Warnings from environmentalists about the dangers of climate change have become louder and louder over the past few years. If we don’t drastically cut carbon emissions, there could be serious repercussions for the planet.
Many universities are providing great examples of how to combat climate change through pledging zero carbon emissions, refitting buildings to be more energy-efficient and arming students with the knowledge and skills to make individual changes.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) look to tackle some of today’s biggest global issues and SDG 13 covers climate action.
As part of the Impact Rankings, Times Higher Education has produced a ranking focusing on how universities are contributing to climate action. Some of the measures considered as part of the ranking are low carbon energy use, the presence of a university-wide climate action plan, and working with local or national government to address climate change planning. You can read more about the methodology here.
Top five universities for climate action
1. University of British Columbia
Since 2010, the University of British Columbia has had a plan in place called Climate Action 2020. Some of the measures laid out in the plan include aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 per cent by 2050, to use the university as a lab to develop climate change solutions and to take full account for the costs of its decisions on sustainability.
The university also organises UBC Reads Sustainability, a forum where students across disciplines can discuss issues on sustainability. The forum is part book club, part lecture series.
The university has a website dedicated to sustainability, where students can find out more about what the university is doing to be more sustainable, upcoming events, tips on how to be more environmentally friendly and student groups on climate action.
2. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam conducts research across a number of environmental areas such as water and climate risk, environmental economics and environmental policy analysis.
Students that would like to make sustainability part of their studies can choose from 10 bachelor’s programmes, nine minors and 19 master’s programmes.
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3. University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing overall energy use. The university’s Energy Strategy 2018-22 is designed to enhance energy security, reduce energy costs and consumption, and reduce energy-related carbon emissions.
The university was also the second university in Australia to be certified carbon neutral back in 2016.
There are also a number of programmes that encourage recycling and reusing items.
4. University of Victoria
As part of its approach to become a more sustainable institution, the University of Victoria has created a Sustainability Action Plan, which includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce campus natural gas consumption and reduce waste.
A number of campaigns are held across the year including Sustainability Week, Holiday Shutdown and Love-A-Mug week.
5. Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University
Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University offers a number of courses for students around energy efficiency and sustainable development. These are full-time courses as well as summer school courses.
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