Our commitment to environmental sustainability
The National Centre for Atmospheric Science is a world leading research centre, committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040. We are taking action on climate change, in step with the Natural Environment Research Council’s environmental policy.
We carry out research in air pollution, climate and high-impact weather, and long-term global changes in atmospheric composition and climate. We also provide the UK community with state-of-the-art technologies for observing and modelling the atmosphere. These include a research aircraft, advanced ground-based observational facilities, computer modelling and support, and facilities for storing and analysing data.
We offer independent advice to national and local government, businesses and wider society, informing global and national decisions. Our research, skills, and infrastructure bring benefits to the UK, even so, we recognise that we must address the impacts that our research activities have on the environment.
As a national organisation engaged in both the pursuit of new knowledge and solutions in climate science and also supporting, through expertise and infrastructure, the environmental science research of others, we join the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice with enthusiasm. We know all too well from our own research the urgency and priority of sustainability action.
The scientific infrastructure which we make accessible to researchers presents huge sustainability challenges. These infrastructures include the UK’s large atmospheric research aircraft and high performance computers. Through our knowledge and innovation we will continue to make strides in the direction of sustainable infrastructure and will use our experience and influence to assist others on the same journey.
Professor Stephen Mobbs, Executive Director, National Centre for Atmospheric Science
Our carbon footprint
We have been working to understand the impacts we create, and where we have opportunities to influence environmentally sustainable practices. In 2023 we have gained – for the first time – insights into our carbon footprint.
The current estimate for our baseline carbon footprint is 5,400 tonnes CO2e a year (where CO2e refers to carbon dioxide equivalents). There are some gaps in our understanding, but this estimated carbon baseline is directing our efforts to reduce our emissions – by improving energy efficiency and decreasing consumption of fossil fuels, across our operations and distributed network of science delivery partners.
Our net zero action
Net zero means achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere, so that there is no net increase in emissions.
We are dedicated to finding innovative ways to enable the atmospheric science we do,
with the objective of building net zero into our research delivery to meet the challenges of the future.
We will establish a robust approach to monitoring and minimising our environmental impacts across all areas of activity, and are setting up a transparent reporting process so we can communicate our progress.
We acknowledge that our research activities have wider environmental impacts – including but not limited to the production of waste and the use of water, single-use materials, and refrigerants. But these are not yet defined, and we plan to understand these impacts and how we can practicably as possible minimise them.
Our role in the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation
The National Centre for Atmospheric Science has joined a shared commitment to a greener future.
At the heart of the new Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice, which is a voluntary framework aimed at transforming the environmental impact of research and innovation in the UK, is a common ambition to deliver cutting-edge research while reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices.
This initiative unites research centres like NCAS, universities, institutes, funding bodies, and other organisations across the UK.
Our main priority areas are: leadership and system change, collaborations and partnerships, emissions from business and academic travel, and environmental impact and reporting data.