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It’s a Tuesday evening, almost halfway through the 2024/25 academic year, and a few hundred Oxford undergraduates have filled a lecture hall to hear two of the University’s world-leading academics discuss one of the most pressing questions of our time: ‘What are the solutions to climate change?’.

The lecture, delivered by Dr Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor at the Smith School of Enterprise and Programme Leader in Zero Carbon Energy Use at Oxford’s ZERO Institute, and Nathalie Seddon, Professor of Biodiversity and Founding Director of the Nature-based Solutions Initiative, is just one of a series of keynote lectures delivered as part of ‘The Vice-Chancellor's Colloquium: Climate’. In this lecture, the academics tackle the climate crisis through concepts like net zero and nature-based solutions, while discussing the challenge of growing energy demand for cooling in relation to extreme heat.

Launched in 2024, the eight-week interdisciplinary programme was created by Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey, to address the gap between humanities, social sciences and STEM subjects. It encourages Oxford’s students to build cross-curricular skills through lectures that bring together different perspectives on the same topic, as well as workshops facilitated by doctoral students.

The Vice-Chancellor, who attended the event, said she was ‘delighted to see the enthusiasm’ of students from across the University and all disciplines. Addressing the lecture hall, she said, ‘I know there's a lot of anxiety around climate, but it really is a problem that we can fix if we are bold enough and innovative enough.’

Taking to the stage first, Dr Khosla presented to students on what she believes is a ‘blind spot’ in our thinking about climate change; every year extreme heat kills more people than any other climate change induced extreme weather event, yet an Oxford study found that none of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or their 169 targets, include the words ‘heat’, ‘cool’, or ‘thermal’. Rising in its intensity, frequency, and duration, it is an issue now affecting countries even with temperate climates such as the UK, where in 2022 temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius for the first time.

So, the future growth of energy consumption for cooling is an important concern. The global demand for air conditioning is considerable, currently accounting for 20% of energy use worldwide. The International Energy Agency predicts an ‘equivalent’ of ten new air conditioning units will be sold every second for next 30 years; ‘By the middle of the century we’re going to need air conditioning that it equivalent to all the energy that the United States, Europe and Japan use today.’

How do we provide thermal comfort for everybody but with zero greenhouse gases? That’s the conundrum, says Dr Khosla, and one that she and colleagues at Oxford have been working on, in collaboration with the UN. The result has been to model a solution that incorporates action on a global, city, building and individual level, incorporating multiple levers of change.

Passive cooling solutions are one of those levers; residential building design that incorporates such solutions as shading, ventilation and building orientation can prevent heat building up in the built environment and reduce the need for air conditioning; the reduction from passive cooling measures is about 25%.

Another is higher energy efficiency of air conditioners through improved technology, as well as a drive to decarbonise the grid. ‘One of the gifts of cooling,’ says Dr Khosla, ‘is that it's based-on electricity, and that opens up a lot of options, because electricity can be green.’ The refrigerant gas used in many air conditioning systems also needs to be quickly phased out. All this is needed alongside the appropriate governance, policies, regulations and laws to tackle the climate crisis.

‘Dealing with climate change and extreme heat is daunting. It can be challenging to think about whether we can we do this or not’. For those students not convinced, Dr Khosla points to a black and white photograph of the New York Easter day parade in 1900, showing a street lined with horse driven carriages. A decade later, a photograph of that same street has captured a socio-technical tipping point - the street is filled with motorised vehicles, heralding a change not only in technology but in society itself. In regard to the climate crisis, ‘we are constantly looking for those tipping points’, says Dr Khosla.

How to adapt to and reduce the impacts of climate change in a warming world is also one of the focuses of Professor Seddon’s Nature-based Solutions Initiative in Oxford, which brings together evidence demonstrating the benefits of nature-based solutions. There is a growing consensus around the global mitigation potential of nature-based solutions on the land of around 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide per year, equivalent to a reduction of heating by 0.3 degrees C.

The term ‘nature-based solutions’ has gained traction in recent years, but it’s often misunderstood, and at risk of misuse by a growing number of companies pledging to invest in nature as way of meeting net zero targets. Professor Seddon puts it plainly; ‘We need to do a reality check’. Short-term, isolated, carbon-focused projects, such as mono-culture tree-plantations or off-set schemes, are not nature-based solutions.

Instead, nature-based solutions represent a holistic suite of approaches built on the knowledge that healthy flourishing biodiverse ecosystems support our society and economy. ‘Put simply,’ Professor Seddon says, ‘nature-based solutions involve working with nature to address a range of societal goals but in a way that provides benefit to local communities and biodiversity.’

