The role of universities in tackling the climate emergency

3 Feb - 4 Feb 2021, 09:30 - 16:30

Online

Book here

Overview

Climate change is the defining global issue of our time. If we are to achieve the aim of limiting the rise of global temperatures to less than 1.5°C as outlined by the Paris Agreement, we need to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

University research has allowed us to understand the threat that climate change poses and is leading the way in offering us solutions through new technology and innovative policy. But what further role can universities play in addressing this global challenge? How can we make our campuses carbon neutral and ensure that internationalisation goes hand-in-hand with sustainability?

This two-day, online conference will be exploring these issues in-depth, providing you with practical, actionable steps that your institution can take to become more sustainable. We will also be exploring ways to engage with your student and staff body on this pertinent topic, and enhance the student experience.

Why should you attend?

This is an issue where there is widespread agreement on the need for action, but limited knowledge or sharing of best practice which is specific to universities. This event will bring together leading experts, passionate practitioners, and university leaders with the goal of sharing best practice and actionable information. Topics we will be covering include:

Preparing for COP-26
How can universities achieve net-zero emissions?
Can higher education be international and sustainable?
Clean, green, sustainable campuses
The role of research
Engaging with students and staff

This conference will be held online over the course of two days. Alongside eight hours of informative, timely content from the most pertinent speakers on the topic, we will also be providing a wide range of opportunities to network, discuss, and make connections with colleagues within the sector.

You will also be able to access the recordings of all sessions after the event, including breakout sessions which you were unable to attend.

Who should attend?

This conference is essential for all staff working on sustainability and climate change within their institutions, or within student engagement roles. It will also be of interest to staff working on internationalisation and who are looking to make their processes and programmes more sustainable. However, anyone with an interest in the topic is welcome to attend. Potential relevant job titles include:

Pro-Vice-Chancellors, International/Research
Manager/Director/Officer for Sustainability
Head of/Director/Officer for International
Director/Head/Officer for Research
Director/Head/Officer for Student Experience
Director/Head/Officer for Estates
Director/Head/Officer for Student Services
Director/Head of Planning and Strategy
Study abroad teams

If you have any questions about this or any other of our events, please contact us on events@universitiesuk.ac.uk or 07500 441505.

We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact Esther Dudley, Head of Events and Engagement for more information: esther.dudley@universitiesuk.ac.uk

If you want to stay up to date with our events, news, and publications, you can sign up for our newsletters here.

