Manchester University Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI)

Manchester University's Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) is a multidisciplinary centre of global excellence researching major national and international issues associated with sustainability and encouraging consumers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The SCI will:

Draw on expertise from across all of the University of Manchester's four faculties (University of Manchester);
Provide a hub to bring together global expertise, with specific research programmes commissioned at Manchester, but also at other leading world centres;
Focus on four research themes, sustainable consumer behaviour and lifestyle, sustainable production and distribution, climate change and carbon, and making development more sustainable (SCI Research);
Provide a focal point for the training of the next generation of researchers, policy makers and advisors in the public and private sectors in the area of sustainable consumption, through an extensive training Programme for postgraduate students (Doctoral Training Centre).

The SCI has been set up against the background of the global threat from climate change and the economic benefits of early action highlighted by the Stern Review.

It is recognised that the key to success will be a co-operative approach by government, business and the consumer which will involve understanding how to move towards a low-carbon economy by consuming more efficiently and how to lead low-carbon lifestyles.

Retailers have an important part to play due to their understanding of the consumer and their influence over supply chains and the range of products and services available. Retailers can also contribute by reducing the carbon footprints of their own operations.