This blog is by Simon Goldsmith, Head of Strategic Sustainability at the University of Greenwich and chair of London Higher’s Sustainability Network, and Anna Maxfield, Policy and Networks Officer at London Higher
London universities are playing a pivotal role in developing our collective understanding of the climate crisis and the actions that need to be taken now, by governments, by organisations and by individuals here in the capital and across the globe.
Take the University of Reading’s Climate Stripes, which illustrates the rapid warming trends of cities, countries and regions around the world. In London’s case, the city will experience an increase of 2.7 degrees Celsius in mean summer temperatures by the 2050s, creating significant socio-economic and ecological challenges.
Institutions such as LSE’s Grantham Institute, the University of East London’s Sustainability Research Institute and the University of Greenwich ‘s Natural Resources Institute are at the forefront of research and policy innovation. Each specialises in a different area of sustainability advancement: clean energy technologies, nature-based infrastructure and the development of equitable food systems, respectively.
Our institutions are not only helping us more effectively adapt and mitigate the serious challenges we face, but they are equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to support the green transition in London and elsewhere. As set out in the London Growth Plan, this is likely to include sectors such as green finance, frontier innovation in areas like sustainable materials and energy sources and applied innovation like climate tech, proptech and urban mobility.
Skills, especially those that support the green transition, are identified in the London Growth Plan. The West London Green Skills Hub, in partnership with the University of Westminster, Brunel University London and Middlesex University London, aims to support employers and jobseekers by providing a platform with job adverts that specifically support a net-zero transition.
London’s university buildings and campuses are rapidly decarbonising, eliminating the burning of fossil fuels to heat buildings and power vehicles. Campuses are implementing climate positive actions, through habitat restoration, sustainable transportation and applying circular economy thinking. Free campus shuttle buses are provided by the University of West London, Loughborough University London and the University of Greenwich to promote shared transport options, emitting less carbon dioxide per individual per journey.
Both King’s College London and the University of Roehampton London are recognising the importance of pollinators by creating bee and bug hotels and having a No-Mow May. University College London’s Circular Economy Lab conducts research into sustainable manufacturing and material reuse and recycling, whilst their campus-wide circular economy campaign ‘The Loop’, has successfully recycled 56% of waste, with everything not recycled being recovered for energy.
The climate crisis is already impacting how universities think, teach and act. It is an issue the sector is uniquely placed to contribute to through the graduates, the research and innovation and the civic impact it produces.
Individually our universities are global leaders, collectively our institutions make London the global powerhouse for climate thinking, teaching, innovation, leadership and action.
London’s higher education institutions have even more to offer policymakers, leaders and others wanting to tackle the causes of climate change and ensure that we can all adopt to a changing climate.
As part of London Climate Action Week and Net Zero Week, London’s universities must connect, collaborate, and co-create solutions to deliver a successful and inclusive net zero transition. The challenge is immense, but so is the potential—when we act together, with purpose.
