People have been using plants to brighten up their homes for as long as homes have existed, but do those plants have a more than just a decorative effect on the indoor environment? That鈥檚 the question the new project aims to answer.
Cranfield University is a partner in the project 鈥� led by the University of Surrey鈥檚 Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) 鈥� that will be exploring the role of plants and green infrastructure in improving indoor environmental quality and promoting health in the face of climate change. That includes how plants can improve air quality, regulate temperature and control humidity inside buildings.
With 拢600,000 funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), GREEIN aims to conduct collaborative studies to expand knowledge on the broader health benefits of indoor greening, create practical guidelines and actional solutions to enhance the design of working and living spaces and promote the wider use of green infrastructure.
Zaheer Nasar, Reader in Atmospheric Aerosols at Cranfield University, said: 鈥淕REENIN provides a platform that fosters a community of communities dedicated to developing a comprehensive understanding of how to design and implement health-promoting indoor green spaces and their effects on indoor air quality, humidity, temperature, and bioaerosols.
鈥淯nderstanding these factors is crucial for making informed decisions to ensure safe and healthy environments for living, working, and recreation, especially in the context of energy conservation goals and future climate change scenarios.鈥�
Frederic Coulon, Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology and Director of the Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre at Cranfield University, said: 鈥淭he GREENIN project offers a unique opportunity to bridge environmental biotechnology with indoor sustainability.
鈥淏y understanding how plants and green systems interact with the indoor microbiome and air quality, we can design healthier built environments that support wellbeing while reducing energy demands. The network will help translate scientific evidence into practical solutions for greener, more resilient living and working spaces.鈥�
Professor Prashant Kumar, Founding Director of GCARE and leader of Micro Network Plus, said: 鈥淲hile outdoor greening solutions like green walls and trees are well-researched and increasingly popular, we lack a clear understanding of how indoor plants affect indoor environmental quality, their interplay with outdoor greening near buildings, and how their impact will change as the climate warms. This new project presents an opportunity to answer essential questions about indoor greening and its potential to transform the way we live and work.
鈥淭he integration of indoor plants into building design could help us meet Net Zero goals, improving both the energy efficiency of buildings and the wellbeing of their occupants. Our findings could well help policymakers and designers make informed decisions that create healthier, safer living environments for future generations.鈥�
GREENIN is led by the University of Surrey, and brings together a multidisciplinary team from Cranfield University, The University of Oxford, University of York, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the University of Bath as well as a collaboration of 27 local and international partners.
