Climate Commission Updates

The Climate Commission for UK College and University Students and Leaders was launched in November 2019 with the aim to produce a clear, consistent and cohesive response to the Climate Emergency. The short term Climate Commission will develop an Action Plan in response to the government’s stated climate emergency and draw together a strategic sector-wide approach to the Climate Framework by the end of 2020. 

On this page, you can find regular updates on the Commission's work. Contact [email protected] to sign-up for monthly email updates. 

Follow our progress on social media! Search the hashtag #EduClimateCommission on Twitter and LinkedIn for updates.

November 2021 Updates:

  • Climate Commissioner Steve Frampton presented at the Carbon Literacy Project's "COP26 Carbon Literacy for Education Focus Day" (5th November). The talk focussed on the need for Carbon Literacy in FE and what tools are available.
  • Jisc has published a blog written by Climate Commissioner Steve Frampton exploring the challenges that colleges face, including their use of technology, as they aim for net zero (2nd November).
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst presented at the Leaders Forum for Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) COP26 Climate Action in International Education Week on 9th November 2021.
  • Climate Commissioner, Judith Petts, presented at the National Conference for Institute of School Business Leadership on 12th November.
  • Student Climate Commissioners, Manveer Gill and Katie Major, attended COP26 under the EAUC delegation and attended the launch of the draft Sustainability Strategy by the Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi, attended sessions with the University of Tokyo, Japan and Moroccan universities amongst other COP26 programmes.
  • Climate Commissioner, Steve Frampton, held various workshops highlighting the work of the Climate Commission and we heard from the Sustainability Unit at the Department of Education at the AoC Annual Conference on 16 & 17th November
  • Climate Commissioner, Joy Carter, presented at the College and University of the Anglican Communion on 30th November


October 2021 Updates:

  • The Climate Commission's Climate Action for University Chairs Guide was launched at the THE Climate Impact Forum (28th October). The Guide sets out why and how university Chairs and Boards can take climate action at their institution.
  • Climate Commission partner Association Of Colleges published "The Green College Commitment" (21st October).
  • Student Climate Commissioner Manveer Gill has written an article for THE titled "Students demand action on the climate crisis now - not later" (21st October). The article highlights the work and insights from the COY16 Student Statement and research by SOS-UK.
  • Climate Commission partner Universities UK published "Confronting the climate emergency: A commitment from UK universities" (20th October).
  • Climate Commissioner Joy Carter published a blog titled "We need more leaders, we need more action" (19th October). The piece explores the role universities and colleges have in filling a leadership vacuum in the face of limited global action on the climate crisis.
  • Professor Jim Longhurst, Climate Commissioner, is speaking at the Climate Action Leadership in a Volatile World event hosted by University of Tasmania on 13th October as presented by Global Climate Change Week in the run-up to COP-26 in Glasgow, a panel of international academic leaders will provide insight into the latest thinking to ensure Higher Education explore the need for broader and deeper cuts to carbon emissions.
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst presented Challenges and opportunities of COVID 19 on climate emergency initiatives at the Centre for Environment and Society, University of Essex Workshop on 7th October 2021.
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst presented University responses to the Climate Emergency at the Climate Action Leadership in Higher Education in a Volatile World, University of Tasmania High Level Panel on 12th October 2021. 
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst presented Climate Action leadership, Racing to Zero for Universities and Colleges at the THE Climate Impact Forum In collaboration with UNEP on 28th October 2021. 


September 2021 Updates:

  • The Student Climate Commissioners published their COY16 Student Statement (22nd September). With input and feedback from student focus groups, the statement is available until the 10th October for students to sign their support before submission to the COY16 Youth Delegates.
  • Climate Commission Commissioners and Steering Group members joined two workshops (FE - 1st September; HE - 13th September) facilitated by the Department for Education to support development of their new strategy.
  • Climate Commissioner Steve Frampton will be delivering a keynote speech at the College Development Network's half-day sustainability conference for college leaders and boards (6th October). Steering Group member Fiona Goodwin (EAUC) will also present on the FE Climate Action Roadmap alongside Billy Currie, Head of Corporate Services at Dumfries and Galloway College.
  • Student Climate Commissioner Manveer Gill is speaking at University of Warwick's ‘Careers in Not-for-profit’ Sector event (27th October) on his experience on the Climate Commission and continued professional development.
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst presented at Universities Leadership Role in Adapting to a Changing Climate at the African Green Universities and Youth Education Network Webinar on 22nd September 2021. 
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst presented Using the Climate Action Toolkit and the QAA /Advance HE ESD Guidance to Help Senior Leadership Teams in Universities Tackle the Climate Emergency at the Driving Sustainability in Higher Education. Institute of Government & Public Policy Conference on 29th September 2021.
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst, presented The imperative for decarbonisation action. Translating rhetoric into meaningful change. Why as a health and care system we need to urgently respond to climate change at the Suffolk and North East Essex ICS Conference on 29th September 2021. 


