News
Oxford Net Zero and Futerra launch new “Spheres of Influence” white paper at Climate Week NYC
At Climate Week NYC, Oxford Net Zero and the sustainability agency Futerra launched a white paper on the Spheres of Influence – a new framework for incentivising corporate climate action.
Oxford DPhil students win Net-Zero Building Design Competition
A team of Oxford DPhil students, including Nethmi Jayaratne Kariyawasam from the Oxford Smith School, jointly won First Prize in the ASHRAE Region XIV Net-Zero Building Design Competition 2025 on Net Zero Data Centres.
Climate change is responsible for 1,683 heat-related deaths in the canton of Zurich
Coverage of Dr Rupert Stuart-Smith's latest research in Berner Zeitung, one of Switzerland's largest daily newspapers. According to the study, almost 1,700 peopled died from heat-related deaths caused by climate change in the Swiss canton of Zurich between 1969 and 2018.
Study finds 1,700 climate change related deaths in a single European city-region
1,700 peopled died from heat-related deaths caused by climate change in one Northern European city-region between 1969 and 2018 according to a new Oxford Smith School study. Those 1,700 deaths account for almost one third of all heat-related deaths in the time period.
Underestimating support for climate action limits political decision making, study says
Politicians and policymakers significantly underestimate the public’s willingness to contribute to solving climate change, according to new research co-authored by Dr Stefania Innocenti. The research featured in the The Guardian’s 89% series, which is uncovering stories on the strength of public support for climate action.
Fashioning a sustainable future: Smith School MSc students drive impactful research with DIRT Charity
Megan and Clara students from our MSc SEE, explore how the research assistant position with DIRT Charity offered a valuable avenue to explore the connection between sustainable fashion and agriculture.
Deal On 'Plastic Crisis' At Risk
Talks on the UN plastics treaty have stalled in Geneva as more than 70 countries rejected the Chair's text. Alexis McGivern, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Oxford Net Zero, spoke to BBC Breakfast about the treaty and the problem of plastics.
Study: Policymakers underestimate public support for climate action
New research from the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford suggests politicians are consistently underestimating levels of public support for climate policies. Dr Stefania Innocenti commented: "While more research is needed before we can say for sure why policymakers underestimate the public on climate change by such a high degree, our results suggest the presence of misperceptions."
Policymakers underestimate public support for climate action
New Oxford Smith School research finds that policymakers, politicians and other policy officials greatly underestimate the public’s willingness to contribute to climate action.
World court: states have climate obligations under international law
Countries impacted most by the effects of climate change can claim compensation from other countries responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice. “This advisory opinion is in line with what has been a secular trend in climate litigation towards higher levels of state and corporate accountability,” Dr Thom Wetzer told Pinsent Masons. “In this opinion, the International Court of Justice confirmed that 1.5C is the legally binding temperature target under the Paris Agreement and international law. This calls for urgent action, and the court explicitly noted that states are also responsible for the actions of the private sector. As a result, we should expect renewed legal pressure on states to regulate corporate activities that contribute to climate change. Recognising that trend and the implications for business models is a key part of prudent risk management.”
As extreme heat becomes the new normal, how will it affect a location’s capacity to attract investment?
Investment Monitor looks into the impact of extreme heat on investment decisions, with expert comment from Dr Radhika Khosla. "Increasing heat impacts across the world have raised the demand for cooling, leading to increased energy usage," she said.
Too Little, Too Late? Why India Must Fast-Track Its Net Zero Pledge
Outlook Planet warns that India's unambitious climate goals could see the country fall behind in the global clean energy race. Dr Sugandha Srivastav commented: "We give coal-fired power plants generous long-term contracts that insulate them from competition created by cheaper solar. We have an institutional structure that is at the moment focused on supporting incumbent polluting technology."