News
Oxford University academics call for ambitious actions at UN Climate Change Conference COP29
As COP29 kicks off in Baku, Oxford Smith School academics will be on the ground contributing their insights and expertise to help ensure the negotiations are grounded in the latest science and research.
Why the world needs a carbon removal budget, not just a carbon budget
Ben Caldecott and Injy Johnstone outline the concept of a global 'carbon removal budget' in this guest post for the World Economic Forum.
Energy transition well underway despite interest rate setbacks
A new report from the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group investigates the impact of rising interest rates on renewable energy and concludes that the energy transition continues at pace.
EU-Klimadienst sieht Erderwärmung schon 2024 über 1,5 Grad
This year looks set to be the warmest on record, according to the Copernicus Institute. Dr Steve Smith explained that, while the 1.5 degree target has significant symbolic value, it is not clearly defined.
Climate policy monitor reveals net zero regulations surge globally but implementation gap remains
A new study, developed through pro-bono partnerships with 48 leading law firms around the world, provides the most detailed view yet of how key economic rules are aligning – or not – to climate goals.
Labour has bet big on green industrial policy. But there may be there cheaper ways to net zero
Professor Sam Fankhauser and Anupama Sen analysed the U.K. Government's budget for The Conversation. "By relaxing the rules, chancellor Rachel Reeves has opened the door for additional capital spending, much of which has been earmarked for low-carbon investment," they wrote.
US election: Trump is threatening to turn back the tide on America’s environmental laws and reverse climate progress
"The policy proposals outlined by Donald Trump and the thinktanks advising his campaign would turn back the tide on America’s bedrock environmental laws," warns Stephen Lezak in an article for The Conversation.
Alarm grows over ‘disturbing’ lack of progress to save nature at Cop16
The Guardian spoke to experts about reported slow progress towards protecting biodiversity among participant nations of COP16. Professor Nathalie Seddon commented: "The biodiversity goals’ 2030 deadline exists for a reason: biodiverse, resilient ecosystems are the foundation of our economies and wellbeing. A bad outcome here isn’t just bad news for wildlife; it undermines food security, water quality, disaster resilience and economic stability. It worsens climate impacts of record-breaking heat, wildfires, floods and droughts."
Politicians not ambitious enough to save nature, say scientists
Professor Nathalie Seddon told the BBC that biodiversity still takes a back seat to climate action, "even though the science speaks strongly to the need for fully coordinated approaches."
‘Good news for net-zero investment’: Green economy leaders react to Reeves’ 2024 Budget
Dr Anupama Sen described the UK Government's Budget as good news for net zero investment. "The shift in rules explicitly enables more public capital investment which will be crucial to funding or catalysing funding for green infrastructure," she said.
Work with nature to unlock economic prosperity, says major Oxford study
A comprehensive review of the economic impacts of nature-based solutions, co-authored by Oxford Smith School academics, concludes they can unlock prosperity by boosting local economies, increasing agricultural productivity and creating jobs.
Serviced emissions: Placing professional services at the heart of Net Zero
Alexis McGivern and Ranjita Rajan, Co-Chairs of the UN Race to Zero Working Group on Serviced Emissions, launched a new report at New York Climate Week 2024 exploring how professional service providers such as PR agencies and consultancies should be held accountable for their 'serviced' emissions.