Climate research universities unite to accelerate action
International Universities Climate Alliance
Utrecht University is one of the members of the newly founded International Universities Climate Alliance. The Alliance has been established to help communicate research insights on the most effective means to meet the unprecedented global challenge of climate change.
Utrecht is one of forty of the world’s leading climate research universities that have joined the Alliance to date. The universities are to work together to identify the most effective ways to communicate research-based facts related to climate change to the public. They will engage in work across climate change science, impact, mitigation strategies and adaptation.
Accelerating climate action
The Climate Alliance functions as a global network of universities, united by their dedication to producing critical climate research. The Alliance benefits from a multi-disciplinary research focus around the most important research themes to enable greater engagement with policymakers, educators and business leaders looking to apply the latest research findings to accelerate climate action.
Forefront of the international conversation
UNSW Sydney is facilitating the establishment of the Climate Alliance in its first year. UNSW Sydney’s President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian Jacobs initiated the creation of the Climate Alliance because of the vital role universities play in advancing the science and solutions in this field. “This new Alliance will be at the forefront of the international conversation around addressing climate change,” said Jacobs.
Pressing and ongoing need
Notwithstanding current urgencies around the coronavirus pandemic, the members decided not to delay formation of the Alliance due to the pressing and ongoing need to accelerate climate action.
Accelerating the sustainability transformation
Prof Maarten Hajer, Scientific Director of Utrecht University’s strategic theme Pathways to Sustainability, states that this Alliance is a clear step in the right direction. “Our scientific research time and again finds that we need to start to cut back on our CO2 emissions¸ radically and quickly. Finding the much-needed pathways to accelerate the sustainability transformation requires a shift in performances, new ways of acting, new alliances. I hope this new global Alliance will contribute to exactly this by strengthen the communication of research findings between Utrecht and its international allies.”
Prof Annetje Ottow, Vice-President of Utrecht University, adds: “Climate and sustainability research is a core theme of Utrecht University and we are working on solutions for climate change and biodiversity loss. We want all students to come in contact with sustainability themes, to a raise awareness and educate them in bringing future solutions. Working together on the global level is crucial, we are therefore glad that we can contribute to this Climate Alliance.”