The academic engagement team at the CCE is building an international network of leading academics working on effective governance, law and policy to drive corporate climate action. We work with researchers at all stages of their career to help communicate their insights to board members, lawyers, policy makers, and practitioners through a range of events and publications.
We support academics who show thought leadership, insight and high-quality evidence to reach our international network of board members, lawyers, policy makers, and practitioners. These networks have been developed through the CCE programmes: Chapter Zero, the Climate Governance Initiative, Law for Climate Action and Climate Policy.
As part of Hughes Hall’s Bridge Initiative, we bridge between academia and boardrooms as well as across multiple academic disciplines and professional practices. In this we serve as a hub of knowledge for corporate climate governance to;
- Convene thought leaders globally;
- Disseminate findings and bring best evidence and thinking to bear on corporate climate governance;
- Leverage evidence-based research and interventions for pragmatic climate action on boards and within corporations.
Our approach seeks to foster:
- Collaborative, multidisciplinary, accessible research
- Regional insights around the globe, transnational exchange and understanding
- Convening that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
We welcome approaches from individuals and groups who wish to join us in this work.
Engaging with academics
The Centre is part of numerous engagement platforms at the University of Cambridge, including:
Cambridge Zero
The Centre is part of the University wide efforts to address climate change.
Cambridge Zero Policy Forum
The Centre, in partnership with the Centre for Science and Policy, provides the secretariat for the Cambridge Zero Policy Forum. The Cambridge Zero Policy Forum is a multidisciplinary community of academics contributing evidence and expertise to public policies for the transition to a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient net zero society.
Related content
Event Summary: What is the future for Climate Action? Alumni Festival event with John Elkington
10 October 2024
On 27 September, the Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) at Hughes Hall hosted an event focused on the growing awareness of climate change and the responses from societies, governments, and businesses. Part of the University of Cambridge Alumni Festival, this session was led by Emily Farnworth, Director of the CCE, in discussion with John Elkington, a best-selling author and renowned “green business guru.” More →
Jessica Crow joins the Centre for Climate Engagement as new Hoffmann Fellow
14 August 2024
The Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) at Hughes Hall is delighted to announce the appointment of Jessica Crow as the incoming Cambridge Hoffmann Fellow in Global Climate Governance, with the World Economic Forum and Hughes Hall. More →
Video: New groundbreaking lecture featuring Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization
05 August 2024
On 19 July 2024, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, delivered the third University of Cambridge Lecture on Globalisation, Sustainability, and the Power of Ideas. She was joined by Sir Laurie Bristow, Hughes Hall President, alongside scholars from across the University including Dr Jellie Molino, Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Centre for Climate Engagement, based at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge. More →
Professor Harro van Asselt, University of Cambridge
09 July 2024
The Centre for Climate Engagement’s spotlight interview series explores law for climate change through the lens of a range of experts.Professor Harro van Asselt holds the Hatton Professorship in Climate Law at the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow at Hughes Hall. We asked him to share his research and his experiences as he approaches the end of his first year in Cambridge. More →
Press release: Launch of Law & Climate Atlas US helps lawyers drive transition to net zero
29 May 2024
The Law & Climate Atlas US is a free online resource which shows how climate change is shaping different areas of law, and how these areas might help drive climate action. Developed by the Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) based at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, in partnership with the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance (NZLA), the US Atlas covers multiple areas of the law, including human rights, securities and finance, tort, contract, international trade, taxation and supply chain considerations. More →
Leadership insight: Theories of change for corporate climate action
23 April 2024
This leadership insight with Simon Glynn provides an in-depth analysis of why, and how, companies and boards should use a theory of change approach to drive meaningful climate and sustainability impact for their stakeholders. He argues that a focus on risk management alone is insufficient, and that boards must grasp the essence of impact to navigate the uncertainties of climate action to ensure a sustainable and resilient business model. More →
Press Release: The Centre for Climate Engagement launches new Law and Climate Atlas for COP28
12 December 2023
The Centre for Climate Change Engagement (CCE), based at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, launched its Law and Climate Atlas during COP27 last year. Now in time for COP28, it is releasing an updated and expanded version: https://lawclimateatlas.org. More →
Video: Professor Robert Eccles on the Politicisation of ESG
10 November 2023
The Centre had the honour of hosting Professor Robert Eccles and welcoming over 100 academics, practitioners, and students in attendance for a public lecture on the politicisation of ESG. More →
Expert Briefing: Air pollution, health risks and climate change
14 September 2023
Air pollution is estimated to be responsible for around 28,000 premature deaths in the UK each year. Extreme heat associated with climate change can increase pollution levels and exacerbates the health effects of breathing polluted air. This briefing explores the links between climate change, air pollution and health and the need for a holistic approach to policy development. More →
Expert Briefing: Planning law, levelling-up, and net zero
07 July 2023
Policy Briefing by Dr Samuel Ruiz-Tagle on Planning Law, Levelling-up and Net Zero: Empowering planning authorities to combat climate change More →
Normative accounting for intangibles – a briefing for board directors from Rethinking Capital
05 July 2023
A briefing note for non-executive directors and boards on applying normative accounting for intangibles in net zero transition decision governance and reporting More →
Summary Report: International Conference on ESG and Climate Governance
30 June 2023
