News & Media

Marking the Second Year of our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability in Research

As we approach World Environment Day on 5 June, this year’s focus on urgent action on climate change feels particularly timely. The record-breaking heatwave seen across the UK in May 2026 has brought the reality of climate impacts into sharp relief, underlining the importance of acting now.

Against this backdrop, we’re proud to mark two years as a Supporter of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research & Innovation Practice. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far, and to look ahead at how we continue to embed sustainability across the clinical trials landscape.

By signing the Concordat, we committed to action across three priority areas: leadership and system change, emissions from academic travel, and collaborations and partnerships.  We also agreed to provide annual updates of our progress.  You can find out more below.

Leadership and system change

We recognise that high-quality, impactful research must also be sustainable.

The Network’s Strategy for 2025 – 2030, which was published in June 2026, included a strong commitment to encouraging, supporting, and disseminating sustainable research practices both internally and across our members CTUs.

Since then, we have been working to embed these ambitions into our practice.  This includes the creation of a Sustainability Group which is looking at both environmental sustainability and the broader sustainability of Clinical Trials Units.

Sustainability has also been a recurring theme at several of our national meetings. This includes the CTU Directors’ Meeting in May 2026, which brought together senior leaders from across the Network alongside wider stakeholders to explore key developments in clinical research, including the UKRI’s SPARKHub platform and a dedicated roundtable of CTU leaders on environmental sustainability in clinical trials

Reducing emissions from academic travel

We have continued to build on earlier changes to reduce travel-related emissions. Face-to-face meetings are now fewer and more purposeful, with digital materials provided as standard. Where possible, meetings are combined to minimise journeys, and we have transitioned to lower carbon alternatives for catering.

Our online programme continues to expand, with webinars, roundtables, and specialist clinics providing accessible opportunities to connect and share knowledge. Over the past 12 months, this has included 10 roundtables, 9 clinics, 9 webinars, and 6 user group meetings, bringing together over 1,700 participants without the need for additional travel (up from 1,200 the year before).

This approach is not only reducing environmental impact but also improving accessibility and inclusion across the Network.

Collaborations and partnerships

Working collaboratively remains central to how we drive sustainable change. By sharing knowledge and approaches, Registered CTUs can improve existing processes while also exploring new, more efficient ways of working.

In addition to our sustainability group, other Network groups are exploring how digital tools (including AI) can be used more effectively, as well as how remote alternatives can be built into routine practice.

We also continue to contribute to wider initiatives, including the development, piloting, and dissemination of a carbon footprinting tool for clinical trials with the TMRP Greener Trials Group.

Additional guidance on undertaking greener trial monitoring, with real-world examples drawn from across the Registered CTU Network, has recently been approved and will be shared in the next few weeks

Together, these efforts help reduce duplication, save resources, and support more sustainable research delivery.

Looking ahead

As we enter our third year as a Concordat Supporter, our focus remains on building momentum; working together to make meaningful, lasting improvements in how clinical research is designed and delivered.

Together we can make a difference.

Find out more

~ To learn more about the aims and ambitions of the Concordat click here.
~ To download the Network’s official letter of support from 2024 please click here.
~ You can find out more about World Environment Day, and this year’s focus on urgent climate action, here.