Research at the ERI currently focuses on three primary themes:

Environmental Contamination and Ecological Health

Ecosystems and the species that reside within them are susceptible to stressors. Globally, a myriad and ever increasing range of chemical contaminants are now present in our environment; and, natural stressors (such as rapid climate change) can also pose a major threat to biodiversity.

Carbon Water and Climate

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are home to a range of diverse wild habitats with unique biodiversity attributes, many of which represent the last remnants of pristine environments left within the UK. In their natural state, they play critical roles in the regulation of water and in the local, regional and global regulation of climate, through sequestration and storage of carbon.

Renewable Energy and the Environment

A major issue in the development of all renewable energy industries are environmental uncertainties and concerns varying from “reliability of supply” linked to climate variability and vulnerability of the resource to fears of damage to the environment, fishing and tourism. In parallel with the economic redevelopment of the region, ERI will apply its environmental knowledge to assist in establishing sustainable industries sympathetic to the local environment and communities.