MDX reveals sustainable work for global targets ahead of Earth Day

The theme for this year's Earth Day is 'invest in our planet'

Middlesex University has revealed its extensive and dedicated work to tackle global environmental and social issues ahead of the worldwide Earth Day tomorrow (April 22).

MDX's exciting projects are revealed in a new report which outline how it is contributing towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which emerged from the United Nations’ global initiative that the University signed two years ago.

This work includes:

• Ground breaking research by a team of MDX biomedical researchers looking at the impact of nano plastics in tampons
• Research co-led by MDX examined windfarm communities and the wind turbine industry in Germany, Denmark, South Africa and the UK
• This year, a total of 289 research outputs related to one or more SDG
• Middlesex partnered with Barnet Council to provide a programme of short training courses to support the growth and development of local micro-businesses
• Professor Nic Beech, MDX Vice-Chancellor, has been appointed as Chair of a new Universities UK drug use task force, which sets out to understand how universities can reduce harm resulting from student drug consumption working with various public agencies and authorities
• The Assuming Responsibility for Climate Change pro­ject for which Middlesex acted as a hub, brought together international organisations and universities from 12 countries to address the climate crisis
• The Expansive Learning nursing module inspires and equips students to ac­tively tackle inequalities in health care
• The Reverse Mentoring Scheme raises awareness of the experienc­es of underrepresented students
• Launch of the bike scheme on campus and the MDX Moves app to encourage active travel and rewards for exercise for all staff and students

Hundreds of solar panels on the roof of MDX buildings have been generating power for more than eight years, while the University’s living wall (in top picture) on the Ritterman building has been widely praised.

In the foreword to the report, Professor Sean Wellington, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor, said: “As the world tentatively recovers from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that climate change, deepening socio-economic inequality, and threatened earth systems present further unprecedented global challenges which require bold and united action to overcome.

“Middlesex University signed the SDG Accord to commit to sharing the mission of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations’ global initiative to ensure an equal, healthy and sustainable future for humanity and our planet.

“We are determined to do more to embed and advance the Goals at all levels of our institution. It is our responsibility to prepare students for a changing world in which their chosen sector will likely be impacted by the climate crisis, by collaborating, co-creating and inspiring the next generation to embed sustainability best practices into their work across sectors.

“It is with pride that we reflect on the achievements of the last year, and with a sense of responsibility that we will continue to work together towards a sustainable, equitable and healthy future.

“I remain fully committed to building on this progress and finding further opportunities for Middlesex University to contribute to the mission of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

This MDX Instagram story highlights how beehives have been placed on top of a University building and how students can win £1,000 to run a sustainability event on campus.