Universities, sustainability and the climate emergency

• Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth

• Kristina Murrin, CEO, The Royal Anniversary Trust

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes celebrate excellence, innovation and public benefit in work carried out by UK colleges and universities. The Platinum Jubilee Challenge was launched for universities and further education colleges to work together to reduce their carbon emissions. This session will showcase findings and best practices that aim to set out a pathway for the sector to reach net zero.  

• Andy Nolan, Development & Sustainability Director, University of Nottingham, Sustainability Chair, Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE)
• Angela Francis, Director of Policy Solutions, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature UK) 
• Millie May, Education lead, Climate Society, University of Cambridge

Amidst a turbulent political and economic backdrop, there is a danger of the sustainability agenda being deprioritised when there are so many other issues to address. This session will focus on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, what opportunities there are to progress sustainability, and discuss how we can ensure that sustainability stays a priority in universities.

• Tracey John, Director of Business, Research and Innovation, University of the West of England (UWE) 
• Laila Takeh, Director, Net Zero Transformation, Deloitte 

As jobs and the economy become greener, we all need to transform our skills to match the demand. What role do universities play in driving forward opportunities to develop green skills and meet the future needs of businesses and the economy?

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• Professor Sir Duncan Wingham, Executive Chair, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Professor Liz Price, Professor of Environmental Education and Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sustainability, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Dr Ramit Debnath, Cambridge Zero Fellow, University of Cambridge
• Chair: Jovan Luzajic, Acting Assistant Director, Policy, Universities UK

This session will discuss the impact of climate research and innovation on public policy and businesses. How universities can continue to work together and be leaders in driving change.  

• Sarah Lynch, Head of Sustainability, Queen’s University Belfast
• Professor Ada Wossink, Professor of Environmental Economics, The University of Manchester
• Chair: Sivi Sivanesan, Biodiversity and Landscape Manager, University of Kingston

University campuses often encompass valuable wildlife habitats that need to be actively managed. This session will highlight biodiversity initiatives and how they involve and enrich their local communities.  

• John McMillian, Managing Director, Global, EAB
• David Brett, Senior Director, Global, EAB
• Michael Fischer, Director, Research Advisory Services, EAB

Among the many lessons of the past two years is the discovery that, when the moment necessitates, colleges and universities can act quickly, address cross-campus problems, and adopt new technologies and policies. Looking forward, there is perhaps no greater challenge that requires extensive and coordinated university effort than sustainability.

In this session, EAB experts will discuss the various approaches institutions around the world have deployed to meet their climate commitments. Topics covered will include the pursuit of carbon net-zero status, analysis of costs and benefits of various next-gen efficiency efforts, and engagement of new stakeholders in sustainability efforts across campus.

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• Fiona Goodwin, CEO (interim), EAUC
• Jack Ruane, University League Manager at People & Planet 
• Chair: Julie Tam, Acting Director, Policy, Universities UK

How do you successfully set and achieve net zero targets and effectively report on the reduction of carbon emissions? In this session you will hear about the Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework that has been designed to help the sector progress.  

• Owen Sheridan, Deputy Head of Global Mobility, De Montfort University 
• Albina Szeles, Associate Director Global Mobility, Coventry University
• Chair: Ben Matthews, Associate Director for Global Engagement, Lancaster University

Universities have been adapting their internationalisation strategies and activity to positively impact their commitment to climate action. This session will highlight initiatives that providers have put in place such as developing modules to support students and staff when travelling overseas and virtual mobility experiences embedded into courses.

• Professor Martin Siegert, Co-Director, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London and Deputy VC (Cornwall), University of Exeter
• Anna Brown, Head of Marketing & Communications, Falmouth University
• Aayushi Awasthy, PhD Student, University of East Anglia (UEA) 
• Chair: Martyn Edwards, Director of Marketing and Advancement, Loughborough University

How can we effectively communicate the impacts of climate change which is detrimental to both people and the planet? This session will discuss how communication is crucial for gaining support, and making progress but also for providing support for eco-anxiety and resilience.

• Professor Julie Sanders, Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London

• Dr Simon Boxley, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Winchester
• Carlos Shanka, winner of the Sustainability Student Champion Green Gown award, University of Bristol
• Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, Professor of Meteorology, Head of School, University of Reading

What are universities doing proactively to embed sustainability into the curriculum? This session will discuss how the higher education sector has an essential role to play in educating staff and students to develop solutions to address it.

• Professor Sir Ian Boyd, Professor, University of St Andrews and former Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Fiona Walsh, Partnerships and Development Director, Student Hubs 
• Sorcha Young, Bristol Hub Manager, Student Hubs

Why is it important to have a local and regional approach to climate action? This session will look at ways in which universities and the broader higher education sector have collaborated with local businesses and governments to innovate in green ways.  

• Professor Julie Sanders, Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London