They also recognise that biodiversity loss and climate change share some of the same drivers, for example industrial agriculture on land is the biggest driver of biodiversity loss and also generates 23 percent of our global greenhouse gas emissions; ‘So, in theory we can tackle one solution, while also addressing the other.’

‘It’s clear that nature is a real ally to us in the face of the impacts of climate change’, says Professor Seddon. Protecting our habitats, grasslands, forests, and wetlands can secure and regulate water supplies, and shield infrastructure, communities and agriculture from flood erosion, landslides and damage from increasingly extreme weather systems.

There are plenty of examples of successful nature-based solutions. In Sierra Leone, cocoa agroforestry projects have been introduced in some areas. Here, crops are grown among the trees and trees among crops at a lower cost than conventional production, saving 500,000 tonnes of carbon a year, improving local livelihoods, and avoiding deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Recent work by Oxford’s researchers has highlighted the importance of nature-based solutions to tropical nations in particular, who cannot meet their targets under the Paris agreement without investing in measures such as halting deforestation and restoring degraded land. In Brazil these actions alone will help the country meet 80% of its net zero goal.

But the scale of the challenge is considerable, and nature-based solutions must happen alongside the decarbonisation of our energy systems and the introduction of ambitious climate policies to achieve their mitigation potential. According to Professor Seddon, it requires a fundamental shift in our thinking and values. ‘Our economic system is actively investing in its own demise’, she says, by prioritising profit over planetary health. Every year over $7 trillion continues to be spent on environmentally harmful investments, such as in fossil fuels and industrial agriculture; ‘our house is on fire and we’re still pouring fuel on the flames.’

The Vice-Chancellor's Colloquium | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.

By 2050 the majority of the world’s student age population will be in Africa. African graduates and researchers will play a key role in contributing to the future of not just the continent, but the world.

Here we meet some of the 2024/25 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program students at the University of Oxford under the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), which aims to increase the number of African students pursuing postgraduate degrees here. These outstanding Mastercard Foundation Scholars are all receiving full scholarships for a rigorous one-year taught postgraduate course, leadership and impact programme, entrepreneurship support and networking opportunities.

The scholarship supports Mastercard Foundation Scholars before, during and following their time at Oxford including developing a lifelong network of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni who collectively will rise to meet Africa’s challenges and opportunities.

Fidelity Ndali, from Zimbabwe, is pursuing an MSc in Modelling for Global Health at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, and is a member of Kellogg College. He graduated with First Class Honours in Applied Mathematics with Economics from the University of Zimbabwe and is interested in the role that mathematical and economic modelling can play in informing public health policy in low and middle-income countries, particularly for infectious diseases.

After completing his MSc, Fidelity plans to collaborate with NGOs and other organisations on global health research projects. He aims to pursue a PhD, with the long-term goal of translating complex modelling results into practical policy solutions, particularly for the African region.

Nashwa Mohammed is from Sudan and is studying for a Master’s in International Health and Tropical Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Medicine. She is a member of Hertford College.

Nashwa graduated from the University of Khartoum and is the founder of Fadfada, a mental health provider startup for provides remote online therapy. Her work focuses on bridging the gender gap in the workforce by partnering primarily with female psychologists. Through collaborations with local and international organisations, including the World Health Organization, Fadfada provides therapy to survivors of violence during the Sudanese revolution and ongoing conflicts.

After completing her studies at Oxford, Nashwa plans to use evidence-based approaches to combat mental health stigma and develop culturally sensitive interventions. She aims to leverage technology to transform mental health services in Sudan, across Africa, and globally.

Kendi Juma is a Kenyan lawyer with a strong commitment to sustainable development in Africa, with a focus on the knowledge, practices and evolving culture of communities. She is pursuing an MSc in African Studies at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies and is a member of Corpus Christi College.

Before joining Oxford, Kendi worked at the Shamiri Institute, a mental health organisation in Kenya, where she led efforts to expand mental health services. This included organising the 2-23 Arts and Policy Summit, which brought together government and other key stakeholders and helped to deliver mental health services to over 25,000 young people.

Kendi is also the founder of two youth initiatives, Busara Leaders Lab and Peer Connect, which focus on addressing unemployment and poverty in Kenya.

After completing her studies at Oxford, Kendi intends to pursue doctoral research in Development Studies. She aims to continue her work in integrating indigenous knowledge and community well-being interventions with digital solutions in Africa.

