University of Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Centre on Climate Change

University of EdinburghUniversities change our lives

These are the places where ideas are born, where knowledge is created and where innovation occurs.

The list of examples is a very long one. While we can think of great academics of the past (Joseph Black, Joseph Lister, David Hume, Adam Smith, Charles Darwin…), it isn’t just a historical.

Think of Ian Wilmut, Peter Higgs, Steve Jones; Universities are still, often controversially, influencing our development and changing our lives.

University of Edinburgh

The UK Climate Change Act (2008) and the Climate Change (Scotland) Act (2009) lay the framework for radical changes in the ways in which we produce and use energy and use land in the UK

80% reductions in CO2 emissions by 2050!

How will we do this? …. It will require new ideas, new knowledge, new innovation. It will require Universities

What is the context?

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The issue, unlike many problems solved in the past, is unique in that it demands interdisciplinary

collaboration

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Question: Are Universities positioned and organised to take up the challenge?

Answer: No. The environment in which academic exchange takes place is mostly focused on disciplinary investigation. Our Universities have thrived on structures encouraging such work. They don’t lend

themselves naturally to broad interdisciplinary efforts, however.

University of Edinburgh

What is the vision for the ECCC?

The problems have been identified; its time to think, seriously, about the solutions.

The Edinburgh Centre on Climate Change aims to provide the environment in which interdisciplinary ideas, knowledge and innovation are nurtured.

Our vision is to build a vibrant global community of talented people at the forefront of tackling climate-related challenges. This community of people includes well-informed policy makers, business and community leaders; world-class researchers tackling timely problems; and outstanding educators and communicators.

University of Edinburgh

Why Edinburgh?

Location close to the centres of finance, law and government: Scottish Government commitment to radical changes in energy production and use

One of the greatest concentrations of climate change specialists in the UK - in engineering, geosciences, law, business and carbon management…

Links to, and participation within, broader UK and international research, teaching and innovation networks

University of Edinburgh

Core functions of the ECCC

Delivering high-quality research to identify science, technology and social science solutions to the climate change problem

Teaching the next generation of climate change specialists

Coordinating knowledge exchange with Government and society to support policy

Working with business to support their response to the implications of climate mitigation, impacts and adaptation

University of Edinburgh

The ECCC needs YOU

The ECCC will focus on education, especially at Masters level.

The ECCC will be externally facing, and open to industry, government, policy makers, law, and the public.

We aim to allow the University to do what it does best. To make a difference to our lives. To help deliver reductions in atmospheric CO2 through ideas, knowledge and innovation.

University of Edinburgh

parliament

dynamic earth

scottish executive

waverley station

old college

climate change centre

School of infomatics

University of EdinburghApproach to Climate Change:

1. The Sustainable City2. The Centre’s City Context3. Connections…

Approach to Conservation:

4. Historic Buildings

Approach to the Building:

5. a Community of Spaces:. social spine. information centre and café A and B. outlook tower. lecture theatre. exhibition/conference/everything

University of Edinburgh

We can’t do it alone. Collaboration means just that. We need partners external to the University. We need your

assistance, advise and support.