Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land
The University undertakes a range of research and educational programmes on 'Life on Land' whilst implementing policies and monitoring to ensure negative impacts are minimised, or eliminated.
Events about Sustainable Use of Labs
The university are 'Supporters' of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and run a number of biodiversity events to ensure the University collaborate with the local community to ensure they can play a role in conserving, and enhancing, habitats found within our campus. This includes tree planting, bulb planting, pollinator planting and biodiversity monitoring.
Sustainably Farmed Food on Campus
The Sustainable Food Policy ensures food served on-campus is sustainably farmed.
Maintain and Extend Existing Ecosystems and Their Biodiversity
Academics within Queen's University have directed their efforts in researching, monitoring and addressing, the continual algae blooms taking place in Lough Neagh. This includes the development of early-warning systems, policy development, behaviour change and biocontrol agents.
Offer Educational Programmes on Ecosystems
Queen's researchers have joined up with an international team of experts, Belfast City Council and a local community group to develop nature based solutions to tackle global challenges - as part of the UPSURGE project. An underused green space in the city's Lower Botanic Gardens was regenerated with a local community group to create a climate-resilient garden. This garden is used by the local community group, and Queen's staff, to engage with individuals, school kids and students to educate them on local species, nature conservation and food production.
Sustainable Management of Land for Agriculture
The Institute for Global Food Security has been engaging with our agricultural community to support and promote conservation, sustainable utilisation and management of the land. Staff involved in the EIT Food Grow Project have hosted a range of events focused at promoting 'nature friendly farming' practices, including enhancing soil health.
Sustainable Management of Land for Tourism
Queen’s researchers are excited to be a partner in “Future Island-Island' Project which aims to create a 'green economy' for Rathlin Island via community outreach on sustainable tourism and waste management.
Launched in 2023, the project will use co-design, applied design, knowledge exchange and worldbuilding using 3D immersive technology, to shape new design-led green economies on six challenge-based objectives. A key outcome will be protecting Northern Ireland’s only offshore inhabited island, Rathlin, from any negative impacts of tourism by sustainably managing island resources.
Sustainable Use, Conservation and Restoration of Land
The University has a Biodiversity Policy (2018+ and 2025+) that ensures the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with the University.
Monitoring IUCN and other Conservation Species
As part of the ongoing development of the campus, IUCN Red List Species are regularly monitored by relevant ecological surveys. To provide a more comprehensive image, our Biodiversity Policy (2018+ and 2025+) details how we plan to establish a ecological baseline, which will capture any endangered species found on campus and will ensure continual monitoring takes place.
Local Biodiversity included in Planning and Development
Biodiversity has been embedded into our planning and development process via the Net Zero Design Guide. This guide provides details on how Queen's can continue to ensure biodiversity is included in all new builds and refurbishments.
Alien Species Impact Reduction
Our Biodiversity Policy details how we manage, and if possible, eliminate invasive species found within Queen's campus.
Collaborate for Shared Land Ecosystems
Through the UPSURGE project (Horizon 2020, launched March 2024), Queen’s is partnering with the local municipality Belfast City Council and local community groups (e.g., Friends of the Field) to develop a living “demonstrator site” in the Lower Botanic Gardens. This site tests green infrastructure—community gardens, rainwater harvesting, wildflower meadows, solar energy—generating evidence for biodiversity, air quality, and climate resilience that will inform and influence the municipalities urban planning and council policy.
The Sustainability Team provide a range of opportunities for staff, students and the local community to come together to enhance biodiversity both on-campus and beyond. This includes tree planting, bulb planting, pollinator planting and biodiversity monitoring.
Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards
Our Water Standard Policy provides the university with water quality standards and guidelines to prevent damage to our local habitats and wildlife.
Policy on Plastic Waste Reduction
Our Plastic Reduction Action Plan details how we are reducing plastic waste found on campus.
Policy on Hazardous Waste Disposal
The University's Waste Policy sets out how we minimise, and manage, hazardous waste.