Mtendere Manase, from Malawi, is studying for an MSc in Medical Physics with Radiobiology at the Department of Oncology, and is a member of St Hilda’s College.

Mtendere graduated from the Malawi University of Science and Technology with a BSc in Medical Imaging. She has worked as a radiography intern in all major referral hospitals in Malawi, where she has contributed to improving precise patient diagnoses using various imaging modalities, such as X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), and Ultrasound.

Her research interests include radiation oncology, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), how the immune system and proper nutrition can enhance the effects of ionising radiation on cancer cells, with a focus on improving radiosensitivity in cervical cancer caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Mtendere’s goal is to become a leading medical physicist. She aims to apply the knowledge she gains at Oxford to advance diagnostic and therapeutic precision in radiation oncology in Malawi.

Ali Elhassan, a civil engineer from Sudan, is pursuing an MSc in Water Science, Policy, and Management. He is a member of Hertford College.

Ali graduated with first-class honours in civil engineering from the University of Khartoum and is the Co-Founder of the Young Water Professionals - Sudan Chapter, supported by the International Water Association. His professional experience includes working as a Water Resources Engineer at Newtech Consulting Group, where he addressed environmental challenges across Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Ali has also served as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Khartoum, focusing on water and environmental engineering.

After completing his studies at Oxford, Ali plans to focus on research-based consultancy to develop strategies addressing water crises in African countries. He aims to improve water access and security through community engagement, ensuring that local voices are central to the planning process, enhancing resilience, and reducing water-related conflicts.

Reem Yehia Kamel Elsayed, from Egypt, is pursuing an MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford. She is a member of Keble College.

Reem holds an MSc in Development Studies from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, where she was a Mandela Rhodes Scholar. She is a pharmacist with extensive experience in health systems strengthening, health policy, women's health, and climate change.

She is a fellow at the Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems (UHS) Department at the World Health Organization's Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, where she works on climate change and health projects across 22 countries. She has also contributed to Egypt's Universal Health Coverage efforts during her four years with the Egypt Healthcare Authority, focusing on policy, management, and research.

Reem is committed to advancing global health, addressing health inequities, and tackling climate change through advocacy, policy, and research in Egypt and across Africa.

About Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx)

Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) is an institution-wide academic network based in the University of Oxford. AfOx’s vision is to make engagement with Africa a strategic priority for the University of Oxford. AfOx facilitates equitable, impactful and sustainable collaborations between Oxford and African institutions through its education, research and innovation programs.

For more information visit www.afox.ox.ac.uk.

Researchers at the University of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science have made major advances towards realising green hydrogen – the production of hydrogen by splitting water, powered by renewable energy. Their approach, which focuses on bio-engineering bacteria to become ‘hydrogen nanoreactors’, could open the way towards a cost-effective, zero carbon method of generating hydrogen fuels.

Hydrogen could play a key role in helping us achieve net-zero emissions, since this burns cleanly without releasing CO₂. However, current industrial hydrogen production depends heavily on fossil fuels, generating approximately 11.5–13.6 kilograms of CO₂ emissions per kilogram of hydrogen produced.

In the new study, the researchers used a synthetic biology approach to convert a species of bacteria into a cellular ‘bionanoreactor’ to split water and produce hydrogen using sunlight. By generating a highly-efficient, stable and cost-effective catalyst, this overcomes one of the critical challenges that has been holding back green hydrogen to date.

Lead author Professor Wei Huang (Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford) said: ‘Currently, most commercially used catalysts for green hydrogen production rely on expensive metals. Our new study has provided a compelling alternative in the form of a robust and efficient biocatalyst. This has the advantages of greater safety, renewability, and lower production costs all of which can improve long-term economic viability.’

In nature, specific microorganisms can reduce protons (H+) to hydrogen (H₂) using hydrogenase enzymes, however this is limited to low yields due to constraints, such as low electron transfer rate. Up to now, this has prevented microorganisms from being used as effective hydrogen catalysts.

To overcome this, the Oxford researchers engineered the bacterium Shewanella oneidensis to concentrate electrons, protons, and hydrogenase in the space between the inner and outer membrane (known as the periplasmic space, 20-30 nm wide). This species is ‘electroactive’, meaning that it can transfer electrons to or from solid surfaces outside their cells.

To enhance electron and proton transfer, the team engineered a light activated electron pump (called Gloeobacter rhodopsin) onto the inner membrane, newly enabling it to efficiently pump protons into the periplasm in the presence of light. The Gloeobacter rhodopsin itself was engineered by the introduction of the pigment canthaxanthin (which absorbs light energy) to boost proton pumping by harvesting extra photon energy from sunlight. Additionally, nanoparticles of reduced graphene oxide and ferric sulfate were introduced to enhance the electron transfer. Finally, the hydrogenase enzyme in the periplasmic space was also overexpressed.

