Climate Exp0, 17-21 May 2021 – the COP26 Universities Network’s first virtual conference
09 February 2021
The COP26 Universities Network is pleased to announce Climate Exp0 taking place 17-21 May 2021. Climate Exp0 will showcase the latest thinking and most relevant international research in the run-up to COP26 around five key themes: Green Recovery; Nature-based Solutions; Mitigation Solutions; Adaptation & Resilience; and Finance.
Online, free, and open to all, it’s an opportunity to connect policymakers, academics and students across the world, and harness the power of virtual collaboration to help deliver a zero-carbon, resilient world.
The Call for Submissions is now open.
Deadline: 26 February 2021
Oxford Net Zero: Research Fellowships, Research Associates and Programme Manager
03 February 2021
We invite you to apply for one of several new roles as part of the new Oxford Net Zero Initiative. The University is investing £2.2m in this transformative new programme, bringing together its expertise across Geography, Physics, Economics, Biology, Law, Anthropology and Earth Sciences to address the critical issue of how the world can reach net zero emissions. We are looking to appoint four Net Zero Fellows, a Programme Manager and two additional research posts >>
Get on your bike: Active transport makes a significant impact on carbon emissions
03 February 2021
Cycling, e-biking or walking can help tackle the climate crisis – even if you swap the car for active transport just one day a week – according to a new study led by researchers from the University of Oxford’s Transport Studies Unit. Published in the journal Global Environmental Change, this is the first study of the carbon-reducing impact of city-based lifestyle changes and it reveals that increases in active mobility significantly lower carbon footprints, even in urban European contexts with a high incidence of walking and cycling.
Universities consider carbon offsetting in move to net-zero
28 January 2021
A new briefing published today by academic experts from Oxford and other UK universities sets out robust principles for use of carbon offsets within strategies to achieve net zero emissions.
Developed with the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), the briefing provides guidance to support universities and colleges in their net zero strategies, and features expert insights from Myles Allen and Eli Mitchell-Larson. This latest briefing is one in a series by the COP26 Universities Network, and follows on from the Green Recovery briefing in 2020.
Read the briefing: ‘How can carbon offsetting help UK Further and Higher Education Institutions achieve net-zero emissions? >>>
Africa’s electricity unlikely to go green this decade
13 January 2021
A new study led by researchers at Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment predicts that electricity generation across Africa will double by 2030, with fossil fuels dominating the energy mix. This could put climate change targets at risk.
Oxford Net Zero launches to tackle global carbon emissions
17 November 2020
The Oxford Net Zero initiative, launched this week, brings together leading academics from across the University, including Geography, Physics, Economics, Biology, Law and Earth Sciences. It will focus on the long-term questions necessary to achieve equitable, science-based solutions to reach global ‘net zero’ emissions.
Oxford co-hosts UN ‘Race to Zero’ campaign dialogues
17 November 2020
Between 9-19 November, the University of Oxford is hosting a series of events convened by the UNFCCC focusing on the action and transformation underway across ten key sectors in global efforts towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. Events include:
11 November: Youth Set the Agenda on the Future of Fuel and Transport in the Global Race to Zero
17 November: Youth Set the Agenda on the Future of Food and Agriculture in the Race to Zero
19 November: Youth Summarize the Dialogues and Perspectives
Cooling: the hidden threat to climate change and sustainable development
21 October 2020
As climate change triggers increasingly severe heatwaves around the world, Dr Radhika Khosla guest blogs for Carbon Brief on the accompanying global rise in cooling demand; a ‘critical blind spot’ in the context of sustainable development, according to a new study published in Nature Sustainability. In an interview with Oxford University, the senior researcher at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and principal investigator of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Cooling also discusses the potentially deadly ‘feedback loop’ risked by inaction.
Dr Radhika Khosla’s interview on ox.ac.uk >>
Cooling for sustainable development in Nature Sustainability >>
Find out more about the COP26 Universities Network
16 October 2020
Oxford University is one of over 40 members of the COP26 Universities Network, working together to raise ambition for tangible outcomes from COP26. The Network now has a website where you will be able to read its topical briefing papers, learn about upcoming activities and find out more >>
Oxford scientist joins launch of TED Countdown: the global climate initiative
6 October 2020
Professor Myles Allen is among over 50 world-renowned speakers at the global launch of TED Countdown on Saturday 10 October: a global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. Speaking on the subject of ‘Transformation’ with fellow scientists and activists, Myles will discuss how and where energy, transportation, and industry systems are transforming to meet the challenges of the climate crisis, as well as powerful ideas to accelerate this transformation.
Tune in to the Countdown global launch on YouTube on 10 October.
Join “code-a-thon” for global study of Net Zero targets, 30 September
18 September 2020
Oxford researchers, in collaboration with the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, are carrying out the largest assessment of net zero targets yet undertaken. We want you to be a part of it. Join us on September 30th for a day-long, online “code-a-thon” in which we’ll collect information on the details of the 1000s of net zero targets we see around the world. No prior knowledge or skill-set is needed; you’ll be trained in our data collection methodology. Please sign-up here.
Recruiting part-time research coordinator for COP26 Fellowship
18 September 2020
The Blavatnik School of Government seeks to recruit a Research Coordinator for the Global Economic Governance Programme. In the lead-up to the UN climate conference in Glasgow next year, the post holder will support Dr Thomas Hale, Associate Professor, in his role as COP26 Fellow on a project entitled, ““From “Groundswell” to “All of Society”: How local governments, business, and civil society can contribute to the implementation phase of the Paris Agreement.”
This post would be an excellent opportunity for a current research student or recent graduate. Offered on a variable hours basis (likely 5-10 hours per week) the position is fixed-term until December 2021. For further details, please see the full job description.
The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon (UK time) on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.
The first endowed professorship of sustainable finance at Oxford
10 September 2020
Oxford University and Lombard Odier launch a new multi-year strategic partnership on Sustainable Investment creating the first endowed professorship of sustainable finance at any major global research university. Dr Ben Caldecott has been appointed the first holder of the post and will become the Lombard Odier Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow of Sustainable Finance at the University of Oxford, based at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment within the School of Geography and the Environment.
Tom Hale appointed one of the four COP26 Fellows
28 July 2020
Tom Hale has been appointed one of the four Fellows, out of a field of over 120 applicants. He will be focussing on how local governments, business, and civil society can contribute to implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Oxford hosts online Net Zero Home School
22-26 June 2020
Marking the first anniversary of the UK passing its Net Zero Emissions law, the Oxford Climate Society and Oxford Climate Research Network hosted five webinars to empower the next generation with an understanding of what Net Zero means and what it takes to achieve.
Click here for further details on the Net Zero Home School
Click here for recordings of the webinars on the Oxford Climate Society’s YouTube channel
Oxford experts define the starting line for the UNFCCC’s ‘Race to Zero’
June 2020
A group of Oxford researchers led by Professor Tom Hale has provided the guidance for participation in the UNFCCC’s new ‘Race to Zero’ Campaign. The Campaign mobilizes a coalition of leading net zero initiatives representing cities, regions, businesses, investors and universities. At the request of the High-Level Champions for Climate Action – Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz – the Oxford team defined a ‘starting line’ of substantive criteria to ensure that initiatives are ambitious and robust.
Click here for further details on the Race to Zero campaign
Click here for an interview with Professor Hale on the ‘Race to Zero’ (Spanish)
