News
Can carbon capture clean India's air?
India Today's explainer article on carbon capture features comment from Dr Sugandha Srivastav on whether the technology can help alleviate India's air pollution problems. “Fixing the air pollution problem requires implementing known solutions rather than innovations,” she said.
Pathways to successful conservation management in oil palm landscapes
A new study from researchers at the University of Oxford and University of York has revealed key challenges and solutions for protecting biodiversity within oil palm landscapes. The study was carried out under the SEnSOR programme, coordinated by Dr Jennifer Lucey from the University of Oxford.
Conservation programs must embrace causal evidence when evaluating impact
Tanya O'Garra, Senior Research Associate at the Oxford Smith School, writes in Monga Bay on the need for causal evidence to understand what really works in conservation programmes. "Most of us are familiar with the refrain that “correlation is not causation,” yet correlation remains seductive simply because it’s easier to observe that two things happen together, than to prove that one caused the other. We may observe that forests inside protected boundaries remain standing while surrounding forests disappear. But without ruling out alternative explanations — in this case, that remoteness, not protection, preserved those forests — we risk misinterpreting what drives conservation outcomes," she says.
Excessive reliance on CDR could breach legal guardrails and jeopardise net zero, warn Oxford law experts
A new interdisciplinary study led by University of Oxford researchers examines the international legal framework governing states’ reliance on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in meeting climate targets – and identifies a series of legal ‘guardrails’ designed to ensure that such reliance does not undermine efforts to limit global warming.
Mental health research for a world in climate crisis
Academics including Dr Laurence Wainwright discuss how the climate crisis is reshaping not only the physical world but also the psychological landscapes in which individuals and communities attempt to live, learn and adapt. "Effective action will require embedding climate–mental health into national adaptation planning, primary care guidelines and education systems. In doing so, an essential step is taken towards building emotionally, culturally and ecologically sustainable futures."
Why location matters as much as the scale for impact on nature: lessons from the paper industry
In our latest research published in Environmental Impact Assessment Review, we highlight the need for location-specific data to understand the impact of the pulp and paper industry on nature.
Boiling Britain: Number of 'uncomfortably hot' days in the UK is set to increase by 150% by 2050, study warns
The Daily Mail highlighted UK relevant findings from new research co-authored by Dr Radhika Khosla, including how the country is likely to experience a "whopping" 150% more uncomfortably hot days, if the world passes 2 degrees of warming.
Global population living with extreme heat to double by 2050 - Oxford study
A new University of Oxford study finds that almost half the world’s population (3.79 billion) will be living with extreme heat by 2050 if the world reaches 2.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels – a scenario that climate scientists see as increasingly likely.
Number of people living in extreme heat to double by 2050 if 2C rise occurs, study finds
The Guardian reported on new research led by Dr Jesus Lizana and co-authored by Dr Radhika Khosla, which predicts that 41% of the global population will be exposed to extreme heat by 2025. "No part of the world will be able to shy away from extreme heat. There is a lack of preparedness across nations," said Dr Khosla.
Ecosystem collapse recognised as a critical national security issue by UK government
The UK Government has just released a report that, if taken seriously, should transform how we think about climate, nature and security. The assessment, Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, is an official national security analysis commissioned by the government.
Why geospatial data is becoming the new bedrock of ESG intelligence
Business Reporter talks to Dr Amani Maalouf about how geospatial data is transforming ESG from self-reported claims into verifiable, investment-grade evidence. "The implications for risk management are profound. By overlaying satellite imagery with asset locations, supply-chain data and hazard models, geospatial tools can pinpoint which factories sit on floodplains, which suppliers are linked to deforestation and which neighbourhoods are exposed to extreme heat or air pollution," says Dr Maalouf.
Oxford Smith School supports Government of Zambia with new funding model for safe drinking water
The Government of the Republic of Zambia is rolling out a new Results-Based Contract (RBC) to ensure reliable drinking water in government schools and clinics. The RBC is based on the SafeManzi model, which was developed by Uptime Global in collaboration with the University of Oxford.