Day 1

09.30	Platform opens for self-navigation and exploration
10:00- 12:10	Morning plenaries
10:00	Chair's welcome and opening remarks Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth and Climate Commissioner, Universities UK
10:10	Combatting climate change: the view from Westminster Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, Chairman, Committee on Climate Change Setting the scene for the conference, our opening keynote will outline the impacts of climate change and how the UK is contributing to combating this global issue. From rising temperatures and sea levels to extreme weather events and a threat to wildlife populations, we must act now to protect our planet.
10:30	The road to net zero Dr Bevis Watts, Chief Executive, Triodos Bank UK Dr Alex Ryan, Director of Sustainability, University of Gloucestershire Natasha Landell-Mills, Head of Stewardship, Sarasin & Partners Andrew Nolan, Development & Sustainability Director, University of Nottingham and Sustainability Advisory Group Chair, Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) Ola Bankole, Head of Sustainability, Bloomsbury Colleges With lots of commitment on paper and targets to reach, how do we turn those commitments into a reality? How has the impact of Covid-19 realigned thinking and everyday working practices that could help improve the commitment to reducing carbon emissions? Speakers will discuss topics including sustainable investments, data collection, effective estates strategies, and embedding sustainability within university strategy.
11:30	Student activism: campaigning for change Jamie Agombar, Executive Director, Students Organising for Sustainability Martin Wiles, Head of Sustainability, University of Bristol Juan Ramón Candia, International Student Ambassador, UKCISA and PhD student at the Management School, University of York Students are key change makers when it comes to improving sustainable practices and shaping environmental policy. In this session, we will hear about current campaigns that are most important to students and how they are making waves in their institutions.
11:55	Building back green in the era of the pandemic Professor Sir Ian Boyd, Member of the Climate Commission Council and Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Board, University of St Andrews Currently a member the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), Professor Sir Ian Boyd will give a short talk about building back in the aftermath of covid-19 and how this is an opportunity to be greener and more sustainable. How can the sector tackle the climate challenge at the right scale and empower people to mainstream sustainability across university activities?
12:05	Closing remarks Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth and Climate Commissioner, Universities UK
12:10 - 14:30	Break from sessions and virtual conference café
14:30- 16:00	Day 1 - Afternoon breakout sessions Choose one session to attend.
	The role of research Dr Stuart Capstick, Deputy Director, Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) and Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Cardiff University Sophie Laurie, Associate Director Interdisciplinary Capability, National Environment Research Council Professor Tahseen Jafry, Director of Centre for Climate Justice, Glasgow Caledonian University Professor Subhes Bhattacharyya, Professor of Energy Economics and Policy, Director, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University Chair: Professor John Rowan, Vice-Principal (Research, Knowledge Exchange & Wider Impact), University of Dundee The demand for research evidence to inform our understanding and response to climate change has never been greater. Extending the portfolio of research across the UK including interdisciplinary research will be essential What can we learn from the work so far and what is required for universities to extend their R&D impact?
	The partnership approach - University communities working together for positive change Laura Elizabeth Barr, Engage for Change Manager, Cambridge Hub Dr Neil Smith, Sustainability Manager, Bournemouth University Dr Tara Ivanochko, Academic Director, UBC Sustainability Initiative, University of British Columbia Jamie Pearson, Environmental Sustainability Manager, Edinburgh Napier University Anita Ogilvie, Executive Manager (Strategy), Edinburgh Napier University Chair: Dr Amanda Slevin, Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) Policy Fellow, Queen’s University Belfast This session will showcase case studies from organisations and individuals who are exemplar in practices to engage students, staff and their local community in tackling sustainability issues and achieve net-zero.
	End of Day 1

Day 2

09.30	Platform opens for self-navigation and exploration
10:00- 11:30	Morning breakout sessions Choose one session to attend.
	Clean, green, sustainable campuses Professor Frances Corner OBE, Warden, Goldsmiths, University of London Clare Oxborrow, Senior Sustainability Analyst, Friends of the Earth Sivakhami Sivanesan, Biodiversity and Landscape Manager, Estates and Sustainability, Kingston University James Rolfe, Chief Operating Officer, Anglia Ruskin University Chair: Dr Heidi Smith, Head of Sustainability and Staff Wellbeing, Swansea University From using green energy sources to cutting down on waste and improving food sustainability, how can University campuses up their game and embed green initiatives into their everyday culture? This session will highlight the biggest areas of campus life in which universities can make a measurable impact on climate change.
	Staff and student carbon literacy to support institutional climate response Phil Korbel, Director of Advocacy, Carbon Literacy Project and Co-Founder, Cooler Chloe Andrews, Higher Education Coordinator, Carbon Literacy Project Professor Zoe Robinson, Professor of Sustainability in Higher Education, Keele University Dr Lia Blaj-Ward, School of Arts and Humanities, Nottingham Trent University Dr Alex Hope, Head of Department for Leadership and Human Resource Management and Associate Professor of Business Ethics at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University Chair: Professor Petra Molthan-Hill, Head NTU Green Academy and Professor of Sustainable Management and Education for Sustainable Development, Nottingham Trent University This session will explore how universities can engage all staff and students to contribute to high impact climate solutions whether they work in operations, are academics, study or engage with the university in any other way. How can universities transform their curricula to integrate climate change education into all disciplines through improved carbon literacy? And how do you encourage sustainable behaviours in disengaged members of the university community? This session will discuss carbon literacy training for all staff and students, how to embed climate change science education into all subjects as well as climate change mitigation education in arts & humanities and business schools.
11:30 - 14:30	Break from sessions and virtual conference café
14:30- 16:00	Day 2 - Afternoon plenaries
14:30	Welcome and opening remarks from the chair Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth and Climate Commissioner, Universities UK
14:35	Climate commission: where are we now? Professor Joy Carter, Vice-Chancellor, University of Winchester, and Climate Commissioner, GuildHE Marta Crispo, PhD Researcher, Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Sheffield, Student Climate Commissioner, Universities UK In just over a year since its launch, we catch up with The Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education Students and Leaders and what progress has been made.
15.05	Universities as international operators - sustainable and impactful? Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President & Vice-Principal (International), King's College London Professor Neville Wylie, Deputy Principal (Internationalisation), University of Stirling Matt Dunlop, Head of Sustainability, Newcastle University Higher Education is a truly global business. How can universities balance their international recruitment, research and exchange with their need to be green? Can Universities continue to thrive globally whilst combating climate change? What can universities do to make internationalisation sustainable when operating and influencing internationally? We will hear about what various institutions are doing in this area as well as a focus on a sector-wide approach in Scotland to develop solutions.
15:45	Preparing for COP-26 Professor Tim Bedford, Associate Principal, University of Strathclyde 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 Matt Toombs, Director for Partnerships and Engagement, COP26 Unit, Cabinet Office Ahead of the UN’s Climate Change Conference in November 2021, how, as a sector, are we preparing to contribute to the biggest international summit that the UK has ever hosted?
16:25	Closing remarks Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth and Climate Commissioner, Universities UK
	End of conference

