The Centre for Global Eco-Innovation was established in 2012 based on the University’s pioneering decision to place its world-class environmental research at the heart of driving innovation for Clean and Sustainable Growth.The Centre led a Science Innovation Audit published by the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy demonstrating that the North West of England has the knowledge, skills, place and capacity to be world leading in the development of technologies for clean and sustainable growth.  

As a result the centre is proud to lead Eco-I North West, a £14m research and innovation project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Eco-I NW is a collaboration between the universities of Lancaster, Central Lancashire (UCLAN), Cumbria, Liverpool John Moores, Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan and facilitates business-led R&D by opening up university expertise, resources and facilities. The project has created a distinctive model for interdisciplinary research with businesses. 

With growing international reach, the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation also leads the Global Challenges Research Fund RECIRCULATE project supporting African businesses and researchers to develop and deliver safe and sustainable water use. RECIRCULATE has also supported a Global Research Translation Award, ACTUATE, which will accelerate the demonstration of community-based bioenergy systems in Ghana and Nigeria.