The Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) was launched in January 2019 at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The GAUC now has 13 member institutions from nine countries:
- Australian National University
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
- Imperial College London
- Indian Institute of Science
- London School of Economics and Political Science (Co-Chair)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Sciences Po
- Stellenbosch University
- Tsinghua University (Co-Chair)
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
- University of Tokyo
The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy lead the participation of the London School of Economics and Political Science in the GAUC.
The GAUC is intended to provide a mechanism for exchange and cooperation, specifically to lead efforts from global higher education to examine the technical, social, psychological, institutional and economic issues of climate change and how practical action can be implemented.
The member institutions of the GAUC are committed to the initiation and support of actions which are required to respond to the global challenge of climate change. Joint actions could include but are not limited to:
1. Encourage universities around the world to address climate change as a core part of their mission.
2. Advance global understanding and commitments on climate action through greater engagement with climate stakeholders.
3. Strengthen cooperative links that promote research, policy development and implementation, technological innovation and public awareness on climate issues.
4. Strengthen cooperation on climate change in the creation of relevant knowledge and skills, including the development of related training and education programs.
5. Advocate and support low net-GHG emissions campus practices, and promote the adoption of world-leading environment practices by universities around the world consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals.
6. Develop fora designed to share knowledge and promote key GAUC objectives.
Forthcoming event
‘Pathways to Net Zero Emissions’
On Wednesday 16 September, the GAUC will host a remote public event via videoconference at which policymakers and researchers will discuss pathways to net zero emissions.
The event will take place between 11:00 am and 12 noon British Summer Time.
Speakers will include a senior member of the UK Presidency of COP26, a senior policymaker from China, and Professor Lord Stern, the Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.
This event will be hosted one Zoom. The event if free to join but you will need to register in advance. Register here via Eventbrite