Sustainability and environmental matters are a core element of our teaching, research and consultancy activities. Much of our expertise and teaching relates to the management of natural resources and property and, as such, sustainability underpins much of what we do.

Sustainability in Our Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching

Our courses, at undergraduate and postgraduate level cover a wide range of areas where developing a good understanding of sustainability is an important element of the course. Sustainability is, therefore, integrated into many of the modules that students take as part of their courses. For example, students may look at environmentally sustainable crop production as part of their agriculture degree; or may consider sustainability issues within the planning system for their dissertation on a property course. In addition, some of our degrees offer sustainability pathways for students who wish to make this a more specific focus of their studies.

Short Courses, Training & Conferences on Sustainability

The College regularly organises events, training and short courses covering a range of sustainability topics and issues. These range from conferences and seminars for farmers and members of the general public, through to professional training, and bespoke courses for individual clients.

South West Rural Update is the College’s rural professional network service. It offers professionals, farmers and communities in the south west of England seminars and other events, providing insights and information into current topics that are relevant to rural development, many of which have a sustainability focus. Events bring together leading research, the experience of professionals in the field, practical examples from businesses and current initiatives. Previous conferences and seminars have looked at areas including renewable energy, water management, agro-forestry and low carbon farming.

Many of the College’s short courses and professional training events also cover sustainability. For example, we offer courses looking at environmental issues, legislation and management for farms and businesses, as well as organic farming and energy.

For more information on our latest events and courses, please click here.

Research & Consultancy Activities - Sustainability

The College carries out an active programme of research and consultancy, often with a sustainability focus. As well as engaging in academic research, we have a proven record of working with government, institutional and private sector clients on contract research and consultancy projects which utilise the knowledge and skills of our academic staff.

Our expertise covers a wide range of subject areas relating to agriculture and agribusiness, food chains, equine, property and the rural economy. Sustainability is an underpinning factor in many of the projects we engage in across all of these areas. We also have specific expertise in a range of sectors which are closely aligned to sustainability, including renewable energy, sustainable farming, climate change impacts for land management, farmland biodiversity, rural development, farm diversification, sustainable property management planning, socio-economic analyses in the equine and rural property sectors and sustainable food chains.

For more information on our research and consultancy, please click here.