Blog

Two people are sitting next to each other at a computer, one is teaching the other a new skill

Laying the foundations for a skills-led recovery

29 January 2021

Following the publication of the UK government’s Skills for jobs white paper, Greg Wade, UUK’s policy lead on innovation, growth, employability and skills, studies its proposals and makes the case for a ‘whole skills approach’.

Pathways and flexibility are key to supporting lifelong learning

18 December 2020

Dave Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University, argues that if we are to facilitate lifelong learning and avoid ‘educational dead ends’, universities must play a core role in qualification design.

News

Government must urgently reconsider research budget cuts

16 March 2021

Universities UK has written to the government seeking urgent clarity on the future of funding for UK science and research, after reports emerge that the government is preparing to significantly cut the budget for research.

Cuts to ODA will limit UK universities’ role in solving global challenges

12 March 2021

Planned government cuts to Official Development Assistance funding (ODA) will fall heavily on UK universities, severely limiting their ability to combat pressing global challenges.

The role of universities in tackling the climate emergency

Overview

Why should you attend?

Who should attend?

Day 1

09.30

Platform opens for self-navigation and exploration

10:00-

12:10

Morning plenaries

10:00

Chair's welcome and opening remarks

10:10

Combatting climate change: the view from Westminster

​10:30

The road to net zero

​11:30

​Student activism: campaigning for change

​11:55

​Building back green in the era of the pandemic

​12:05

​Closing remarks

​12:10 - 14:30

​Break from sessions and virtual conference café

​14:30-

16:00

Day 1 - Afternoon breakout sessions

The role of research

The partnership approach - University communities working together for positive change

End of Day 1

Day 2

09.30

Platform opens for self-navigation and exploration

10:00-

11:30

Morning breakout sessions

Clean, green, sustainable campuses

Staff and student carbon literacy to support institutional climate response

​11:30 - 14:30

​Break from sessions and virtual conference café

​14:30-

16:00

Day 2 - Afternoon plenaries

14:30

Welcome and opening remarks from the chair

​14:35

​Climate commission: where are we now?

​15.05

​Universities as international operators - sustainable and impactful?

​15:45

​Preparing for COP-26

16:25

Closing remarks

End of conference

Esther Dudley

Blog

Laying the foundations for a skills-led recovery

Pathways and flexibility are key to supporting lifelong learning

News

Government must urgently reconsider research budget cuts

Cuts to ODA will limit UK universities’ role in solving global challenges

10:30

11:30

Student activism: campaigning for change

11:55

Building back green in the era of the pandemic

12:05

Closing remarks

12:10 - 14:30

Break from sessions and virtual conference café

14:30-

11:30 - 14:30

Break from sessions and virtual conference café

14:30-

14:35

Climate commission: where are we now?

15.05

Universities as international operators - sustainable and impactful?

15:45

Preparing for COP-26