Universities need a seat at the table in the fight against climate change – here's why

After Sir Keir Starmer announced ambitious plans to cut 81% of the UK’s emissions by 2035 at COP29, Dr Caroline Lambert, Head of Coventry University’s School of Engineering, discusses the valuable role higher education can play in the fight against climate change.

Higher education has a tendency to be overlooked when it comes to the fight against climate change; however, when you really sit down and think about it, it doesn’t take long to realise that we deserve a seat at the table.

Firstly, universities are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies and research that will shape not only how we approach climate change but also how we look to mitigate its considerable impacts on society. Initiatives like electric vehicle innovation, battery technology and the use of low-carbon building materials are spearheaded by universities up and down the country and it is essential we continue harnessing the full capabilities of our nation's institutions if we’re to continue delivering low-carbon solutions.

By bringing together industry and academia through entrepreneurial initiatives, interdisciplinary research, internship programmes, skills training and degree apprenticeships, we are enabling a melting pot of experts in a variety of fields to develop and deliver effective net zero solutions.

Leaders of tomorrow

However, perhaps the most important reason to include universities in the fight against climate change is that we find ourselves in the unique position of educating future global political leaders, policymakers and professionals who will shape and drive climate action in the years ahead. We must grab this opportunity with both hands. By integrating sustainable theory and practice into our teaching we will ensure that the leaders of tomorrow have the knowledge and skills needed to address the world’s environmental challenges.

As Head of Coventry University’s School of Engineering, I have been fortunate enough to witness first-hand how we’ve adapted our approach with climate change in mind. Our curriculum development and diversification has to address themes that have combatting climate change at their core - including electrification, electrical manufacturing and sustainable energy. In doing this, we are ensuring our students have the skills and knowledge to address environmental challenges, integrate sustainable practices into their engineering solutions and contribute positively to a greener future.

This learning experience is delivered within our state-of-the-art facilities including the Beatrice Shilling building’s latest tool, the Powerwall, and the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME). Both facilities are designed with sustainability in mind and provide our students with an immersive experience.

For everyone

We also fully appreciate the lasting impact universities like ours have on the communities around us. I strongly believe we have an obligation to ensure we’re doing everything we can to maximise our impact, both locally in Coventry and globally when it comes to combatting climate change.

Collaboration is key. The AME, for example, is committed to delivering sustainable practices with a local impact and its importance as a facility has already been demonstrated through several key initiatives, perhaps most notably the West Midlands Combined Authority-funded Clean Futures Project. We want to ensure that the engineers of today, whether in electrification, sustainable manufacturing or something completely different, have the skills they need to succeed and thrive in their chosen profession. Our ongoing collaboration with JLR is testament to this and showcases how we use our academic expertise to create and deliver practical, bespoke courses that can make a tangible difference to major employers and the national economy.

Finally, the efforts of higher education institutions in combatting climate change are not limited to education and, running parallel to the degree courses, apprenticeships and continued professional development we deliver, we’re also leading the charge for change through pioneering research. At Coventry University Group, for example, we’re helping provide solutions in battery technology, hydrogen power and future transport, as we address complex environmental concerns vital to a cleaner tomorrow.

I'm incredibly proud of the work we are doing across the Group in fostering sustainable practices and increasing awareness among our students, collaborators and communities. We are not alone in this mission - remarkable work and research is taking place at institutions up and down the country. This cannot be in vain and we must leverage the strengths of all aspects of our higher education institutions more frequently and consistently.

Once we do, we’ll find ourselves in a much stronger position to contribute to global efforts in the fight against climate change.