August 2021 Updates:​​​​​​

  • Climate Commission Commissioners and Steering Group met with the Department for Education Sustainability Unit with view to support development of DoE strategy.
  • Student Climate Commissioners facilitated a COY16 Statement Student Focus Group in partnership with Enactus UK (5th August). The Student Climate Commissioners are expected to publish their COY16 statement in September.


July 2021 Updates:​​​​​​

  • Student Climate Commissioners have been developing a Climate Commission Student COY16 Statement to feed-in to COY16 ahead of COP26. Focus Groups to develop the statement are planned for the 29th July (University of Leeds), 5th August (Enactus UK) and 19th August (FE student focus).


June 2021 Updates


May 2021 Updates


April 2021 Updates

  • Climate Commissioner Judith Petts joined a keynote discussion panel on Responding to the Climate Emergency at the Chartered Association of Business Schools Professional Managers' Annual Conference.
  • Climate Commissioners have written to the Prime Minister and Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, President for COP26, Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, Minister for Universities and Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, Secretary of State for Education - asking them to work with the Climate Commission on key areas: Green jobs & skills; Measuring & reporting; Raising the profile of the education sector leading up to COP26 and beyond; Curriculum; Research - including concerns on the recent reductions in ODA-related research funding. You can view the letter here.
  • Climate Commissioner Steve Frampton wrote an article featuring the Climate Commission and FE Climate Action Roadmap for tes - Climate change: We need to take action urgently.


March 2021 Updates

February 2021 Updates

  • Climate Commissioner Judith Petts has written a blog on Climate and Sustainable Development: Universities as Leaders
  • The HE Climate Action Toolkit was launched on 4 February
  • Climate Commissioner Judith Petts is chaired a UUK event on 3-4 February 2021 The Role of Universities in Tackling the Climate Emergency including a plenary session with Climate Commissioners Joy Carter and Marta Crispo.
  • The AoC Conference, 8-9 February 2021, included a session on the Climate Commission and the FE Climate Action Roadmap
  • Climate Commissioner Jim Longhurst and Student Climate Commissioner Manveer Gill will be speaking about the HE Climate Action Toolkit at the AUDE conference on 15th April 2021
  • Climate Commissioner Jim Longhurst is a keynote speaker at the Advance HE Sustainability Symposium: Facing Forward with Sustainability: Principles, Progress and Partnership on 25 March 2021 with fellow Climate Commissioners Joy Carter and Manveer Gill presenting on the Climate Commission in a plenary slot.
  • Climate Commissioner Joy Carter will be presenting the HE Climate Action Toolkit at the GuildHE VC meeting on 19 March 2021
  • Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst delivered a webinar on 22nd February for the Turkish Green Campus network hosted by Altinbas University entitled University Action for Climate Change with extensive reference to the work of the Climate Commission particularly the HE Climate Action Toolkit.
  • Simon Lancaster, Nous and Climate Commission Council member, Dumfries & Galloway College presented at the EAUC Scotland Conference on 25th February. 

    January 2021 Updates
    December 2020 Updates
    November 2020 Updates
    • We held the Climate Commission - One Year On event. The event included a Keynote Speech from The Rt. Hon. The Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change, a student panel and breakout rooms to discuss priorities for the next year running up to COP26.
    • The Climate Commission released a support statement for Mock COP26
    • The Climate Commission hosted a plenary session at the Global Climate 2020 event with UKRI and Department of Education representatives

