From insight to impact:
Knowledge and networks to drive climate action.
The Centre for Climate Engagement plays a unique role in bringing leading academic research and expert practitioner insights on climate law, policy and governance to senior decision makers in the legal, business, finance and policy-making communities. As a Bridge Initiative at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, CCE is uniquely positioned at the intersection of research and practice.
Our work supports emerging research in climate law, policy, governance, and organisational change, providing evidence-based analysis tailored to decision-makers. This research is conducted both directly by postdoctoral researchers and through collaborations with academic and industry experts.
Our vision and mission
Our vision is a world where governments and businesses have the legal, policy and governance frameworks required for meaningful, rapid climate action. Our mission is to identify and communicate how law, policy and organisational culture can be applied or improved to support better climate decision making across sectors.
CCE’s strategy is grounded in a clear theory of change. It recognises that law, policy and culture are powerful drivers of climate action, and that close collaboration between researchers and practitioners is essential to turning evidence into workable solutions. Those solutions then need to be tested, refined and supported through practical tools, training and implementation guidance. Finally, strong networks and meaningful public engagement are critical to scaling impact and building the legitimacy needed for lasting change.
“CCE was founded on a simple insight: brilliant climate research has little impact unless the people who make decisions can act on it. Today, as political and economic pressures mount, our role has never been more essential. We invite partners to join us at a pivotal moment, to ensure that knowledge becomes action, and action becomes lasting change.”
Dr Paul Jefferiss, Director of the Centre for Climate Engagement
Our story
The Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) was established seven years ago as one of three Bridge Initiatives at Hughes Hall, with initial funding from the Hatton and Conduit Trusts. Its founders, Dr Ron Zimmern and Julie Baddeley, recognised a gap in boardroom engagement with the climate agenda, particularly among listed companies. While some boards were actively addressing the issue, many had yet to prioritise it, and in some cases, climate discussions had not taken place at all.
CCE’s purpose was to translate academic research on climate law and policy for non-executive directors (NEDs) of major companies, helping strengthen corporate climate governance. It initially developed guidance, tools and training for Chapter Zero (CZ), the UK network of NEDs focused on climate. In parallel, CCE helped create and support the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI), an international network of NED chapters developed with the World Economic Forum. CCE provided the core infrastructure and research translation that enabled both networks to grow rapidly.
In early 2025, the CCE underwent a major transition. CGI separated from Hughes Hall to become an independent charity, now called the Chapter Zero Alliance (CZA), led by former CCE Director Emily Farnworth. The research-translation function of the original CCE remains at Hughes Hall under new Director, Dr Paul Jefferiss.
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