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Belfast Climate Commission is launched

Queen’s University Belfast and Belfast City Council have today (Friday 10 January, 2020) launched the ‘Belfast Climate Commission’, to drive action on the climate crisis. 

The Commission will play a key role in place-based climate action necessary to achieve the UK Government’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. 

UK businesses invited to take part in climate risk survey

As part of the Third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics in collaboration with the UK Committee on Climate Change are investigating climate risks to businesses and industry in the UK.

Edinburgh Climate Commission takes shape

Edinburgh City Council and Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) are progressing plans to establish an Edinburgh Climate Commission at will spearhead the city's medium and longer term response to the climate crisis, with a major conference and youth summit in development for early 2020. 

Earlier this year, Edinburgh joined cities and nations all over the globe in announcing decisive action to tackle the climate emergency, setting the Capital the ambitious target of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030. Now a raft of immediate steps and short term Council actions have been mapped out and approved by Councillors at a special meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee last month.

First PCAN Fund winners announced

Five proposals are sharing £105,000 of funding from the first round of the PCAN (Place-Based Climate Action Network) Fund.

The winning proposals, which made it through a two-stage selection process involving almost 80 initial bids, include creating guidance for Citizens’ Assemblies on climate change, future-proofing World Heritage Sites from climate impacts, and Climate Emergency Bonds. A project building knowledge and skills for a just transition to a low carbon economy, and another supporting local government officers to implement rapid carbon action have also been funded.

The benefits of investing in zero-carbon cities

A new report shows low carbon measures in cities could reduce urban emissions by nearly 90% and support 87 million jobs worldwide by 2030.

The Coalition for Urban Transitions is supported by 50 leading international institutions. Its report, Climate Emergency Urban Opportunity, shows that governments which invest in low carbon cities can enhance economic prosperity, make cities better places to live and rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

UK contribution to social science research on climate change 'significant'

The UK makes a significant contribution to social science research on climate change but important research gaps remain, a comprehensive review of UK-funded research in this area finds. The report, commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), demonstrates that a remarkable diversity of topics, methods and geographies have been addressed over the past decade, with seven thematic priorities emerging.

Job Opportunity: Research Fellow in Urban Climate Action

Are you an ambitious researcher who wants to play an important role in supporting climate action in UK cities? Do you have a directly relevant background and expertise relating to low carbon and/or climate resilient urban development? Do you have strong organisational skills and experience in working with a range of stakeholders to drive high impact research?  

New funding for local climate change projects announced

Funding of up to £75,000 to support local climate action in the UK has been announced by the Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN).

Proposals are invited for the first round of the PCAN Fund, backed by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which will support up to six projects worth £5,000 – £35,000 each, out of a total of £75,000.

Leeds can become a carbon neutral city, according to new roadmap report

Leeds can become a carbon neutral city by 2050 - and could potentially achieve the 2030 target in the climate emergency motion passed by councillors on 27 March - according to a new “carbon roadmap” report published by Leeds Climate Commission.