Our Climate Action campaign shows the bold and innovative climate action at UK universities.
The UK is a hotbed for game-changing climate solutions. But many people are unaware of how much is being done to tackle the climate emergency.
We surveyed 2,000 parents of children aged 16–18 years olds. Only 4 in 10 believe UK universities are equipping students with knowledge about climate change and only 49% believed that universities are researching solutions to the climate crisis. Our campaign aims to change this perception and show what UK universities are really doing.
Bold and innovative solutions to the climate crisis
Universities are working closely with their local communities, businesses, charities and policymakers to urgently develop climate solutions that benefit us all and generations to come.
The campaign is showcasing the projects and solutions coming from UK universities, from research and innovation to giving students the green skills they need to help tackle the emergency. These are just a few examples.
Campaign website
Made At Uni
Building houses with waste
The University of Brighton is revolutionising the way we build with Europe’s first permanent public building made almost entirely from material thrown away or not wanted.
The building was constructed almost entirely by young people studying construction trades, architecture and design, with nearly 300 students working on the project. Brighton Waste House proves that there’s no such thing as ‘waste’ material – just stuff in the wrong place!
Using art to change perceptions
The University of East London has been using art as a powerful reminder of the problems climate change is causing right now – both around the world and on our own doorsteps.
Artist Michael Pinsky worked with students at the university to create the Pollution Pods, a set of domes designed to recreate the pollution of five cities around the world using air quality, smell and temperature. The pods toured cities across the UK, completing their tour at the international climate summit COP26.
The Pollution Pods by UEL reader Michael Pinsky will feature on BBC London News tonight at 6.30pm. Tune in to hear about the Pods and the UEL students supporting the tour across the UK to #COP26Glasgow.
— Uni of East London (@UEL_News) October 19, 2021
🌎https://t.co/zGVbBQvMfj #pollutionpods #pollutiondrift #COP26 pic.twitter.com/c0WgsXPnwQ
Inventing climate-positive gin
In collaboration with Arbikie Distillery, Abertay University is putting the humble garden pea front and centre in the first-ever 'climate positive' gin. Their new gin, 'Nàdar', has a carbon footprint of -1.54 kg CO2e, meaning it removes more carbon emissions than it creates.
Get involved
Want to help promote the climate action work universities are doing? Find out more in our campaign guide.