About us
We enable collaboration across the UK research and higher education community to collectively advance ambitious, evidence-based action on climate change
Our Story
We were founded in 2019 as the COP26 Universities Network with a goal to ensure the academic sector played its role in delivering a successful UN COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. We carried out an extensive work programme in the lead up to the conference to create momentum, engage public and business audiences, and provide support to the UK Government.
We became the UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN) in March 2022 and are continuing our work to contribute to the creation of a resilient, net zero world. Our Secretariat is based at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and Environment at Imperial College London. Our membership includes academics and professional services staff from over 95 UK universities and research centres.
Our mission
Our mission is to ensure the UK research and higher education community effectively leverages its expertise and resources to collectively advance ambitious, evidence-based action on climate change.
To realise this, we aim to:
1. Develop thought leadership on opportunities for action on climate as well as enable and spearhead new ways for universities to come together to advance solutions to climate change
2. Raise the profile and maximise impact of evidence and expertise across the climate research community to advance climate action in the UK and internationally, including through joint strategic engagement and partnerships with external stakeholders
3. Build a research and higher education community that is engaged and has capacity for taking forward ambitious action on climate
What we offer
Opportunities to contribute to joint strategic initiatives across our activity areas aimed at advancing the impact of climate expertise across the UK
A curated set of opportunities and information to advance yours and your institutions’ climate engagement, including through:
- Knowledge sharing, capacity building and disseminating opportunities to advance UK university representation at COPs
- Information to assist in net zero and resilience goals at your institution
- Engagement opportunities with policy makers and other stakeholders
Participation in monthly meetings with guest speakers from across policy, innovation, civil society and other, to discuss progress on climate action and explore opportunities for further engagement across the research and higher education community
Opportunity to engage with a vibrant and diverse network of researchers and professional staff working across a wide range of climate related issues
Meet our co-chair
Alyssa Gilbert
Grantham Institute - Imperial College London
Alyssa is Director of Innovation at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. She is also Director of Undaunted – a partnership between Imperial and the Royal Institution. Her work supports the development and scale up of innovative climate solutions.
Prior to joining the Grantham Institute, she worked at a specialist energy and climate consultancy for nearly 12 years on a range of climate change mitigation and adaptation topics. She has worked with the UK and many other national governments and at the international level. She has also been a member of the Natural Environment Council’s Advisory Network.
Latest news
Blog: Academia-policy partnerships to combat climate crisis
In this blog, Yasemin Didem Aktas, Associate Professor of Applied Materials and Structures at University College London, reflects on her recent secondment at the Government Office for Science and the value of academia-policy partnership. Read more
UUCN panel event for London Climate Action Week
The UUCN is hosting a panel event at London Climate Action Week 2024! Join us on Tuesday 25 June, 4:00 - 5:30pm at the Royal Institution. As a hub for knowledge, training, and innovation, the ... Read more
Climate innovation: what role can universities play?
Ahead of Innovation Zero, UUCN co-chair Alyssa Gilbert shares her perspective on the importance of universities in climate innovation. Read more