Experts from across the University are taking part in this year’s United Nations climate change conference, COP31, in Antalya, Türkiye.
Worawith Ounpeng via Getty Images
The global summit, running from 9 to 20 November, is attended by national leaders, policy makers, academics and activists from around the world.
Conference sessions
A delegation of Edinburgh experts, including academics and students, is representing the University at the conference. They will contribute to policy discussions, develop partnerships and identify opportunities for further research, collaboration and funding.
Among the sessions involving University experts is a roundtable discussion on climate disinformation and AI, which will include Professor Margaret Graham, Director of the Edinburgh Earth Initiative (EEI).
Professor Liz Grant, Director of the Global Health Academy, will also take part in a roundtable hosted by Koç University Suna & İnan Kıraç Research Centre for Mediterranean Civilizations (AKMED).
Elsewhere, Professor Neil Robertson, Chair of Molecular Materials and Dean International Partnerships, will be a panellist on an event about higher education and public trust.
Dr Lucy Wishart, Lecturer in Circular Economy and Sustainable Transformations, will also participate in several sessions related to circular economy and sustainability.
Advancing Action: COP 31
Academics have also contributed to a publication capturing how Edinburgh is using its research, innovation and thought-leadership to address issues being discussed at COP31.
Explore Advancing Action: Research and reflections for COP 31 and the future to discover some of the practical solutions, partnerships and policy insights shaping global climate action, with a special focus on the circular economy – a core agenda item at this year’s COP.
Tackling the climate and environmental emergencies is one of our three core missions. We’re driving systemic change across six pillars:
- Transitioning Energy, Industry, and Transport
- Stewarding Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity
- Transforming Agriculture and Food Systems
- Building Resilience for Cities, Infrastructure, and Water
- Fostering Human and Social Development
- Unleashing Enablers and Accelerators
This collection of 14 thought pieces from University of Edinburgh experts reflects the depth and breadth of Edinburgh’s transdisciplinary research and innovation expertise in climate and environment. Contributors include Professor Louise Horsfall, Earth Champion: Circular Economy, Head of the Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and Earth Champion for Circular Economy at the University and Professor Ronan Bolton, Earth Champion: Clean Energy Systems, Personal Chair of Sustainable Energy.
Sustainability strategy
The publication also highlights the University of Edinburgh’s sector-leading Regenerative Sustainability commitments.
Launched in March 2026, the strategy outlines an achievable, science-based approach to go beyond minimising harm and proactively restore natural systems for the benefit of both nature and people – committing the University to net negative carbon across all emissions, including international student travel and investments, and to ecologically regenerating an area five times the size of our campuses.
