News
Schools build consensus for focus on social purpose
"If business schools do not adapt, they risk disruption. When Lombard Odier launched a partnership with Oxford university around sustainable finance, it was centred not on Saïd Business School but rather the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment."
Heatwave in Europe causes ski resorts to close
Parts of Europe are experiencing exceptionally warm temperatures this winter. Dr Radhika Khosla told channel 5 that "every heatwave occurring today has been made more intense and more likely because of climate change."
Planetary Justice: Climate liability and nature’s legal rights
Al Jazeera’s Earthrise programme explores planetary justice and climate liability, featuring interviews with Dr Thom Wetzer and Rupert Stuart-Smith.
Revisiting the enablers: the firms behind fossil fuel falsehoods
Dr Ben Franta discusses how PR and consultancy firms are helping fossil fuel companies delay the clean energy transition.
For 2023, Some B-School Predictions AND Resolutions
"We must practice what we preach in terms of cooperation ahead of competition, and seek out symbiotic relationships that create value for many," writes Dr Laurence Wainwright in a thought piece for Poets & Quants.
The world has enough gold, university researchers say
S&P Global reported on new research led by Stephen Lezak, which sets out the case for ending gold mining. "For coal, we had to essentially invent an entirely new suite of renewable energy technologies, which has been remarkably successful. For gold, all we have to do is say, 'We're going to stop putting the stuff in the bank vaults,'" comments Lezak.
Stop mining for new gold, say Smith School researchers
Researchers at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford have called for an end to gold mining in an academic paper published in Environmental Research Letters, because recycled gold would be sufficient for the limited essential services and products the metal provides.
Cold snaps can pose a range of challenges in terms of our mental health
In recent years a sizable body of data has emerged indicating that cold snaps can pose a range of challenges in terms of our mental health – especially for those with an underlying psychiatric disorder, writes Dr Laurence Wainwright.
Training 50,000 public servants with Apolitical and Bezos Earth Fund
This month saw the launch of the Government Climate Campus – an ambitious partnership to connect public servants with the tools and training they need to address the climate crisis. The Smith School is delighted to be a founding partner and contributing our expertise to supporting 50,000 public servants to cut emissions by 50% by 2030.
DPhil student Sophie Erfurth presents at UN Groundwater Summit
On 8 December, Sophie Erfurth, a DPhil student at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford presented at the Youth Forum event of the UN’s inaugural Groundwater Summit. Sophie conducts research within the School’s Water Programme, led by Professor Rob Hope.
What impact will planned new UK coal mine have on carbon emissions?
The UK government says a proposed new coal mine in Cumbria will have a "broadly neutral" effect on greenhouse gas emissions, but experts disagree. Dr Sugandha Srivastav commented: "Developing countries such as India will view this decision as extremely hypocritical, and this move will do a disservice to the UK’s history of pushing out coal from its power system."
Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet
How Alexis McGivern of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, is helping to change our world. "From an early age, she felt an urge to improve the world around her, right what she saw as wrong, and support others in any way she can."