The UN Climate Change Convention, held in Glasgow 1-12 November 2021, represented the largest, global coming together to address climate change. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on climate change.
We are proud to be part of the COP26 Universities Network, a growing group of more than 55 UK-based universities and research centres working together to raise ambition for tangible outcomes from the UN COP26 Climate Change Conference.
Its mission is to ensure that the UK academic sector plays our role in delivering a successful COP26, in order to deliver a zero-carbon, resilient world. We aim to do so by easing access to evidence and academic expertise for COP26 for government, NGOs, and other actors, and by taking action.
Visit the official COP26 Universities Network website for more information
Professor Judith Petts CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University, is one of four sector leaders heading up the Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education Leaders. Officially launched in November 2019, the Commission is a partnership between EAUC (the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges), the Association of Colleges, Guild HE and Universities UK. It enables universities and colleges to work together in an unprecedented way to tackle the climate crisis, and works with students, UK government, regulatory bodies and sector agencies. Professor Petts represents the University and also serves as the Universities UK Commissioner.
Find out more about our commitment to the national Climate CommissionProfessor Petts is chairing an upcoming Universities UK conference entitled Universities and the climate emergency: action following COP26. Judith chairs UUK’s climate and sustainability work, and the conference – covering topics ranging from internationalisation to climate literacy – takes place on 26 and 27 January.
Plymouth researchers, leaders in their fields, offer their expert perspectives on the transdisciplinary systems thinking approach that is vital to tackle the climate emergency. From marine litter to soil erosion, ocean acidification to offshore renewable energy, they provide evidence for global action.
We need a whole-systems approach
New research shows that since CCMAs were introduced in 2012, only 15% of coastal planning authorities in England have designated one
By analysing satellite imagery and rainfall data, researchers were able to establish a clear pattern between monsoon season and landsliding
Scientists from the University are part of a project deploying plastic pollution tracking devices into the ocean around Scotland
Researchers compiled a database of almost 13,000 recorded monsoon-triggered landslides spanning a period of almost 30 years
No New Worlds sends message to world leaders and delegates
"The important thing we need to do is value the ocean a lot more – it needs to be shouted from the rooftops... because it feels like it's hardly being mentioned."
The 2021 conference broke new ground but world leaders are still trying to solve climate change in the context of other priorities. Professor Ian Bailey assesses the opportunities lost and maximised at the conference and how the agreements reached might be translated into national policy actions.
In the wake of COP26, it is more evident than ever before that the world needs to take radical action to tackle the climate crisis.
But what further steps can universities take? How can they decarbonise their campuses in the short-term while building credible and ambitions plans to tackle Scope 3 emissions in the long-term? And how can they work with government effectively to ensure that the sector gets the support it needs to achieve this?
A two-day, online conference held 26-27 January 2022 will be exploring these issues in-depth. On day one Professor Petts, as Chair for the Climate Task and Finish Group, will give the welcome and opening address.
Read more about our work to change attitudes and actionsThe University - through its research and teaching - is pioneering new ways of thinking and learning about all aspects of sustainability, green technologies and climate change
