Commonwealth Countries by Region

VIEW MAP and DESCRIPTIONS HERE

Official launch of the Hack the Planet Competition

Major assessment concludes that ocean soundscape is being drowned out by human activity

Read Article HERE

Climate Ambitions Summit - 12 December 2020 - Report

The Association of Commonwealth Universities

Antigua and Bermuda to establish Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and and the Blue Economy  READ MORE HERE

The impact of universities on climate change: a theoretical framework (Nov 2020)

Tristan McCowanis a Co-Investigator on CGHE’s global higher education engagement research programme. t.mccowan@ucl.ac.uk

Abstract Universities have a crucial role to play in addressing climate change, but the complexity and multifaceted nature of the issue presents challenges for the traditional functioning of the institution. While there is a growing body of work on campus sustainability and climate issues in the curriculum, there is a need to understand more holistically the forms of influence that universities have on society and the environment. This paper puts forward a framework for understanding the impact of universities on climate change, involving four stages: the modalities of university action (education, knowledge production, public engagement, service delivery and campus operations); direct engagement with bridging actors; the broader influence on societal understandings and practices; and finally impact on the ecosphere. Specific pathways of impact are identified, involving either mitigation of or adaptation to climate change. This framework serves as an analytical tool to identify the trajectories of impact already in evidence, but also presents normative implications for the role of higher education institutions in addressing the current climate crisis.

Download the document on PDF format  HERE

Acknowledgment: This work was directly funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) project ES/T005130/1, and supported by the Economic and Social Research Council grants ES/M010082/1 and ES/P005292/

Action for the Oceans - The Royal Commonwealth Society - London

Our oceans are host to the vast majority of life on this planet and hold some of our most diverse ecosystems but our oceans are under threat: climate change, over-fishing, habitat destruction on an epic scale and pollution of all kinds are jeopardising the health of our oceans and their ability to provide for us. Through high-level advocacy we seek to protect our oceans for future generations.

A Commonwealth Conversation: Climate Action and the Commonwealth

Join the Society's Chair, Dr Linda Yueh, as she discusses Climate Action and the Commonwealth with the UN Patron of Oceans and new Society Ambassador, Lewis Pugh. With the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and the CEO of Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust, they will explore the role of the Commonwealth's governments and citizens in contributing to climate action.

Speakers:

Lewis Pugh OIG, Ambassador of the Royal Commonwealth Society & UN Patron of Oceans

H.E. The Hon. George Brandis QC, Australian High Commissioner to the U.K.

Angelique Pouponneau, Chief Executive Officer, Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust, & Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society

Moderator: Dr Linda Yueh, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society

Event details Where Online When

Start: 11th November, 2020 at 3:00pm

End: 11th November, 2020 at 4:00pm

UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION

CLIMATE AND OCEANS

UNA Editor, Climate, Oceans and the Commonwealth