Universities in the face of the climate and nature crisis: Redoubling our commitment to a sustainable future

This event marks the launch of The Guild’s Insight paper on ‘Universities in the face of the climate and nature crisis: Redoubling our commitment to a sustainable future’, which urges policymakers to strengthen universities’ capacities to address the climate and nature crises alongside other central societal and economic goals. And it discusses, through concrete examples from its members, how universities must redouble their efforts to inspire each other in addressing complex challenges in the climate and nature crises.

Programme: 

10.00-11.20: Universities and the Green Deal objectives

How can universities contribute to the clean and just transition through R&I? How do we align competitiveness, preparedness and the AI revolution with a continued focus on a just and sustainable transition?

• Aligning the Green and Digital Transitions: Morten Dæhlen, Centre Leader Science, University of Oslo
• Key arguments and case studies from The Guild’s Insight Paper: Jaime Toney, Professor of Environmental and Climate Science, University of Glasgow
• Roundtable discussion:
  • Frank Siebern-Thomas, Head of Unit Fair Green and Digital Transitions, Research, DG EMPL, European Commission
  • Mette Halskov Hansen, Vice-Rector for Climate and Environment, University of Oslo
  • Thomas Breu, Director of the Centre for Development and Environment and Professor for Sustainable Development, University of Bern
  • Michiel Scheffer, President of the EIC Board, European Innovation Council

11.20-12.30: Higher Education for a Just and Sustainable Transition

How can we strengthen complex problem-solving skills and expertise on sustainability amongst our students? How can Erasmus+ and Universities, through the Union of Skills, empower students to address the Climate and Nature crises? And how can we ensure a focus on sustainable development approaches in pedagogy, encouraged not least by the Commission, is not crowded out, but runs alongside, the need to strengthen skills in current and future technologies?

• Key arguments and case studies from The Guild’s Insight Paper
• Roundtable discussion:
  • Susanne Conze, Head of Unit Higher Education, DG EAC, European Commission
  • Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning and Vice-Chancellor Designate, Stellenbosch University
  • Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla, Academic Director for Sustainability, University of Warwick