What can universities do after COP28?

With COP28 aiming for a renewed focus on youth and education, we are taking a moment to review the progress our members have made on climate and sustainability, and the ambitious work happening across the sector on climate education.

Universities have a responsibility to lead the way to a more sustainable future. The technology which will transform the world, from climate-positive gin to hydrogen-powered planes, is being developed by world-leading researchers in our institutions. With a crucial role in both their local communities and in global conversations, universities are uniquely placed to show leadership on the climate emergency. This means it’s only right that universities are leading the way, both with their own practices and with the education they provide.

What are universities doing?

Many of our members are aiming to be net zero decades before the UK government, radically changing their operations to be fit for a more sustainable future.

Over the last year, we’ve seen increasing momentum from our members on setting climate targets. In an increase since last year, 86% of members are now reporting net zero targets for scope 1 and 2 emissions, which relate to universities’ own estates and activities. In addition, 65% of members have declared targets for scope 3 emissions, which includes emissions from wider activity such as procurement and international student travel.

We are already seeing the impact of this commitment; the University of Plymouth has already achieved carbon neutrality in scope 1 and 2 emissions, exceeding their ambitious target of 2025.

What are universities teaching?

Increasingly, universities understand that it is not enough to decarbonise their own estates, or even to develop research addressing the climate emergency. As educators, they are custodians of the next generation, with a duty to prepare every student with the skills and knowledge they will need to transition to a new green economy.

Analysis has shown that demand is already outstripping supply for green jobs, with most vacancies for green jobs in the UK being advertised outside of London and the South East. Low-carbon jobs are more skills-intensive than comparable jobs without a green focus, meaning that high-level tertiary skills will be needed to fill this gap. This means there is a huge opportunity for highly skilled graduates across the whole UK, developing in-demand skills to support the net zero transition.

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How can universities support students facing fuel poverty?

A recent survey from Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), the Homes Fit For Study report, highlights the impact of fuel poverty on students’ wellbeing, revealing issues which need urgent attention.

Our members are increasingly changing their curricula and educational experiences for students to learn green skills and provide a rounded climate education. This is crucial for preparing the next generation of students as informed global citizens, as well as equipping them with the skills needed for the transition to a greener economy. This will become even more relevant for mid-career workers choosing to reskill or upskill to take advantage of new opportunities.

Below you can find examples of our members’ work on improving the education they offer to students, with an increased focus on sustainable development and green skills.

University of Huddersfield

The University of Huddersfield has a multi-layered approach to engaging students in sustainability. The core is the co-curricular Global Professional Award (GPA). The importance of the UN SDGs are emphasised within the context of enterprise, employability and wellbeing. Working with charities, like the Canal and River Trust, bespoke volunteering opportunities are offered as part of our Green Volunteering programme. Within the curriculum, opportunities for class-based field trips have seen students develop team skills through tree-planting as part of our net-zero ‘Forest of Freshers’ commitment. Within the Career Service, students are being equipped to explore green issues for career decision making.

University of Plymouth

The Future Shift Internship and Sustainable Leadership Programme was an innovative knowledge exchange project. It provided invaluable support for Devon-based enterprises combined with practical experience and leadership development for students and recent graduates at the University of Plymouth. Part of the Sustainability Hub: Low Carbon Devon project, the Future Shift programme supported 43 students or recent graduates to complete a variety of three-month low carbon projects for enterprises, from measuring carbon footprints to researching a report on future energy markets. Bringing skills from their various degree programmes, the students and graduates completed a series of workshops to give them the skills to become future-fit as change-makers, leaders and role models of a low carbon society.

The workshops were framed using the Plymouth Compass leadership tool, helping the interns develop the attributes – as well as the inspiration and confidence – they will need to facilitate proactive change within the climate challenge. This work is being carried forward through a new HEIF-funded project called Net-Zero Exchange, developing the concept of student internships supporting the delivery of SME climate action into a sustainable model that will open the opportunity to a larger number of students.

Green Gown Award Finalist – Queen’s University Belfast

The team at Queen’s University Belfast has developed an Industrial and Green Chemistry module with the aim of “training responsible practitioners in green and sustainability chemistry”. Hundreds of students have been educated in this module, equipping them with the skills to take a greener approach in their future research and employment alongside their wider training. Graduates are well-prepared for the future workplace where green skills will be required, and completing the module enables them to think sustainably about future projects in chemistry and chemical engineering they may undertake in further study or industrial applications.

Green Gown Awards Finalist – University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh has created a sustainability fellowship programme called Edinburgh Earth Fellows, offering paid part-time research opportunities available to all students, from undergraduates to PhD candidates. This programme allows students to lead projects developed with research staff, as well as external local and global partners. Through the programme, Fellows develop a valuable network as they build academic and professional skills alongside staff, other students, and external stakeholders. Fellows bring diverse lived experiences to their projects, enriching the university and its communities with the work, and developing the skills needed to drive climate research forwards over the coming years.

To find out more about our members’ work on climate action, you can read case studies from our Made at Uni: Climate Action campaign, and explore finalist submissions for the EAUC’s Green Gown Awards.

What can universities do after COP28?

On this page

What are universities doing?

What are universities teaching?

How can universities support students facing fuel poverty?

University of Huddersfield

University of Plymouth

Green Gown Award Finalist – Queen’s University Belfast

Green Gown Awards Finalist – University of Edinburgh

Abby Whitewell

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What can universities do after COP28?

On this page

What are universities doing?

What are universities teaching?

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University of Huddersfield

University of Plymouth

Green Gown Award Finalist – Queen’s University Belfast

Green Gown Awards Finalist – University of Edinburgh

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