    October 2020 Updates
     September 2020 Updates
    • This thought piece from Professor Joy Carter, CBE, DL, Vice-Chancellor at University of Winchester and Climate Commissioner forms a helpful baseline of the values and responses that run deep in Gen Z and therefore brings great value in understanding – and therefore helping to shape – young people’s opinions.    
    • Professor Joy Carter, Vice-Chancellor at University of Winchester and Climate Commissioner is speaking at the AUDE Future of the University Estate on Mobilising the higher education sector on climate change for the future on 6th October.   
    • The Commission has announced it will launch an HE Climate Action Toolkit, building off the work of its FE Climate Action Roadmap.   
    • The Climate Commission Podcast, Climate Chats with Students released 4 new podcasts chatting students from the University of Edinburgh and Keele University.  
    • The Climate Commission Secretariat has released the 2nd blog post in its series. This post covers priority 2: research and innovation and offers insights from Climate Commissioners Judith Petts and Marta Crispo. Read the post here.  
    August 2020 Updates
    • The Commission has released a document outlining its findings to date.
    • The Commission held an online event, "Discussion with Further and Higher Education Governors and Chairs" to understand the opportunities to and challenges of advancing climate action and sustainability at the board level. More information on the event here.  Watch the event recording here. 

    July 2020 Updates
    • The Climate Commission, in partnership with Nous Group, has launched the Climate Action Roadmap for FE Colleges. The Roadmap provides clear, feasible actions colleges can take to advance sustainability. This piece of work will act as one of the Commission's key outputs. 
    • Download the Roadmap here 
    • Watch Climate Commissioner Steve Frampton announce the launch of the roadmap here 
    • Read the Association of Colleges news item on the launch here 
    • Download the press release here 
    • Read EAUC's news item on the launch here 
    • The UK Climate Commission was presented to the global Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) event at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on 15 July 2020.
    • The College of the Future vision was launched on 22nd July. Steve Frampton, AoC President and Climate Commissioner said “The Climate Commission welcomes the report today from the Independent Commission on the College of the Future. The new vision for colleges puts sustainability and climate action at the very heart of the role of colleges, ensuring that colleges provide future students with the education and skills they need to tackle the climate crisis. The Climate Action Roadmap for Further Education Colleges, from the Climate Commission, provides colleges with the framework to help them achieve this.”

      June 2020 Updates  
    • Student Commissioners have been awarded honorary fellowships by EAUC in recognition of their commitment to tackling the climate crisis and their time and contribution to the Climate Commission's work. Read more about the honorary fellowships here
    • Student Commissioners have a launched a survey to better engage with students. 
    • Alex Bols - Deputy CEO, Guild HE and Climate Commission Steering Group member has written a blog on what we want the new normal to look at
    • Fiona Goodwin - Direction of Operations & Planning, EAUC and Climate Commission Steering Group member presented at the Universities Scotland International Committee Workshop to provide an update on the work of the Climate Commission. 
    • The Climate Commission Secretariat has written a blog post about the Commission's first priority, "mobilising the higher and further education sector voice" on Wonkhe. The post is one in a series of 5 synthesising and unpacking discussions on the Commission's priorities. 
       
    May 2020 Updates
    • Student Commissioners will facilitate focus groups for UNESCO's Futures of Education to ensure students on the Commission can contribute and impact global education policy. Read more about the initiative here.  
    • Climate Commissioner Steve Frampton (AoC President) has voiced his support for the new collaboration between Nous Group and the Climate Commission. Read his statement here.
    • Nous Group has published a news item on their collaboration with the Climate Commission  
    • Research Professional has published Commissioner Judith Petts' (Vice-Chancellor of University of Plymouth and UUK representative) piece about how universities' responses to COVID-19 can inform how they tackle the climate crisis, in which she mentions the Climate Commission's work. 
    • Commissioner Steve Frampton (President, AoC) discussed the Climate Commission's work and project with Nous Group at AoC's spring Policy Forum
    • Professor James Longhurst spoke as a panelist on the UUKi seminar, "Is it possible to have a green international strategy?" At the event, Professor Longhurst represented the Commission and touched on topics that will be addressed by the Commission. 

    April 2020 Updates
    • The Climate Commission drafted a response to the postponement of COP26 due to COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging the importance of reducing the severity of the outbreak and emphasising its continued commitment to tackling the climate crisis:

     
     
    • The 3rd Virtual Evidence Gathering Event took place on April 29th. The event was focused on priority 3: reporting scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in the FHE sector. Student commissioners included a question in the briefing paper for expert witnesses: "How can GHG reporting be made accessible to students to enable them to support the institution to become more sustainable?"
    • The Climate Commission has organised two further virtual events following the Virtual Evidence Gathering Events. The purpose of the events is to discuss with leaders in the FHE sector on the Commission's findings and progress to ensure its work is relevant and beneficial to the sector. 
    • The Climate Commission has partnered with Nous Group to produce a roadmap providing guidance to UK colleges on how to address the climate crisis. Learn more about the initiative here. 
    • The Climate Commission was mentioned in a blog post by Lucian J. Hudson (Chair of Earthwatch Europe) published on HEPI
    • The Climate Commission has partnered with Nous Group to produce a roadmap providing guidance to UK colleges on how to address the climate crisis. Learn more about the initiative here. 
    • Commissioner Professor James Longhurst (Assistant Vice-Chancellor of University of the West of England) has published articles on the Commission and how the FHE sector can tackle the climate crisis. Read the articles here.


