Universities expected to solve climate change

New poll shows nearly two-thirds of adults (61%) expect global research universities, such as the University of Cambridge, to come up with new innovations that will help to reduce the effects of climate change.
Alternative fuels for cars and planes, improved batteries and capturing more carbon will have the greatest impact on climate change, the UK public believe.
Respondents want the government to listen to universities when making climate policy, ahead of all other interest groups tested.

Nearly two-thirds (61%) of adults say they expect global research universities, such as the University of Cambridge, to come up with new technologies and innovations that will help to reduce the effects of climate change, according to new polling released today.

This is ahead of the government (47%) and private sector businesses (46%).

Findings demonstrate just how important the public believe research universities are in the fight against climate change, developing innovations to head off the looming climate and nature crises.

A scientist at The Maxwell Centre, University of Cambridge, where world-leading, innovative research is carried out to support the sustainability agenda.

Collecting seagrass seed, as part of the Endangered Land & Seascape Programme at the University of Cambridge

Respondents said that over the next 50 years the most important steps to take were investments into new low-carbon energy infrastructure (59%), action by businesses to reduce their impact on the environment (52%) and government funding to support research into new technologies (50%).

The poll results showed that the public thinks the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (38%), alongside the development of alternative fuels for cars and aircraft (37%) and better batteries (30%) that store larger amounts of energy are the most pressing problems.

“Cambridge has hundreds of projects addressing the climate and nature crises from fundamental scientific and technological research to policy and public engagement. Nurturing an ecosystem which allows our colleagues to work on these urgent issues is a key part of our mission to contribute to society.”

- Bhaskar Vira, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Environmental Sustainability

One of the major challenges facing the world in the fight against climate change is the lack of progress in developing alternative fuels for cars and aircraft. Electric alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles are often more expensive than their fossil-fuelled counterparts and are experiencing a slower than necessary rollout.

The University of Cambridge, through the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) is engaged in research to support industry in the development of a more sustainable aviation sector. The global aviation industry now contributes 2-3% of annual CO2 emissions with the true climate impact being up to 4% when non-CO2 emissions such as contrails are considered.

The AIA develops evidence-based tools that provide decision-makers in Government, industry and civil society with the insight necessary to map, understand, and embark on the pathways towards sustainable aviation.

Professor Rob Miller stands in front of a plane

Professor Rob Miller, one of the authors of the report, “Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation,” created by the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA)

“Aviation stands at a pivotal moment, much like the automotive industry in the late 2000s. Back then, discussions centered around biofuels as the replacement for petrol and diesel - until Tesla revolutionised the future with electric vehicles. Our five-year plan is designed to accelerate this decision point in aviation, setting it on a path to achieve net-zero by 2050”

- Professor Rob Miller, Director, Whittle Lab and one of the authors of the report, “Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation,”

Professor Dame Clare Grey in her laboratory

Professor Dame Clare Grey, co-founder of Nyobolt which spun out of her lab in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.

Cambridge is also working to solve one of the biggest technological puzzles to creating a new low-carbon energy infrastructure: how to build next-generation batteries that could power a green revolution.

Professor Dame Clare Grey’s research group in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at Cambridge is conducting research on materials that could be used in a range of different next-generation batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors that will provide the backbone for our energy infrastructure.

One innovation that has spun out of Professor Grey’s lab includes Nyobolt, a fast-charging battery for cars that is smaller, lighter, charges fasters and holds a substantially larger charge than what is currently available on the market.

“Universities need to be coming up with answers for ten to 15 years from now – we’re the ones who are best placed to innovate, think creatively and generate radical, new solutions”

- Professor Dame Clare Grey, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry and co-founder of Nyobolt

Respondents also believe that carbon removal from the atmosphere is a key priority. Cambridge is working on innovative technology for carbon drawdown, but research shows the planet’s most effective carbon removal agent is still nature.

Cambridge initiatives such as Cambridge Conservation Initiative, the Conservation Research Institute and the Centre for Landscape Regeneration are addressing biodiversity loss, boosting the power of nature to sequester carbon and cut global greenhouse gas emissions in projects across the planet.

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^{Published 21 October 2024}

About the Polling
Public First surveyed 2,003 respondents from 11th September 2024 to 17th September 2024 as part of its Omnibus survey.
All results are weighted using Iterative Proportional Fitting, or 'Raking'. The results are weighted by interlocking age & gender, region and social grade to Nationally Representative Proportions. The weighted results tables can be found on the Public First website.
Public First is a member of the British Polling Council (BPC) and Market Research Society and abides by their rules. For more information please contact the Public First polling team: polling@publicfirst.co.uk

Photography credits:
Collecting seagrass: Luke Helmer
Professor Rob Miller: CISL
Professor Dame Clare Grey: Gabriella Bocchetti

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