The International Conference on ESG and Climate Governance – a collaboration between Sim Kee Boon Institute (SKBI) for Financial Economics at Singapore Management University, the Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, and the Climate Governance… More →
Regional Summary: Middle East
28 June 2023
With COP28 taking place in the Middle East in December 2023, there has been a sharp increase in climate-related commitments in the region. A key priority is to diversify the local economy to reduce reliance on oil and gas. Start-ups and family-owned businesses are benefitting with many choosing to go public to access finance – a move which is accompanied by increased ESG reporting requirements and new responsibilities for board directors. More →
Speaker Summary: Cristián Rodríguez-Chiffelle
28 June 2023
Cristian Rodriguez Chiffelle, resident visiting scholar and Luksic Fellow at Harvard University’s David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies , delved into Emerging Markets (EMs) and the contribution of green investment to overcome environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges. Policy, scientific advancements and shareholder activism all play a significant role in shaping climate action and investment within business. Responsibilities of the Board of Directors are now considered to include assessment of climate risk and climate disclosure. More →
Speaker Summary: Professor Enase Okonedo
28 June 2023
Professor Enase Okonedo, from Pan-Atlantic University, discussed the varying levels of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) awareness and implementation in Africa. Despite Africa’s vulnerability to climate change, local progress has been held back by economic development concerns and the region’s reliance on extractive industries. Recent progress has been driven by financial pressure, though ESG efforts lack a unified approach and there is a need for ESG standards to be adapted to regional and local contexts. More →
Speaker Summary: Professor Rajiv Lall
28 June 2023
Rajiv Lall, Professorial Research Fellow at the Singapore Green Finance Centre, spoke about practical implications of climate liability drawing on his research experience and on years working at international financial institutions. The presentation explored the links between climate change law and broader behavioural changes on boards, and the need to consider corporate pathways to net zero within a wider context. More →
Speaker Summary: Professor Umakanth Varottil
28 June 2023
Umakanth Varottil, Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law, outlined how climate change liability is, and will, be impacting board directors in Asia. The presentation made clear that Asian countries take a diverse range of approaches to climate governance which directors should bear in mind when considering their own liability. Across the region, there has been a growth in substantive laws relating to climate change that has not yet been matched by strong enforcement mechanisms. More →
Speaker Summary: Professor Sherwat Elwan Ibrahim
28 June 2023
Professor Sherwat Elwan Ibrahim, from the American University in Cairo, presented key insights into the evolving landscape of ESG within supply chain management and outsourcing. She discussed the decoupling of finance from innovation and the changing nature of business models, which should direct the way business is taught in higher education. More →
Speaker Summary: Dr Emily Webster(†)
28 June 2023
Dr Emily Webster, Assistant Professor in Environmental Law at the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, discussed the uncertainties and inconsistencies in the regulatory and policy landscape and how these can act as a barrier to board-level action on climate change. These barriers exist both within and across jurisdictions. For example, the landscape for mandatory disclosure has evolved rapidly in recent years, and indications are that it will continue to do so. Greater clarity on directors’ duties to take substantive action on climate change is needed if this is to be a significant driver for board-level action going forward. More →
Regional Summary: Europe
28 June 2023
High-level net zero ambition has resulted in rapid, and sometimes piecemeal, regulatory development in Europe, which looks set to continue for many years to come. The impacts of regulation are also being felt increasingly beyond the continent’s boundaries. This makes Europe a complex environment in which to operate, requiring directors to continually engage and educate themselves on climate risks and opportunities, and the associated responsibilities of the board and individual board directors. More →
Speaker Summary: Professor Simon Learmount
28 June 2023
Simon Learmount, Associate Professor from the University of Cambridge, explored the feelings in European boardrooms regarding ESG: it is here to stay. With the mindset that ‘what gets measured gets done’, ESG has fundamentally changed the attitudes of companies, and specifically boards, towards environmental stewardship. The complex, and rapidly evolving, regulatory landscape for ESG across Europe is driving important shifts in corporate strategy and governance, with company directors feeling increasing personal responsibility for the risks that their organisations bear. More →
Speaker Summary: Dr Fay Abdulla al Khalifa
28 June 2023
Dr Fay Abdulla al Khalifa, from the University of Bahrain, highlighted the need to adapt ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) frameworks to the hydrocarbon-based economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. ESG challenges in the region include the need for economic diversification away from oil and gas, greater proactive stakeholder engagement at the board level, and a need to balance the historical context of oil and gas development with the current climate crisis, while maintaining socio-economic stability and well-governed systems in the region. Dr Abdulla al Khalifa suggested two solutions to these challenges: practical education for board members and incorporation of academic and scientific expertise into board thinking to enhance development of ESG strategy. More →
Regional Summary: Asia-Pacific
28 June 2023
The incredible diversity of political regimes and legal frameworks across Asia-Pacific, coupled with varied levels of economic development, have resulted in a complex patchwork of sustainability regulation in the region. Requirements are increasingly mandatory, with potentially tough penalties for directors, though the enforcement landscape is still unclear. More →
Speaker Summary: Professor Ivan Diaz-Rainey
28 June 2023
In this presentation, Ivan Diaz-Raney, Professor of Finance at Griffith University, explained how carbon metrics impact businesses, and how this links to climate risks and opportunities. Professor Diaz-Raney explained some difficulties in emissions reporting and net zero commitments and whether they fully capture corporate climate strategy. Risks and opportunities were another key theme, as directors must understand both sides of the coin when navigating their business through the climate crisis. More →
Slingshot