, and data frameworks would enable seamless market access. 🫵 The opportunity - innovation with global impact Together, Europe and New Zealand can deliver high-value food and bio-based products, sustainable materials and ingredients, and technologies that enhance global brands while protecting biodiversity. This partnership holds immense promise for shaping the future of the bioeconomy. #Bioeconomy #Biotechnology #Biomanufacturing #CircularEconomy #EUstrategy #NewZealand https://lnkd.in/gpqW2VCV

Behind this paper: a physician from Iran, a social scientist from Australia, a behavioral scientist from Norway, a history and philosophy enthusiast from the US, and a data scientist from the US. In research, we tend to emphasize what we write about, but the who and how matter just as much, if not more. This collaboration generated more constructive tension than any project I've been part of—continuous pushback, revision, and hard-won consensus. The result is richer for it. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed learning from each other. This paper argues that cultivating epistemic humility—the practice of acknowledging uncertainty and the limitations of human cognition—is essential for revitalizing science in an era of climate change, pandemics, and AI development. While human evolution optimized our minds for rapid, survival-oriented judgments, the scientific method succeeds by deliberately engaging slower, more analytical thinking that questions assumptions and welcomes revision. We propose practical strategies including diverse teams, careful AI integration, and metacognitive training to counter our "bias blind spot" and strengthen critical thinking in future scientists and physicians. Amid a growing crisis of public trust in science fueled by misinformation and polarization, scientists who openly acknowledge uncertainty are actually perceived as more trustworthy. By fostering a culture that values doubt, embraces complexity, and remains open to revision, science can renew itself and guide society toward discovery rather than dogma. https://lnkd.in/eWtGPdkg

Greener-by-design Fine Chemicals - I was in the US when I received the information that the Royal Society of Chemistry has published our new review article — “Towards greener-by-design fine chemicals. Part 1: synthetic frontiers”. This review was developed by 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘂𝗺, bringing together European scientific institutions and leading fine chemical companies GSK and Bayer. I am so grateful to Gianvito Vilé for inviting me to contribute — and to the 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘂𝗺 for the tremendous work behind this article. Collaborations like this are essential to move our industry forward. Why this is important: The transition towards greener-by-design fine chemicals is becoming 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 in global chemical and pharmaceutical supply chains. This collaborative review highlights: - 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 that are redefining what is technically possible - 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 that go beyond laboratory concepts - 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 for greener-by-design processes — robustness, scalability, and real-world feasibility - 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, showing how green chemistry is becoming a strategic pillar for sustainable production worldwide This work reinforces the core message: green chemistry creates impact when it works at industrial scale — and this review provides a shared foundation to accelerate that transformation across the industry. Thank you all, great job! #GreenChemistry #Pharma #FineChemicals #SustainableManufacturing

Last week, I had the opportunity to engage with a group of inspiring climate innovation start-ups and their support organizations as part of EIT Climate KIC Entrepreneurship’s program on AI-driven Climate Action. Our focus? Exploring how these start-ups can effectively collaborate with research institutions to scale their impact. One key question that sparked deep discussion: How much AI expertise should start-ups build in-house vs. source externally? To support this, we introduced a practical tool — the AI Butterfly for Climate Innovation — adapted from our earlier work on the AI Butterfly for Sustainability which you can find here: https://lnkd.in/e--NtKEw. This simple framework helps organizations assess and map their AI capabilities for climate innovation. A recurring theme was the rapid pace of AI innovation, which continues to outpace traditional academic cycles. Start-ups are eager to build their AI capacities, but for now, many will continue relying on partnerships — both with research institutions and large tech providers — to access cutting-edge tools and data. For universities, this is a clear signal: If they want to remain relevant in the AI and climate innovation space, they must rethink how they engage with the corporate world. Faster, more agile collaboration models will be essential. Let’s continue this conversation: I’d love to hear how others are navigating this intersection of AI, sustainability, and innovation. #AIforClimate #Sustainability #ClimateInnovation #ResearchCollaboration #Startups #ArtificialIntelligence René Bohnsack Centre for Sustainable Business King's Business School King's Climate & Sustainability

Transformative Ocean Science Solutions for Sustainable Development: Connecting People and Our Ocean   As a marine scientist working in the defense sector, I've had the unique opportunity to witness the profound connection between our oceans and the security, economy, and well-being of humanity. My journey began as a child, mesmerized by the echolocation of cetaceans and this passion took me to the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, where I studied Marine biology and physics. Through my academic and professional journey in the defense sector, I have gained a profound appreciation for the ecological, scientific, and strategic value of the oceans. I witnessed firsthand the crucial role of oceanic knowledge in national security, from safeguarding coastlines to understanding maritime threats, while recognizing the importance of protecting marine biology and chemistry. I believe a healthy ocean is essential for a healthy planet and am committed to advancing ocean science and sustainability through cross-sector collaboration. Today, I want to discuss an initiative that is a vital part of this mission. In January 2021, the United Nations launched the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the 'Ocean Decade.' This initiative fosters global collaboration and innovation, aiming to revolutionize ocean science by generating the data and knowledge needed for robust, science-informed policies and stronger science-policy interfaces at all levels. Ocean Decade Actions are tangible initiatives led by diverse groups, including research institutes, governments, UN entities, businesses, NGOs, educators, and community groups. Here are 10 common challenges these actions aim to address to foster a well-functioning, productive, resilient, sustainable, and inspiring ocean: 1.    Understand and Beat Marine Pollution 2.    Protect and Restore Ecosystems and Biodiversity 3.    Sustainably Feed the Global Population 4.    Develop a Sustainable and Equitable Ocean Economy 5.    Unlock Ocean-Based Solutions to Climate Change 6.    Increase Community Resilience to Ocean Hazards 7.    Expand the Global Ocean Observing System 8.    Create a Digital Representation of the Ocean 9.    Skills, Knowledge, and Technology for All 10. Change Humanity’s Relationship with the Ocean   This is yet another opportunity to harness collective global efforts towards a sustainable and equitable future for our oceans. By aligning diverse stakeholders around common goals, we can address the most pressing challenges facing our oceans and ensure their health and productivity for generations to come.   As we progress through this transformative decade, take on one or more of these challenges and work, research or simply inform yourself and others. Together, we can create the science we need for the ocean we want. #OceanDecade #DefenseIndustry #UnitedNations #UNESCO #MaritimeSecurity #MarineScience

Working at the intersection of technology and sustainability, I’ve seen how scientific progress can change the way we cultivate food, helping us face unpredictable weather, pest pressure, and the environmental cost of traditional farming. With biotech, we now have tools to design crops that are stronger, more efficient, and less dependent on chemical inputs. But it's not just about technology. It's about building a farming model that supports both nature and the economy. When we talk about boosting crop resilience, adapting to climate change, or reducing pesticide use, we’re also talking about protecting ecosystems, improving food security, and creating long-term value for farmers and agri-businesses. Collaboration is key. Biotech innovation doesn’t happen in silos—it requires partnerships between researchers, agricultural experts, and business leaders. This collaboration makes it possible to improve efficiency, optimize resource use, and bring to market plant varieties that are ready for tomorrow’s climate. And we mustn’t forget the regulatory side. Being prepared for evolving standards and meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable food is no longer optional—it’s part of staying competitive and relevant. The infographic I created highlights these dimensions clearly. It’s a visual reminder that sustainable farming is not just a vision—it's a direction already supported by science and business. We need to keep pushing forward, with ethics and intelligence. #Biotech #Sustainability #FutureOfFarming #AgriTech