Policy engagement opportunities
COP26 was hosted in Glasgow in November 2021. Researchers, academics and DPhil students from the University of Oxford could access opportunities to engage with different aspects of COP26, and provide expertise to policymakers and other stakeholders. You can explore a range of post-COP26 opportunities below:
Contribute to government consultations and parliamentary inquiries:
UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment 4 (OESEA4)
UK government consultation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of a draft plan/programme for further leasing for renewable energy (offshore wind, wave and tidal technologies), further licensing for offshore oil and gas exploration and production, and further leasing/licensing for hydrocarbon gas storage and unloading, carbon dioxide transportation and storage, and the offshore production and transport of hydrogen. The renewable energy elements of the draft plan/programme cover parts of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone and the territorial waters of England and Wales; for hydrocarbon gas and carbon dioxide storage it applies to UK waters (relevant territorial waters and the UK Exclusive Economic Zone); and for hydrocarbon exploration and production it applies to all UK waters. The SEA Environmental Report is being subject to consultation with the relevant consultation bodies and the public.
Deadline: 17:00 BST, 27 May 2022Defence and climate change
UK Parliament inquiry | Defence Committee, House of Commons
The Defence Committee has today launched an inquiry on Defence and Climate Change, covering both the global consequences of climate change on UK defence and the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) contribution to reducing carbon emissions. In particular, the Committee welcomes evidence submissions on: What needs to be done to achieve the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy’s number one international priority of meeting climate change and biodiversity loss commitments over the next decade? What will be the impacts of climate change on future conflict and how are UK Armed Forces adapting to them? Are UK Armed Forces prepared for the probable increase in requests for Military Aid to the Civil Authorities tasks as a result of more extreme weather conditions in the UK, and the increased risk of flooding and rising sea levels? With defence alone accounting for half of central government’s greenhouse gas emissions, what should be the MoD’s contribution towards achieving the UK’s net zero target by 2050?
Deadline: 24 June 2022Exemptions to 2035 phase-out date for the sale of new non-zero emission HGVs 26 tonnes and under
UK government consultation | Department for Transport
The Department for Transport is seeking evidence on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) or HGV use cases that could justify being exempt from the 2035 phase out date for the sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs 26 tonnes and under. These vehicles may need until 2040 to transition to zero emission technologies. For example they may: carry heavy or abnormal loads; have an additional power draw; spend most of their time operating in specialist or remote areas; or be used in long-haul applications. This call for evidence is published alongside the outcome of the consultation on when to phase out the sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs. See also the press notice announcing the phase-out dates for the sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs.
Deadline: 23:45 BST, 22 July 2022Update to Green Finance Strategy: call for evidence
UK government consultation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and HM Treasury
The 2019 Green Finance Strategy set out a comprehensive approach to greening financial systems, mobilising finance for clean and resilient growth, and capturing the resulting opportunities for the UK. This consultation seeks views and evidence from stakeholders to support the government in developing an update to the Green Finance Strategy, planned for publication in late 2022. The updated Green Finance Strategy will take stock of progress so far and set out how the UK can better ensure the financial services industry is supporting the UK’s energy security, climate and environmental objectives.
Deadline: 23:45 BST, 22 June 2022Global Convening Programmes
The British Academy is inviting proposals for major new three-year programmes of internationally convened researchers. Awards will be for around £500,000 per annum each. The programme aims to provide significant opportunities for researchers in the UK and internationally across the humanities and social sciences globally to network, open new fields of inquiry, harness research to address these challenges aiming to catalyse change in industry, practice, policy and society, and support collaborative exploration across disciplines and borders. Applications must be related to the themes of ‘Just Transitions’, ‘What is a good city?’ and ‘Global (Dis)Order’, as outlined in the Programme’s webpage. The Academy will also provide further competitive funding biannually for knowledge translation grants during the course of the award to enable members of the programme to work with a range of counterparts beyond the programmes on matters related to industry, policy, practice and society.
Deadline: 17:00 BST, 6 July 2022Click here >> for further opportunities for UK policy engagement on environment and energy.
Sign up to be contacted for expertise:
Expert database for the media: The University of Glasgow is hosting the COP26 Consortium of Universities expert profiles. Researchers should complete and submit the online to be contacted by the media for expert comment and input on research and issues relating to COP26.
Funding opportunities
Research & Public Policy Partnership Scheme
In collaboration with the UK Civil Service Policy Profession, the University is offering awards of up to £5,000 to support partnerships between researchers at Oxford and policymakers (in or outside the UK) that will enable partners to improve public policy responses to COVID-19 – mitigating impact, supporting recovery, or both – through the sharing of evidence, experience and expertise.
Deadlines: tbc
