News
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.
The narrowing legal operating space for climate action
Buttressed by scientific developments, law is catching up with corporate and state climate inaction and a new era of accountability may follow, write Dr Rupert Stuart-Smith and Dr Thom Wetzer in the BMJ.
"The misalignment of state and corporate action with their legal obligations means that in the aggregate, companies and states are breaching their legal duties. It is unpredictable as to who will be held responsible, but recent court decisions suggest that such liability may be just around the corner."
Why Princess Theodora of Liechtenstein enrolled on the Oxford Smith School MSc
H.S.H. Princess Theodora of Liechtenstein’s passion for nature and sustainability began at a young age. Now, she has rolled on the Oxford Smith School’s MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment, one of the University’s most applied to master’s programmes per place.
Emissions Are Still Rising. That Doesn’t Mean We’re Failing
Bloomberg’s Lara Williams sets out the significant impact the Paris Agreement has had on innovation, demand for renewables and global emissions, with comment from Professor Cameron Hepburn.
Mark Carney’s journey from climate ‘visionary’ to pipeline promoter
"The stress testing was an important initiative that was widely copied in other countries, said University of Oxford’s Ben Caldecott, director of the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group."