G L O B A L B R I E F I N G R E P O RT R E V I E W C L I M AT E C R I S I S
Universities Take Coordinated Action to Address the Climate Crisis By Annelise Riles & The University of Toronto and University of Edinburgh Presidential Delegates to the U7+ Alliance
Foreword Annelise Riles, Executive Director of the Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and Leader of the U7+ Alliance of World Universities Secretariat
The U7+ Alliance of World Universities is an alliance of leading universities in G7 nations and beyond dedicated to taking action collectively, in coordination with government leaders in the G7 and other multilateral institutions, to address the greatest global challenges. Challenges like the climate crisis transcend borders, sectors and disciplines, and universities can catalyze solutions—as sources of knowledge and also as convenors and coordinators, situated at the crossroads of generations and cultures.
Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the U7+ Alliance declared its commitment to supporting the implementation of new and continuing climate goals. 29 universities around the world made specific commitments to coordinated action through research, education, and actions on our own physical campuses. One of universities’ singular strengths as global actors is our ability to convene and elevate the voices of the next generation of global leaders. At our 2021 U7+ Worldwide Student Forum, led by University College London in partnership with Northwestern University’s Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and the U7+ Student
Leaders Board, students representing 24 U7+ Alliance universities across 12 countries presented their university presidents with a set of recommendations on how institutions worldwide can bring an intergenerational perspective to address climate change. In the coming year, the U7+ Alliance will intensify coordination with policymakers, industry leaders, and citizens in G20 nations and beyond. As locally grounded but globally networked institutions, and as institutions oriented toward the future— in our research and our preparation of the next generation of leaders—we are eager to play our part in creating a more peaceful and sustainable world for generations to come.
U7+ Commitments to Climate Action University of Toronto and University of Edinburgh Presidential Delegates to the U7+ Alliance.
Two years ago, the U7+ Alliance committed to a set of principles regarding the role of universities in addressing a number of shared challenges. None of those challenges is greater or more urgent than the climate crisis, and we have a responsibility to take action accordingly. Along with over 25 universities in the U7+ Alliance, the University of Toronto, the University of Edinburgh and Université PSL acted as champions to make measurable progress in this area. In particular, the U7+ committed to lead in addressing climate change and sustainability challenges through two specific actions, under a principled framework, set out as follows: GROUPOFNATIONS.COM
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