Supporting the University of Leeds Climate Plan

In 2019, the University of Leeds made a pioneering commitment to address the climate crisis, including setting an ambitious 2030 net zero greenhouse gas target.

Developing this commitment into a deliverable plan involved a collaborative effort across the University community, involving our academic staff, professional services and students.

The Priestley Centre provides academic leadership of the Climate Plan, engaging the University’s research community to ensure that delivery draws on the latest evidence and embeds opportunities for research and education.

The Priestley Centre provides a highly valuable role in both challenging and informing the work we are doing under the Climate Plan. Their knowledge and expertise ensures delivery stays true to its original aims, remains ambitious and takes advantage of the developments in social and technical solutions.

The Centre supports the development of relationships and projects involving researchers and operational delivery teams; coordinates working groups and activities focused on key challenges such as justice and climate resilience; and engages with local, regional and national initiatives to share good practice and learning.

A group of experts coordinated by the Priestley Centre provides advice to the Climate Plan delivery team and undertakes an annual progress review of progress.

When I was asked to help review progress of the University of Leeds Climate Plan, I was intrigued to learn how another academic institution was going to achieve what many others, including my own, have promised; to be net zero in the coming decade.

The Priestley Centre hosts a Climate Plan Research Engagement Officer to further facilitate links between the University’s Climate Plan and its research, education and impact goals. Their work is essential to ensuring the University of Leeds experts are engaged with delivering this truly ambitious programme of work.