News
What role can the circular economy play in meeting the growing demand for critical minerals?
New research led by the Smith School’s Konstantin Born aimed at understanding the potential of recycling to fulfil the growing demand for copper finds that downstream circular economy strategies like recycling, although vitally important, will at most only be able to supply 50 % of the total copper demand by 2050.
“Not dead yet” - Smith School and INET experts identify interventions that could rescue 1.5°C
To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global heating to 1.5°C, global annual emissions will need to drop radically over the coming decades. Today, a new paper from climate economists at the University of Oxford says that this goal could still be within our reach.
Climate Plans That Rely Too Much on Carbon Removal Could Breach International Law
“There is no way to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees without removing some carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” said Dr Rupert Stuart-Smith, a professor of climate law at the University of Oxford and lead author of the paper. But, he said, climate plans that do too little to cut emissions in the short term and lean too heavily on carbon removal over the long term could breach international law.
Excessive state reliance on carbon dioxide removal is ‘likely inconsistent with international law,’ says Oxford research
In the run-up to COP28, new research from a team at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London warns that states which over-rely on future Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) to meet Paris Agreement targets could fall foul of international law.
Ramifications of Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle
Dr Laurence Wainwright comments on the appointment of Steve Barclay MP to the role of environment secretary in a letter to the Times' editor. "With a background of the City, Sandhurst, health, and EU negotiations, he is an eclectic and somewhat odd choice for the role, perhaps illustrating the lack of priority the government gives to the portfolio. Countries leading the charge on sustainability are increasingly giving environmental ministerial roles to those who have qualifications and experience in the field, rather than simply handing it out as a second-class role for someone who has been demoted."
It's time for bondholders to take their seat at the stewardship table
Environmentally and socially-oriented stewardship of portfolio companies has become a priority area, yet stewardship and engagement has long been perceived as the preserve of the company’s owners, shareholders, rather than the company’s principal funders, bondholders.
Solar’s forgotten kidnapping
Carbon Brief takes a look at Dr Sugandha Srivastav’s thought experiment, which asks how far solar energy could have come had it not been for the kidnapping of George Cove.
Experts warn of ‘respiratory health disaster’ as toxic air engulfs New Delhi
Heavy smog has led to increased hospital admissions, school closures and a suspension of construction work in New Delhi. Dr Sugandha Srivastav commented: "What is happening is a disaster in terms of respiratory health… we have a huge humanitarian problem on our hands."
The untold story of Canadian inventor George Cove, an early solar energy pioneer, with Dr. Sugandha Srivastav
PVBuzz conducted a video interview with Dr Sugandha Srivastav about her research on George Cove, a little-known solar inventor and entrepreneur who's 1909 kidnapping may have impacted the world's energy choices.
How Positive Climate Tipping Points Could Save Our Planet
Dr Sugandha Srivastav explains how humans are "famously bad at understanding exponential trends" in this article on positive tipping points - threshold passing events like renewable energy becoming cheaper than coal that can quickly change our world.
Seasonal affective disorder - or SAD - isn't just 'winter blues'
Dr Laurence Wainwright talked to Sky News about seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, including some of the common misconceptions. "People say just go off to southern Europe on holiday for a few days and you'll be right as rain, but that's not the case with mental illness. This is a serious medical condition," he said.
How is AI being used at Oxford?
Smith School researchers are featured in this round up of Oxford experts applying AI to society's greatest challenges. From analysing corporate net zero goals to influencing sustainable finance, find out more about how we are harnessing artificial intelligence in our work.