Sustainable Living

Focusing on areas such as renewable energy and the Digital Green Economy are crucial in addressing the unsustainable practices in production and consumption that jeopardise and constrain options for future generations. SMU researchers seek evidence-based approaches to trade-off analysis, decision-making, and management at the level of firms, industries, communities and entire economies to foster sustainability.

Research Highlights

Digital Green Economy

See Assistant Professor Simon Schillebeeckx talk about the Digital Green Economy and how it offers new ways to address sustainability problems.

Management of Renewable Energy

Assistant Professor Helen Zhou discusses her research on how wind farm merchants have been considering co‐locating electricity generation and grid‐scale storage facilities, such as industrial batteries.

Commodity Risk Management

Can making crop planning decisions based on principles of sustainable agriculture actually help farmers increase profitability and also be beneficial for the environment? See Professor Onur Boyabatli’s research on crop planning, and the benefits.

Relevant Institutes, Centres and Labs 

Our institutes and centres advance sustainable living by integrating research across environment, finance, and society. They develop practical strategies and technologies that promote responsible resource use, green growth, and resilient communities, ensuring sustainability drives both policy and everyday practice.

Sustainability at SMU

At SMU, sustainable living isn’t a slogan — it’s a strategic priority. Our Sustainability Blueprint drives research across five focus areas: sustainable business operations; urban infrastructure; finance & impact assessment; agro-business & food systems; and ageing & wellbeing. We integrate campus operations, education, and community engagement to pioneer practical solutions — from greener buildings and mobility to inclusive wellbeing — that deliver measurable impact in policy, society, and the environment.