News
Gold mining is one of the world’s most destructive and unnecessary industries – here’s how to end it
Stephen Lezak makes the case for ending gold mining in The Conversation. "The world is filled with difficult sustainability trade-offs. Gold mining is not one of them. Drawing down this industry stands out as a relatively easy way to reduce humanity’s footprint on a fragile planet."
Applications open for Oxford Sustainable Finance Group Executive Education Programmes
The Oxford Sustainable Finance Group (OxSFG) is now considering applications for three open-enrolment executive education programmes: the Sustainable Finance Executive Programme, Climate-related Financial Risk Programme, and the Asset Owner Sustainability Leadership Programme.
Windfall taxes are not the only option for fossil fuel profits
The Financial Times explores the concept of 'carbon takeback,' an idea spearheaded by Professor Myles Allen of Oxford Net Zero.
Researchers advise policy makers on how to enable energy access for development in Africa
Dr Aoife Brophy and Dr Philip Trotter told the Guardian Nigeria that unless policymakers encourage the right kinds of business models to flourish, private sector growth will not necessarily translate into progress for sustainable and low-carbon development.
Trees could cut urban heatwave mortality by a third: study
Planting more trees in urban areas to lower summertime temperatures could decrease deaths directly linked to hot weather and heatwaves by a third, according to new research. Dr Laurence Wainwright told France24 that "urban tree planting -– on the right scale, in the right places, and under certain other conditions -– likely leads to a modest-yet-real reduction in heat-related deaths in many urban areas."
Want to attend COP28? Here are my five tips to make the most of it
In November last year I attended COP27, my second COP. It was a rollercoaster of talks, meetings, and long food queues. But what actually happens at a COP, and what advice would I give to someone going for the first time?
Demand for ESG expertise reveals ‘competence greenwashing’ risk
The recruitment drive for ESG experts has highlighted concerns about candidates misrepresenting their competence and experience in the field. Smith School Business Fellow Ranjita Rajan speaks to FT Sustainable Views about the need for transparency, collaboration and continuous learning. Climate change risk is a vast and scientifically complex area, so “how can we assume that a board member with an ESG responsibility is a climate change risk expert? It's important to strike a balance between calling out greenwashing, while acknowledging that organisations, boards and individuals need the space to get things wrong, learn, and do better."
Net zero: finance ministries must step up and take lead, states Oxford report
A new joint report from the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford and the Swedish Energy Agency highlights the critical role that finance ministries must play in the low-carbon energy transition and outlines 10 recommendations for how they can make it faster and fairer.
Countries need to pull more carbon dioxide out of the air
The Economist Daily Chart featured new research on the global state of carbon dioxide removal, led by Dr Steve Smith along with Oxford Smith School authors Carter Powis, Emily Cox and José Luis Reséndiz.
New report reveals ‘large gap’ in CO2 removal needed to limit global warming
Led by Dr Steve Smith, an international team of authors including Oxford Smith School researchers Dr Emily Cox, José Luis Reséndiz and Carter Powis, have published the first report on the global state of carbon dioxide removal.
University of Oxford launches new sustainability leadership course for pension funds
The Oxford Sustainable Finance Group at the University of Oxford is launching a new open-enrolment executive education programme to develop sustainability leadership in pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, and other institutional owners of assets.
Global carbon dioxide removal
Dr Steve Smith joined BBC News to discuss the findings of a new report which, for the first time, provided a comprehensive assessment of the current state of global Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).