Confronting the climate emergency

Ahead of the UN's Climate Conference (COP26), all UK universities have signed up to commitments to tackle the existential crisis we are facing. Our report sets out what universities are doing and what they are committing to, and asks senior leaders what are the greatest challenges are and how the government can help.

What are universities doing?

The climate and ecological emergency is not new. For decades, universities have been at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change and embed sustainability in all areas of life across the UK.

But the need for change is now more urgent than ever, and universities are playing their part through:

Education and skills

Universities are increasing climate literacy by embedding sustainability and climate justice in the curriculum for students and equipping students and staff to understand their own behaviours and to challenge others within the wider context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Research and innovation

Universities are leading global efforts to drive change and adaptation within the wider context of the UN SDGs. A wide variety of disciplines provide solutions through technological breakthroughs, enhancing our knowledge of environmental consequences, international relations, and social, economic and behavioural responses to the emergency.

National and global leadership

UK universities use their expertise to advise decision-makers and collective bodies at the regional, national and international level to address the climate emergency.

Contributing locally

Collaborating with stakeholders, universities help to achieve local ambitions and advance local initiatives, not least supporting green recovery and growth.

Sustainable campuses

Universities are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity and developing their campuses in a sustainable way.

What are universities committing to?

Universities will show leadership from the top to make sure strategic, institutional actions are taken on sustainability. All UK universities commit to the following:

Set targets for scope 1 and 2 emission reductions which support the government’s plans for reducing emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels and achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest (or devolved government equivalents).
Set a target for scope 3 emission reductions and other environmental targets beyond emissions, or commit to a programme of work to set targets as soon as possible.
Ensure that these targets are visible on their websites, alongside information on how the university is addressing the climate emergency through their teaching, research, leadership, local contributions and campus responsibilities (for example, through reference to existing sustainability plans or strategies, or the development of one).
Set out how progress against these targets will be reported in a transparent, consistent, and understandable way, and collectively work with official statistics providers to improve data collection.
Sign the UN’s SDG Accord or embed elements of SDG accord reporting into their existing reporting.
Use the Climate Commission’s Climate Action toolkit to assess how further actions through the university’s policies and reporting could advance the UN SDGs and respond to the climate emergency.

Case studies

How are universities addressing the climate and ecological emergency?

Julie Tam, Deputy Director of Policy at Universities UK, writes on the importance of universities in tackling the climate emergency, and what more can be done.

What can the government do?

The government has recognised the importance of investing in decarbonisation – however, no direct investment or explicit recognition of the higher education sector has been given.

Barriers to universities accessing the public sector decarbonisation scheme must be addressed.
The government’s funding policies for teaching and research must support – and not undermine – the higher education sector’s ambitions on sustainability. Funding policies must recognise the need for investment in infrastructure.
Any reductions to teaching funding in England would damage the ability of universities to be part of the solution to the climate emergency. Cuts to funding would reduce the amount available for investment in new technologies and infrastructure as well as limiting their education and local roles.
Changes like the recent government cuts to Official Development Assistance funding severely constrain the power of universities to combat the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.
To support the leaders of tomorrow, we are calling on government to work in partnership with universities though match-funded COP26 scholarships, to develop the next generation of climate leaders.

Publications