A centre that will promote environmental improvements and undertake research into reducing the impact of the built environment has been launched at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Called the Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) it will tackle the challenges of creating more sustainable places, communities and economies to enable society and its infrastructure to become sustainable.
Jonathon Porritt, founder of Forum for the Future, the UK’s leading sustainability development charity gave a keynote address at the launch where he outlined the benefits of the green economy as the principle driver to stimulating economic recovery in the United Kingdom.
Porritt said: “The LSI is in a very strong position as its focus is on the built environment, buildings in their setting and about the uses of that building. There is no point building wonderful buildings if people don’t manage them to optimise the benefits of more sustainable design. The Leeds Sustainability Institute has said that’s our patch, where we can add real value.”
According to LSI director, Professor Chris Gorse: “The Institute already has a wealth of knowledge and experience, but the economic, environmental and social challenges require a connected approach, embracing leading experts from a broad field of industry, academia and society. 
“Our aim is to develop research and enterprise that makes a positive difference. The Institute will provide a clear path to those that want to engage and a more responsive unit that can develop and connect expertise. Whilst our reach extends around the world, the economic and environmental challenge requires positive local and global impact, something that we aspire to.”
“The Leeds Sustainability Institute field trials and work with communities are having a direct impact on the policy and regulation that will pave the way to a low carbon built environment. Practices developed are being adopted across Europe and impacting on the way buildings are tested and monitored to ensure performance. Feedback from the University’s recent research has resulted in new standards, taking a step closer to the zero carbon and low impact solution.”
More information: http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/research/leeds-sustainability-institute.htm