When the engineered S. oneidensis strain was exposed to electrons from an electrode, this achieved a ten-fold increase in hydrogen yield compared to a control, non-engineered strain.

Professor Wei Huang and his group explain the concept of producing hydrogen using bacterial nanoreactors.

First author of the study Weiming Tu, a DPhil candidate in Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science, said, ‘The natural periplasm of S. oneidensis offers an optimal nano-environment for hydrogen production, as it effectively ‘squeezes’ protons and electrons, thereby increasing the likelihood of their interactions within nanoscale spaces. Thermodynamically, this design results in a lower energy requirement for hydrogen production. This work is a good demonstration of engineering biology.’

Co-author Professor Ian Thompson (Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford) added: ‘Efficient, affordable, and safe green hydrogen production is a long-standing goal. Our bionanoreactor has suggested the potential of biocatalysts for clean energy production. The abiotic materials used in this work, including the graphene oxide and ferric sulfate nanoparticles, were synthesised by biological methods, making them more eco-friendly than traditional chemical approaches.’

According to the researchers, the system could be scaled up to produce ‘artificial leaves’, with the engineered cells printed onto carbon fibre cloth. When these artificial leaves are exposed to sunlight, they would immediately begin producing hydrogen. 

This work was published as the paper 'Engineering bionanoreactor in bacteria for efficient hydrogen production' in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. 

This advance builds on the expertise Professor Huang’s lab group have developed in sustainable synthetic biology. In 2023, his group achieved a world-first in successfully bio-engineering a non-photosynthetic bacterium (called Ralstonia eutropha) to become photosynthetic – a pivotal proof-of-concept for the field. Similar to the Shewanella hydrogen nanoreactors, this system used rhodopsin, but this time as a replacement for the pigment chlorophyll (which normally powers photosynthesis).

Their achievement led to follow-on funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Science and Technology Agency (JST) in Japan to further develop new artificial photosynthetic cell systems to enhance green biotechnology. Alongside Professor Hiroyuki Noji (The University of Tokyo), Professor Wei Huang is leading a collaboration of eight UK and Japanese Universities to research new sustainable methods to convert carbon dioxide into useful bioproducts (such as biodegradable plastic). Ultimately, this could provide sustainable sources of important products for a diverse range of industries including healthcare, biomanufacturing, and agriculture.

As COP29 gets underway this week (11 - 22 November 2024), we meet the Oxford undergraduate and graduate students who have travelled to Baku to take part in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, and find out what they think should be top of the agenda for decision-makers.

Benjamin Attia is a DPhil researcher in the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. His research focuses on improving the description and design of the global climate finance architecture by mapping climate finance flows to the Global South using network science methods.

He said: 'By any definition and under any climate or transition future, there is a massive and growing gap between climate finance flows from the Global North to the Global South and the climate finance needs of the South.

The negotiation of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance tops the agenda for negotiated outcomes of COP29, with key debates around how much the target should be, what kinds of capital should be in scope, who should pay and how that is determined, and what counts towards the target.

Ultimately the setting and implementation of the NCQG is about addressing both climate justice and energy inequality. I hope to see the new target include a number that starts with a 'T' and not a 'B', and for it to account for debt constraints and limited fiscal space of recipients, require more effective crowd-in of private sector investors, and allocate much more concessional capital.'

Ushika Kidd is a third-year undergraduate Human Scientist focusing on the interface between the climate crisis and health, and co-President of Oxford Climate Society, where she actions her beliefs in interdisciplinary education and grassroots-level collaboration – both of which are powerful enablers to platform local organisations and intersectional perspectives.

She said: 'At COP29 I will be representing student and youth voices, being a key point of contact between researchers in the Oxford delegation and other groups including the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate.

I aim to utilise my experience in environmental journalism to facilitate climate literacy and on-the-ground transparency about key COP29 processes and outcomes through articles and Oxford social media channels so we can push for ambitious global climate finance targets.'

Natasha Lutz is a DPhil student in the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford. Her research uses remote sensing and machine learning to investigate how ecosystem structure and functioning change in response to increased drought and fire occurrence in the temperate and savanna ecosystems of Australia and the Brazilian Cerrado. At COP29 Natasha will be leading an Australian youth delegation to attend and participate in COP29, through Australian Youth for International Climate Engagement (AYFICE). 