    March 2020 Updates
     
    • The Climate Commissioners have been consulting with the Council on a draft statement on offsetting for the sector. The Climate Commission will develop additional guidance for institutions on offsetting taking on the comments from the Council. This will be shared with the Council in due course.
       
      Using the statement, the Climate Commission partner organisations (AoC, EAUC, GuildHE & UUK) will now continue this dialogue and consensus building with their memberships.

      Offsetting Statement
    • "The Climate Commission believes offsetting should be seen as a last resort for residual emissions where all other possible action has been taken using the principles of the Carbon Management Hierarchy of avoid, reduce, replace and offset. The Climate Commission foresee that offsetting will have a role as the sector moves towards net-zero emissions. The Climate Commission consider that offsetting may be higher in the early stages where institutions have ambitious targets but would expect these to scale down as measures are implemented and institutions move from net zero to zero emissions”
    February 2020 Updates
    • The Climate Commissioners had a planning meeting on 11th February. Along with the Institutional Commissioners we welcomed the Student Commissioners to the group. Each partner organisation as a Student Commissioner as well as an Institutional Commissioner. This is to ensure that the student voice is at the heart of the Climate Commission.
    Our Student Commissioners are:
    • Amy Brazier & Joshua Setford, Students, Portsmouth College, AoC representatives
    • Manveer Gill, Undergraduate, University of Warwick & EAUC representative
    • Florence Barrett, Undergraduate, Plymouth Marjon University, GuildHE representative
    • Marta Crispo, PhD Researcher, Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Sheffield, UUK representative  
    • Manveer says, “The Climate Commission has the potential to spark a collaborative sector-wide response to the climate emergency. By including students at every step, the Commission can create a strategy that unites all major stakeholders in our efforts to mitigate climate change.” 
       
      The Commissioners discussed the 5 priorities in further detail in preparation for the virtual evidence gathering events. As a reminder please book onto the events here.
    ​January 2020 Updates
    • Iain Patton and Chris Hale, Climate Commission Steering Group, presented to Universities UK staff to ensure they are all familiar with the work of the Climate Commission
    • EAUC Trustee, Eunice Simmons, was a keynote speaker at Advance HE conference and highlighted the work of the Climate Commission
    • EAUC Trustee and Climate Commissioner, Jim Longhurst was a keynote speaker at Advance HE’s STEM  conference in Manchester on 20th January 2020 and highlighted the work of the Climate Commission.
    • Student Commissioners have been appointed to work alongside the institutional Commissioners. This reflects equality within the Climate Commission and the determination to listen to students and ensure we have clear and cohesive actions.  
    • We are delighted to announce more institutions have now joined the Climate Commission Council – we have 85 in total with 61 institutional leaders and 24 students making up the Council
    • We have provided free Carbon Literacy training to students from the Council. They are now empowered and equipped to influence their fellow students as well as senior management within their institution
    • We have agreed the vision and mission as well as a Target Statement for the Climate Commission so we have a clear way ahead
    • We have listed the top priorities for the Climate Commission
    • We will have 5 virtual evidence gathering events over the coming 6 months for the sector to input into. Please book your place now.
    • Progress continues on our Scope 3 work and you can find out more about this here. We will soon be launching
      • a sector wide programme for Carbon Literacy training.
      • a travel tool to assist with conscious travel decisions. 
    • Climate Commissioners Judith Petts and Manveer Gill attended the recent launch of the UN Climate Change Summit (COP26) that the UK are hosting in Glasgow in November

Downloads

Download file climate_commission_communications_update_april_2020.docx
Communications Update April 2020 (92Kb)
Download file climate_commission_communication_update_22_01_20.pdf
Communications Update January 2020 (96Kb)
Download file climate_commission_current_findings_3.pdf
Climate Commission Current Findings v.1 (460Kb)
Download file climate_commission_current_outputs_and_next_steps_final.pdf
Current Outputs and Findings to Date (862Kb)
Download file climate_commission_letter_to_govt.pdf
Letter to Government 15 April 2021 (107Kb)
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