Re2Geo · Regreening and Redeveloping organic contaminated sites as carbon-negative Geo-structures

The European Union (EU) has 2.8 million contaminated sites in 2024 that need to be remediated to improve land sustainability and resilience. The number comes to ~23,000 contaminated sites of ~27,000 hectares in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, the EU has a surprisingly low remediation rate of 8.3%, and current soil remediation practices have never achieved profitability and decarbonisation so far. The migration of pollutants in these sites, especially organic pollutants, threatens human health. My fellowship aims to regreen and redevelop organic contaminated sites as carbon-negative geo-structures (Re2Geo). This is achieved through innovations in three interconnected work packages, involving (i) developing a novel material through nano-materialisation and functionalisation of wastes, (ii) optimising its carbon capture and soil remediation functions, and (iii) transforming remediated soils into carbon-negative geo-structures and sustainability validation. My fellowship project is highly interdisciplinary, requiring me to develop skills and expertise in civil engineering, waste management, geo-environmental engineering, and material science. This is enabled by the training activities and two-way knowledge transfer during the fellowship as planned in detail with the host academic institution. This fellowship allows me to carry out focused and independent research to address the significant scientific challenge, and the outcomes will generate significant academic and industrial impacts. This fellowship allows me to develop into a well-rounded researcher with skills in leadership, teaching, and international academic collaboration and eventually become an emerging leader in the sustainable remediation and redevelopment of contaminated sites, promoting the EU's commitment and leading position in environmental sustainability.