She said: 'The first global stocktake at COP28 last year highlighted the gap between current emissions reductions and the levels required, with shortfalls in both policy ambition and implementation.

I'm hoping some agreement can be made to mobilise sufficient funding for affected countries and communities through the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance as this is key for creating enabling environments for successful policy implementation. 

Additionally, I am hopeful for progress in the Article 6 negotiations - the use of carbon markets remains a messy space, and clearer guidance under Article 6 is needed.'

As Oxford’s new academic year gets underway, we take a closer look at an award-winning teaching module that brings students face-to-face with real-world high-stakes decisions. 

What would you do if there was a sudden nuclear threat from North Korea and you were responsible for deciding how your country responded? At Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government, Master of Public Policy (MPP) students tackle this challenge head-on in the 'North Korea Crisis Simulation' – an immersive teaching module that represents an innovative approach to teaching public policy.

The one-year postgraduate degree is designed to equip future leaders with practical skills for public policy practice. Its students come from around the world – last year hailing from 58 different countries and diverse backgrounds such as government, NGOs, journalism and academia.

The simulation, which was recognised earlier this year by the Vice-Chancellor’s ‘Innovative Teaching and Assessment’ Award, plunges the MPP students into a complex economic, political, and military crisis on the Korean peninsula; testing their ability to make high-stakes decisions, balance national priorities, manage security concerns, and collaborate with international partners under extreme pressure – all within a world marked by interconnected crises and rising geopolitical competition.

The simulation is the brainchild of Professor Tom Simpson, who has first-hand experience of complex military situations, having served as an officer with the Royal Marine Commandos for five years. It incorporates elements of a ‘war game’, imitating a geopolitical crisis scenario where participants’ actions impact the options available to others.

This simulation challenges students to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills, pushing them to perform under high-stakes conditions.

It provides a deeply immersive experience that evolves based on their decisions, enhancing their understanding of national power dynamics. So our students are gaining invaluable insights into real-world policymaking and developing skills directly applicable to their future careers. 

Professor Tom Simpson, Blavatnik School of Government

Split into six teams or countries – USA, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and North Korea – the students operate from meticulously designed ‘situation rooms’ complete with national flags, authentic snacks, and tailored props such as national seals on stationery, badges, and door plaques, as well as portraits of national leaders. The rooms are equipped with a bespoke communications suite, giving students the ability to receive recordings and live broadcasts from the dedicated Green Room.

In the weeks leading up to the simulation, MPP students receive detailed background briefings and in-depth reading assignments and research into the history of the crisis, the political, economic, and cultural characteristics of the countries in the region, and the national interests of the six countries involved. But it’s not until 24 hours before the exercise itself begins, when they are presented with confidential instructions, that they learn what their individual roles in the simulation will be. And then, at the start of the simulation, they finally learn about the crisis that is unfolding.

Aoife, a student from Northern Ireland who was assigned the role of the Chief of Staff to the President of the USA said: ‘I got to be a decision-maker at the epicentre of the simulation, which taught me a lot about teamwork, how to handle pressure, and the importance of maintaining focus on your ultimate goal.’

She also reflected on the challenges of working collaboratively in such a pressured environment: ‘It was really eye-opening to be thrown into a scenario where you have only limited information, there’s mistrust across teams, but the stakes are so high that you know you have to find a way of working together.’

The scenario is managed on the ground by an ‘Exercise Control Team’ comprising Blavatnik teaching staff, comprising a former Assistant Director of the IMF, a professional diplomat and experts on North Korea. They present the participants with team-specific interventions that require real-time reactions, ensuring they consider a wide range of actions – diplomatic, political, economic, military, cyber and intelligence.

While fictional, events in the simulation closely resemble real-world occurrences, such as the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea, financial turbulence, and gunfire in the Demilitarised Zone, to emphasise the complexities of real-world decision-making.

Erik, a Ukrainian MPP student, reflected: ‘The most valuable lessons were about teamwork under immense time pressure and responsibility; organising team efforts, balancing each member's involvement with the need to make quick decisions, effectively delegating tasks, and strategic action planning. I learned the importance of being ready to pursue moderate goals, as aiming for maximalist objectives can lead to counterproductive results.’

The award-winning ‘North Korea Crisis Simulation’ is one example of an immersive teaching method that has long been championed by the Blavatnik School’s Case Centre on Public Leadership, which develops teaching materials for public leaders at all career stages, thrusting them into the heart of a range of crises and challenges around the globe. The North Korea Crisis Simulation module has been made freely available for other schools of public policy to download here.