At ARU we work directly with local authorities, environmental organisations, regulators, policymakers, businesses and community groups to address some of the most pressing challenges facing freshwater and marine environments.
These challenges range from plastic pollution and water security to climate resilience and habitat restoration.
This work helps us to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity, including in ecosystems under threat. For example, our campuses are located within one of the UK's most water-stressed regions and alongside some of the world's rarest freshwater habitats. From influencing international action on plastic pollution and marine litter to supporting the protection of Greater Cambridge's globally important chalk streams and strengthening resilience in water-scarce regions around the world, ARU's partnerships help translate research into practical solutions to advance SDG 14.
Leading the way on global action on plastic pollution
ARU's internationally recognised, pioneering research on plastic pollution has helped shape environmental policy, influence business practice and raise awareness of one of the greatest threats facing marine and freshwater ecosystems. Research led by Professor Dannielle Green and Dr Bas Boots was the first to demonstrate how microplastics affect entire ecological communities and ecosystem functioning, rather than individual species alone. The findings have had significant impact globally, within Europe and in the UK. They have informed UK and international policy discussions, contributed to the United Nations Environment Programme's global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution, supported negotiations towards the Global Plastics Treaty involving more than 170 countries, and helped organisations such as DP World London reduce their plastic footprint.
Research on the combined risks of droughts and floods in transboundary watersheds
Water security is one of the defining environmental challenges of the 21st century. Through the Connect4 Water Resilience project, which ran from 2018 to 2022, ARU researchers collaborated with a number of academic organisations as well as civil society partners in four southern African countries to examine the connections between water resources, governance and community resilience across the Limpopo Basin. The project investigated how communities respond to environmental change, water scarcity and climate pressures while maintaining secure access to water resources. By improving understanding of the links between social systems and aquatic environments, the research helps inform strategies to protect freshwater ecosystems while strengthening resilience among vulnerable populations. The project fed into a number of policy initiatives, including the newly-formed Groundwater Committee of the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) and provided input into Red Cross Drought forecast-based financing and early action Guidance Notes.
Building awareness of water systems resilience in the UK, India and Brazil
Research led by Dr Maryam Astaraie-Imami has addressed the growing risks to urban water systems posed by flooding, urbanisation and climate change. Using engineering and systems approaches, the team has been able have been able to develop evaluation, assessment and interactive tools that can be used by relevant end users. They have also engaged with wider practitioner communities in the UK, Brazil and India. The research has created an evidence base to support the business case for improved resilience of interdependent critical infrastructure to climate change, and delivery of continuing professional development training for resilience-informed interventions for water systems management.
Protecting Greater Cambridge's Chalk Streams through Civic Partnership
We're working with Cambridge City Council, local authorities, environmental organisations and community stakeholders to help safeguard Greater Cambridge's internationally significant chalk streams. Through the Greater Cambridge Chalk Stream Project, partners are developing a coordinated approach to protecting rivers such as Hobson's Brook and Cherry Hinton Brook, which face growing pressures from water abstraction, pollution, urban development and climate change. The initiative recognises that chalk streams are a globally important habitat, with around 85% of the world's chalk streams located in England, and that the future health of these ecosystems is closely linked to the sustainable management of water resources across the region.
In 2025, we hosted a major stakeholder event bringing together researchers, local government representatives, environmental experts and community organisations to raise awareness of the challenges facing Cambridge's chalk streams and explore practical solutions for their protection and restoration. By supporting evidence-based planning, fostering collaboration between sectors and helping connect scientific expertise with local decision-making, ARU is contributing to efforts to improve water quality, increase ecological resilience and secure the long-term future of one of the East of England's most valuable freshwater environments. This partnership demonstrates how universities can work alongside local government and communities to address environmental challenges that have both regional significance and global conservation importance.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.