#PlanetPartners: Creatures great and small get help from Reading research

Animals ranging from huge elephants to tiny insects are being studied by 色狗导航 researchers seeking to identify threats and challenges they face, and how we can protect global biodiversity.

The University鈥檚 institutional and research efforts are underpinned by the UN鈥檚 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are aimed at tackling societal and environmental challenges across the planet and are closely aligned with the University鈥檚 own strategy.

This May, the 色狗导航 is running a new #PlanetPartners campaign, inviting its entire community to share examples of work towards all the SDGs.

SDG15: Life on Land comprises efforts to protect natural habitats like forests, and monitor and prevent changes to these areas and their biodiversity due to climate change or human action.

鈥淯nderstanding animal behaviour, biology, and how they interact with the world and humans is vital for helping us in the fight to conserve our natural wonders for future generations.鈥� - Dr Tara Pirie, 色狗导航

Examples of work by the University to address SDG15 include:

• Launching a new project investigating the use of , amid challenges caused by .
• Hosting research on a range of issues, such as how microplastics are affecting ecosystems, how life on Earth, how poachers have instigated a vulture crisis in Africa, and the in wildlife conservation.
• Playing a major part in , which highlights the decline of pollinating insects and the vital role they play in global food production.
• Sourcing the majority of the beef served in our campus canteens from .
• Running an on sustainable farming and food production.
• Producing the who go on to have successful plant-related careers.
• Publishing a on campus that aims to enhance biodiversity on campus.

Dr Tara Pirie, a zoologist at the 色狗导航 whose work involves improving protection for rare species worldwide, said: 鈥淯nderstanding animal behaviour, biology, and how they interact with the world and humans is vital for helping us in the fight to conserve our natural wonders for future generations.鈥�

The UN鈥檚 SDGs incorporate themes across the 鈥榝ive Ps鈥�: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnership. These align with the 色狗导航鈥檚 own strategic themes: Community, Excellence, Sustainability and Engagement.

This campaign follows the publication of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021, in which Reading participated for the first time and ranked in the top 200 globally, which scored participating universities on their support of the individual SDGs.

#PlanetPartners

The University鈥檚 latest campaign is a continuation of the #PlanetPartners campaign launched by the University in October 2019, which is highlighting ways the University is working with global partners on projects that benefit the environment.

Follow the campaign and share your examples of work  on Twitter: | Facebook: | Instagram: | LinkedIn: | TikTok: using the hashtags #PlanetPartners and #sdgoals