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The Association of Commonwealth Universities | ACU
Universities for our planet

A showcase for universities – and the people within them – to demonstrate how they are spearheading critical approaches to tackling climate change.

Climate change is the biggest threat to humanity. As we face increasing climate concerns, universities are spearheading critical research and technological innovation, facilitating and disseminating essential learning, teaching the next generation of climate experts, supporting wider communities with outreach programmes, protecting vulnerable ecosystems, and more.

Universities are uniting for everyone, everywhere. They are uniting for the small island states facing rising sea levels, for the nations in the global south, for the farmers adapting to higher levels of rainfall - and for the person reading this. 

#UnisForOurPlanet was a campaign to show how universities – and the people within them – are uniting to tackle climate change. In the lead up to the COP26 conference, we collated stories from ACU members to highlight the important work happening across the Commonwealth. 

Explore the climate action stories below. 

Changemakers

Get to know the universities, researchers and students driving change. 

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Climate change adaptation strategies in the Caribbean

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Integrating indigenous knowledge for climate change adaptation in academia: Dr Sandeeka Mannakkara

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Helping coastal communities build resilience to climate change

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Documenting the effects of climate change on tourism in Kenya

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Climate change virtual visiting fellowship: sharing knowledge across borders

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Can small islands be sustainable?

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Making Climate education accessible to all: The Chinese University of Hong Kong

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UK universities team up for clean air and better public health: The University of Birmingham

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Using insects to fight food insecurity: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

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Climate justice for Vanniyalaththo: the tragic tale of the men of the jungle in Sri Lanka

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How the sun and buildings can save the world

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Tackling climate change and addressing social inequality: cases from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Ghana

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From the frontlines of climate change: a perspective on climate justice

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Beyond the technical aspects of sustainable urban development: Stakeholders’ different mindsets

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Sustainability starts with the community

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Narratives of the Blue Economy

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Turning the tide against ocean pollution and climate change

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Earth Ambassadeurs: ‘7Rs’ at a glance

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Changing our relationship with the blue planet: Freya Croft

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Climate action for women, by women: Mrs Mavis Akuffobea-Essilfie

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Lifting voices in the fight against climate change: Dr Mercy Derkyi

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Building climate resilience, one community at a time: Dr Catherine Abiola Akinbami

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We need to rethink the global waste trade: Dr Takunda Chitaka

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Finding local solutions to global problems: Dr Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent

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Turning the tide against marine plastics pollution: Rufino Varea

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Simon Kiongo: transforming food security in agricultural communities and beyond

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Bridging cultural divides to build plastics-free communities: Dr Isabel Richter

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