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Taking the
initiative on
Methane
emissions,
Earth
observation,
Marine
biodiversity,
Global
peatlands,
Carbon
sequestration,
Climate
& health,
Climate
adaptation,
Energy
systems,
Climate
anxiety,
Climate
data,
Climate
finance,
Net zero
cities,

Taking the initiative on climate and health

Climate change is the single, greatest threat to humanity with many impacts on human health. Here at University of Edinburgh, we are undertaking vital, interconnected and interdisciplinary research to address the complex, intersecting drivers of climate and health globally.

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Air pollution poses a grave risk to the environment and the health and wellbeing of societies across the world. Driven by emissions from factories, industries, households, and vehicle exhaust, air pollution is the leading cause of multiple chronic and acute respiratory illnesses and disorders, ranging from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, stroke, and ischaemic heart diseases.

Air Pollution

Disease

Heat

Food

Adaptation, Data, Equity and Justice

Knowledge for urgent climate action

The Edinburgh Earth Initiative is accelerating the University of Edinburgh’s response to the climate crisis. Working with our academics, students, staff, and partners, we help ensure the University of Edinburgh is at the leading edge of climate research, teaching, innovation and action.

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Rooted in a commitment to justice and equity – the University of Edinburgh’s engagement with climate and ecological emergency is built around three core pillars: land and marine based ecosystems; global energy futures; and health in a warming world.

Core themes

Global Energy Futures

Health

Land & Seas

Research & Impact

The Edinburgh Earth Initiative works to inform action with real-world impact. We create opportunities for academics, students, partners and supporters.

Research

The Edinburgh Earth Initiative works to establish common ground for climate research and action across the natural, physical, biomedical, and social sciences, the arts and humanities.

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Innovation

The Edinburgh Earth Initiative works to ensure positive climate impact is core to the University of Edinburgh’s innovation ecosystem by supporting industry and government partnerships, and by fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial culture among staff and students.

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Partnerships

The Edinburgh Earth Initiative works to build enduring and equitable global partnerships that make significant contributions to climate and environmental challenges. We support collaborations across the world and work with regional teams across Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and South East Asia.

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Students

The University of Edinburgh provides transformative learning opportunities for students to engage with and devise solutions to climate and environmental change. From fellowship programmes to scholarships – we believe in the power of education to address global challenges.

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Scientist Nacim Guellati taking a eDNA sample in Antarctica.
Visitor at sign CO2 at the agriculture section of the Gruene Woche.
Rooftops from the crowded city of Dhaka
Video testimonies of people taking action against climate change shown at an exhibition

Get
Involved

There are a number of opportunities for you to get involved in the work of the Edinburgh Earth Initiative.

As a small islander, Edinburgh University was where I connected with people from all over the world who genuinely urged for urgent and ambitious climate action.

Ulfath Ibrahim

Special Envoy Office for Climate Change of the Maldives,
University of Edinburgh Graduate 2021⁠⁠-⁠22

Support our work

Join us in partnership to deliver urgent, equitable, and innovative solutions to our most pressing climate and sustainability challenges.

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