COP28: Responding to climate crisis through our research

Posted on: 30 November 2023 in Issue 7

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, launches this week in the United Arab Emeriates bringing world leaders together to discuss how to limit and prepare for future climate change.

The programme for the two-week summit throws a spotlight on key climate-related issues such as energy and nature with the addition of some new themes including days dedicated to Health, Relief, Recovery, and Peace, as well as Trade and Urbanization

COP28 website

A special COP28 website has been launched to showcase the connection between the University’s research and COP28’s thematic programme and how researchers can influence future policy, governance and innovation to combat the global climate crisis.

The COP28 website features latest news, blogs, reports, interviews and podcasts from researchers who are helping shape the debate.

Podcast

The University will be launching a new podcast series during COP28. Episode one will focus on issues around air pollution on different communities and how Liverpool researchers are looking to reduce  its harmful effects.

Activities

On Wednesday 6th December, Professor Ric Williams, Chair in Ocean and Climate Science and co-lead of the University of Liverpool’s Climate Futures Research theme, will host a COP28 briefing to consider the science around climate change and the UK progress in reducing carbon emissions. Professor of Karl Whittle will provide an overview of the implications of climate change on the energy industry and discuss some of the key energy proposals being put forward by the negotiations at COP28.

In addition, a group of sustainability focused students will be interviewing our climate change experts about their research and ways in which we can preserve the world we live in.

Follow @livuniresthemes on X/Twitter for the latest University COP28 content.

Attendance at COP28

Members of University staff will be attending COP28 including Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships.

In addition, Dr Elisa Puzzolo, co-director of Clean Air AFRICA, will be presenting the latest developments from the NIHR funded Clean Air AFRICA project, putting household air-pollution on the global agenda to support rapid scale-up of clean household energy.

Ahead of COP28, the University hosted an event that brought together Liverpool climate researchers and UK climate experts, including Professor Sir David King, Professor Gideon Henderson and Professor Elizabeth Robinson, to explore the science and societal implications of climate change, and ways to drive action to find solutions.

Climate research

Responding to the global climate crisis is the focus of the University’s Climate Futures Research theme.

Climate futures brings together experts in a wide range of disciplines to explore impacts of climate change, develop solutions to environmental challenges and address knowledge gaps.

Research expertise spans climate science, emissions reduction, food sustainability, air quality impacts, new materials discovery, behaviour insights, risk communication, community engagement and the development of new sustainable technologies.

For further information, please visit the Climate Futures theme webpage.

University sustainability

Sustainability is a priority for the University and it is important to every aspect of our work. The University is committed to embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals across the institution, through research, teaching and learning, operations and our community of staff, students and alumni.

In line with strategic priorities set out in Liverpool 2031, which includes sustainability as a cross-cutting theme, plans are underway to refresh the Sustainability Strategy to ensure it is aligned with our newly agreed objectives, and creates a long-term vision for our shared future that encapsulates our desire to act as global leaders in environmental, social and corporate sustainability.