Universities and the climate emergency: action following COP26

Professor Judith Petts CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth and Chair, Climate Task and Finish Group, Universities UK 

Professor Paul Monks, Chief Scientific Advisor, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

Professor Judith Petts CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth and Chair, Climate Task and Finish Group, Universities UK

• Sophie Westlake, Deputy Director, Sustainability strategy and international, Department for Education
• Alyssa Gilbert, Director of Policy and Translation at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, and Chair, The COP26 Universities Network 
• Manveer Gill, Student Climate Commissioner, Climate Change Commission for UK Higher and Further Education and Senior Project Officer, CDP
• Professor Tim Bedford, Associate Principal for Research and Innovation, University of Strathclyde

In the wake of COP26, there is a renewed sense of urgency in the rush to Net Zero. Join us for this debrief of the key take-aways and priorities from Glasgow. What roles will higher education play in the coming months and years? What can we expect to see in the Government’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for education next spring? 

• Professor Jim Longhurst, Professor of Environmental Science and Assistant Vice Chancellor, Environment and Sustainability, University of West of England
• Dr Vitalia Kinakh, Lecturer, University of Manchester

Education is critical to addressing climate change across sectors and professions. In this session, we’ll be joined by speakers sharing how they have embedded climate literacy and environmental education into their curricula, and imparting advice on how other institutions can follow suit. 

Professor Judith Petts CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth and Chair, Climate Task and Finish Group, Universities UK

• Host: Clare Oxborrow, Senior Sustainability Analyst, Friends of the Earth and 

  Claudia Tarry, Consultant, Friends of the Earth

In this networking session, you can meet colleagues and swap best practices and solutions to sector-wide challenges. This discussion will focus on challenges and approaches to food sustainability on campus, and also be a chance to hear about Friends of the Earth’s ‘Kale Yeah! Kitchens’ scheme as a way to help reduce emissions in the hotspot area of meat and dairy. Bring your drink of choice, turn your camera and microphone on and get settled in for a lively discussion.

• Lily Tomson, Responsible Investments Network – Universities, ShareAction and Director, Positive Money
• Adam Robbins, Investor Relations Manager UK, Triodos Investment Management
• Natasha Landell-Mills, Partner and Head of Stewardship, Sarasin & Partners
• Chair: Professor Chendi Zhang, Associate Dean for Research (interim), Professor of Finance, and Director of Exeter Sustainable Finance Centre, University of Exeter

Acknowledging the impact of our financial systems on people and the environment has never been more important – and a major way that we can support a better, greener world is by investing in ways that support sustainability. This session discusses how universities can invest responsibly, what support is out there and how we can measure impact. 

• Henriette Stöber, Policy Analyst, European University Association (EUA)
• Professor Trevor Hoey, Vice-Provost (International and Academic Partnerships), Brunel University
• Samantha Waugh, Sustainability Manager, University of Sussex
• Chair: Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President (Global Engagement), King's College London

As a sector, how should we navigate the concurrent goals of both being more sustainable and being more international? Join us for this panel debate as we delve into the key arguments for internationalisation and for sustainability. How can this balancing act be viewed holistically and measured accurately?  

• Caroline Hickman, Psychotherapist and Lecturer, University of Bath 
• Dr Emma Lawrance, Mental Health Innovations Fellow, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London 
• Dr Lory Barile, Associate Professor, University of Warwick
• Dr. Lorenzo Lotti, Associate Professor (Teaching), University College London (UCL)
• Chair: John de Pury, Assistant Director, Policy, Universities UK

With the climate emergency constantly on the news and on our minds, there is growing evidence for the impact this has on wellbeing. This session will discuss the impact of the climate crisis on human behaviour and mental health, with a focus on sustainable solutions and what universities can do to support students and staff with climate anxiety.

• Professor Sir Duncan Wingham, Executive Chair, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 
• Katie Major-Smith, PhD Student, Plymouth Marjon University and Student Climate Commissioner, Climate Change Commission for UK Higher and Further Education
• Chair: Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Strategic Lead for Environment and Sustainability, Keele University and member, Research Council Environmental Sustainability Advisory Group, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

How has environmental impact informed or changed the research landscape? This session analyses the trade-offs between the short-term emissions of international and domestic research with its long-term impacts. What has lockdown taught us about new ways of researching and collaborating, and what lessons can we take forward post-COVID? 

Host: Steven Jefferies, Communications & Campaigns Manager, Universities UK

Join UUK’s Steven Jefferies and colleagues from Greenhouse PR to meet colleagues and discuss exciting plans for a national campaign to promote universities’ efforts to tackle the climate emergency. Following a successful launch of sector-wide commitments in November 2021, UUK will use the MadeAtUni public impact campaign to tell stories about climate action in April 2022.

Points of discussion will include:

• Institutional barriers to faster action and reporting on results
• How can universities inspire future generations in the battle against climate change
• How you can work with UUK and your comms teams to better connect with the public to tell stories about your institutions' efforts

Bring your drink of choice, turn your camera and microphone on and get settled in for a lively discussion.

Professor Steve West CBE, Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer, University of the West of England and President, Universities UK 

• Professor Sir Ian Boyd, Professor in Biology, University of St Andrews and Former Chief Scientific Advisor, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Kirsty Adamson, Programme Manager, Colleges and Universities, Salix Finance
• Professor Hossein Olya, Head of Marketing and Cultural Creative Industries, University of Sheffield

A major roadblock to instigating institutional environmental change is getting the buy-in and funding required from senior leaders. This session will showcase success stories on how to get senior teams on board and build the resources and finances needed to make green change happen. 

• Sharlene Gandhi, Business and sustainability journalist
• Lucy Farrow, Associate Partner, BritainThinks

As we continue to highlight the climate emergency, communicating your institution’s work on sustainability and climate change – particularly to external audiences – is key. Whether that’s to prospective students, alumni, researchers or the media, this session will discuss how to effectively get your message and impact across. 

• Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Place, Newcastle University
• Professor Zoe Robinson, Professor of Sustainability in Higher Education, Keele University
• Serena Bashal, Graduate, Keele University and Winner, Sustainability Champion (student), Green Gown Awards 2021

 Universities work closely with local communities, businesses and authorities to level up and tackle local issues. We’ll be showcasing case studies of partnerships that focus on building back greener and investing in the community - and for the environment - in innovative ways.  

Professor David Reay, Professor of Carbon Management and Education, Edinburgh University

In this keynote, you will hear about findings from the recent publication of the Green Jobs taskforce report and in particular how universities can contribute to bridging the skills gap that is needed to drive a green recovery post covid-19 and reach net zero by 2050. 

Professor Steve West CBE, Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer, University of the West of England and President, Universities UK