Our work
We have several ongoing strands of work, coordinated by a small steering committee.
Through our activities, we aim to showcase the UK’s efforts on climate change to the international community, demonstrate the power of UK universities and world-leading science in innovation in contributing to the changes necessary, and exemplify how UK universities can work together on this important shared priority.
What we do
Sharing knowledge
Publish briefing papers on key climate change topics to inform policymaking and international climate negotiations, including COP26 and COP27.
Hold roundtables with government and other stakeholders to highlight the findings of our briefing notes
Communications and media
Promote our briefing notes and other material to key audiences
Provide access to academic experts for media from local to international level, and others through the database on our website
Engage with the media (TV, radio, social media, newspapers and magazines)
Partnerships and engagement
Use our international reach (alumni, collaborators, institutional links) to support efforts overseas (working with the FCDO and British Council).
Coordinate with the work of complementary partners (e.g. the Academies and learned bodies)
Work closely with practitioners (e.g. in the adaptation space) to share lessons at the boundary of academic expertise and practice
Education and skills
Work with education sector representatives, industry bodies, civil society organisation and government representatives to develop a long-term perspective on skills for a net zero, resilient UK, and contribute actively to the role of the higher education sector in that journey
Innovation
Promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and showcase start-ups in the climate change space
Develop innovative opportunities to engage the broader UK public in climate solutions
Net zero universities
Take action on our own campuses to move towards net zero
Use our educational remit to develop bespoke and relevant educational offerings to our students
Contribute to discussions about education and skills to tackle the climate challenge
Promote climate change and climate change–related science and research on the academic curriculum
Cities level engagement
Use our position as anchor institutions in our cities to engage and mobilise key city actors, stakeholders, and communities in delivering net zero emissions targets
Public engagement
Share best practice with the academic community on public engagement on climate change
Coordinate, share, and instigate talks, panel meetings and events, including public events on our campuses.
Expert subgroups
Identify subgroups of expertise to provide knowledge support for government on targeted scientific themes
Briefings
We coordinate and publish briefing papers to share evidence on key climate change topics, written by more than 100 authors from across our member universities.
Case studies
We highlight case studies of best practice in climate action from our member universities.
Our members
We are a group of over 85 UK universities and research centres.
Latest news
Just launched – ActNowFilm: young people in conversation with climate experts
Young people from across the world can now apply to feature in ActNowFilm: young people in conversation with climate experts – a new youth voices film produced by the University of Bath ... Read more
Reflections on COP27: How can we build better networks among universities?
Steve Davison, UUCN International Lead, attended COP27 this past November where he co-convened two workshops for senior higher education representatives from around the world to discuss how we ... Read more
Joint blog with RUS: The role of universities in tackling the climate crisis
Earlier this month at COP27, the Italian University Network for Sustainable Development (RUS) and the UUCN came together to deliver a pavilion event focused on the role of universities in ... Read more