AHRC Net Zero Visions – Sustainability Hub Mural

A positive vision for Plymouth and the University of Plymouth, in collaboration with Devon Climate Emergency
AHRC Net Zero Visions – Sustainability Hub Mural
Net Zero Visions is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by Professor David Sergeant (principle investigator) and Dr Emma Whittaker (co-investigator) at University of Plymouth, in collaboration with Devon Climate Emergency. Its mission to create a resilient, net-zero Devon where people and nature thrive. It is rooted in the idea that we cannot achieve change unless we also try to imagine it; and that imagining it can raise a wider awareness of what is at stake and encourage action. Acclaimed professionals in animation, illustration, interactive games, and public murals are currently working with communities to produce positive ‘Visions’ of locations across Devon as carbon net-zero in 2050. However, this imaginative effort is also open to everyone.
The Net Zero Visions mural on the Sustainability Hub has been designed by University of Plymouth BA (Hons) Illustration graduate Eleanor Croker and painted together with the Net Zero Visions commissioned mural artist, Dr Kate Crawfurd, and assisted by Jessica Mallory, a University of Plymouth BA (Hons) Illustration graduate.
The mural’s augmented reality experience was created by University of Plymouth, BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design students Rosie Carter and Aaron Alchin, and includes animated local species, such as the Brown Banded Carder bee, the Dunlin, a type of sandpiper found wading along the coast, primroses and oak leaves. The augmented reality experience is available by scanning the QR code at the mural.
The mural depicts a range of net zero and sustainability visions for the university and for the city of Plymouth and celebrates initiatives already taking place:

  • xThe University currently uses 100% renewable energy. We purchase energy from a REGO certified supplier, ensuring the electricity we use comes from renewable sources such as wind farms.

  • xWe utilise rainwater harvesting in many of our buildings as part of our water saving strategy, including in Roland Levinsky Building.

  • xWe already have solar Photo Voltaic (electricity generating) panels on some of our University buildings, and we are working on projects to increase our capacity across the main campus as part of our net-zero aims.

The mural also depicts:
  • A vision for green roofs and walls across the city
  • Celebrates sea grass in Plymouth Sound
  • Celebrates allotments for all, across the city
  • Celebrates biodiversity and wildflowers across the city, encouraging beneficial insects
  • A vision for tree planting initiatives 
  • A vision for wind turbines
  • A vision for more solar panels across the city
  • A vision for green public transport 
  • Celebrates electric charging points across the city
  • A vision for reusable food boxes and sustainable, healthy local food for all
  • A vision for more safe cycling 
  • Celebrates secondhand, reuse, repair and share initiatives
  • A vision for more local plastic recycling
  • University of Plymouth vision for reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050
  • A University of Plymouth vision to create a sustainable food culture, providing Fairtrade products where possible and working with local food partners to increase the demand and supply of seasonal, local and organic food.
Some of these goals have already been achieved within the University, find out more about University of Plymouth’s Low Carbon and Sustainability Actions .

Want to get involved?

University of Plymouth students can find out how you can get involved on the environment and sustainability portal (log in required).

If you have seen any of our murals, please fill in our quick survey to share your thoughts.

Net Zero Visions mural public survey