Cop 27 – the need for progress

In answering that, I am an optimist. Compared to where we were in the mid 1990s, the issue of the climate is something that all of us are acutely aware of and most take seriously. Of course, the fact that we are personally experiencing the dangerous effects of climate change is nothing to be celebrated.

However, there is a ever growing movement of organisations and individuals all committed to finding solutions to the present challenges. Discussions at the policy level, such as those at COP, are of course vital, but I am encouraged by the commitment and passion for change from everyday people.

This is one of the themes of a new book by colleague Steffen Böhm and Annika Skoglund – Climate Activism: How Communities Take Renewable Energy Actions Across Business and Society. The book looks at examples of climate activism in different organisational settings and is an encouraging read of the commitment of people around the world.

A number of colleagues are at COP 27 and research from Exeter has contributed to key reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As a research and educational institution we have a vital role to play and finding solutions to the climate crisis is a central mission for the whole of the University of Exeter. It is an immense source of pride that we have over 1,000 researchers and educational staff working on green issues. A summary of our work can be found on the Green Futures website.

Much of our work is interdisciplinary bringing together colleagues from across the university from our three areas of the Environment, Science and Economy; Health and Life Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences. I am a great believer that the best solutions tend to come from different disciplines and approaches working together.

This is particularly true in our executive education activities and our partnerships with organisations. We have collaborated with information technology company Capgemini to run a Sustainability Solutions Leadership Development Programme for its consultants. Recently, we partnered with JO Hambro Capital Management to work together on new research and executive education to enhance understanding of how global systems risks relate to climate change and sustainability and can be integrated into company boardrooms.

One of the key challenges for Cop 27 is biodiversity loss. It is one of the most critical issues we are facing and it is a central focus of colleague Ben Groom, the Dragon Capital Chair in Biodiversity Economics.

Ben and team have just been awarded a grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in this area. The research project looks at the concept of ‘additionality’ – which is that any intervention, whether an area being protected, a performance-related payment or a biodiversity law, must provide additional biodiversity to what otherwise would have happened, and avoid pushing harmful activities elsewhere.

Ben’s work is a powerful reminder that in fighting biodiversity loss and climate change there are unavoidable impacts and trade-offs. We need to better understand these and how they affect different groups and stakeholders around the world.

Let us see what comes out of Cop 27. My hope is that we look back in 30 years time that it was now that the start of major progress was made in the fight against climate change. At Exeter, we are committed to this and it is a fight we cannot lose.