Transcript University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Centre on Climate Change
University of Edinburgh
Universities 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
What is the context?
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
University of Edinburgh
The issue, unlike many problems solved in the past,
is unique in that it demands interdisciplinary
collaboration
University of Edinburgh
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
scottish executive
parliament
waverley station
dynamic earth
climate change centre
old college
School of infomatics
Approach to Climate Change:
University of Edinburgh
1. The Sustainable City
2. The Centre’s City Context
3. 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.