Our engagement with independent directors, business leaders, academic and industry experts repeatedly highlights the importance of clear, consistent and stable policy frameworks to support and accelerate climate action.
The Centre collaborates across the University of Cambridge to engage with national, regional and local policymakers to inform and encourage development of policies and initiatives to accelerate climate action, with a particular focus on climate governance and law for climate action.
At a local level, we are exploring local authority planning laws, powers and barriers to the net zero transition and ways in which to overcome these barriers.
In partnership with the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP), we run the secretariat for the Cambridge Zero Policy Forum, a multidisciplinary community of senior academics contributing evidence and expertise to public policies for the transition to a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient net zero society.
Related content
CCE thanks eleven interns for their work on climate projects
23 September 2025
The Centre for Climate Engagement at Hughes Hall was delighted to welcome eleven interns who contributed to various climate focused projects over the summer of 2025, working in Cambridge and remotely. The internship scheme, now in its fourth year, saw… More →
September policy briefing for Chapter Zero’s network of UK Board Directors
09 September 2025
As a knowledge partner for Chapter Zero, the Centre for Climate Engagement prepared a briefing to highlight the key developments in UK climate policy from April to September 2025, with relevance for non-executive directors (NEDs). More →
Policy briefing: How the ICJ’s advisory opinion could reshape corporate climate risk
31 July 2025
This policy briefing written by Nick Scott and Aastha Kapoor explores the implications of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion on states’ climate obligations, issued in July 2025. More →
CCE responds to UK Government Consultation on Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets
17 July 2025
The Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) has submitted a response to the UK Government’s consultation on voluntary carbon and nature markets, which seeks to clarify and test the UK Government’s proposed policy and governance framework for helping to ensure the… More →
Event summary: Cambridge Zero Community Day
10 July 2025
For the first time, the Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) participated in the annual Cambridge Zero Community Day. The event was open to the public, with participation from environmental and community organisations from across Cambridge. The event Throughout the day,… More →
Labour’s first year in government: Where does climate policy stand?
08 July 2025
This week marks one year since Labour’s election victory — a key moment to assess how far the Government has come in delivering on its climate and environmental commitments. In this blog, lead author Sofie Surraco reflects on the progress… More →
Press release: CCE Poll – Who should lead on climate action?
02 July 2025
Over 60% say Government should lead on climate action, CCE poll of 3.9k reveals Polling conducted by the Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) at Hughes Hall reveals that more than 60% of respondents believe the Government should take the lead… More →
Dr Karen Barrass represents CCE’s LDC project at Daring Cities conference in Bonn
17 June 2025
Dr Karen Barrass, nominated as Head of the University of Cambridge delegation, will represent the Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) at the Daring Cities 2025 conference in Bonn. More →
Global Fossil Fuel Phasedown and its Implications for Australia
04 June 2025
In December 2024, Melbourne Climate Futures and the University of Cambridge co-hosted a high-level roundtable to examine how a global fossil fuel phasedown could shape Australia’s policy landscape. The Centre for Climate Engagement was represented by Advisory Group Co-Chair Professor Harro van Asselt, with Law for Climate Action Manager Nick Scott attending and authoring a report on the discussions. More →
2025 CCE and CGI Summer Internship Programme
24 April 2025
The Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) is offering a wide range of internship opportunities for Summer 2025. Now in its fourth year of running, we are delighted to open our applications for this year’s programme. More →
Policy briefing for Chapter Zero’s network of UK Board Directors
20 March 2025
As a knowledge partner for Chapter Zero, the Centre for Climate Engagement prepared a briefing to highlight the key developments in UK climate policy from January to March 2025, with relevance for non-executive directors (NEDs). This briefing, and the corresponding Deep Dive resource exploring some of these policy areas in more detail, are part of CCE’s ongoing series of policy content with Chapter Zero. More →
CCE responds to UN Consultation on a Fossil Fuel-based Economy and Human Rights
19 March 2025
The CCE at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, has submitted a response to a consultation launched by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on a Fossil Fuel-based Economy and Human Rights. More →
CCE responds to HM Treasury’s UK Green Taxonomies Consultation
05 March 2025
The Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, has submitted a response to HM Treasury’s UK Green Taxonomy Consultation, drawing on its expertise in climate law and governance. Authored by Nick Scott and Sofie Surraco, the response provides insights on the taxonomy’s role in supporting a sustainable financial system More →
Expert Insight: Greenhouse Gas Removals
30 January 2025
Greenhouse gas removal (GGR) is an essential part of achieving global climate goals, complementing emissions reduction to limit warming and build climate resilience. This Expert Insight explores the role of GGR in the net zero transition, the different solutions available… More →
News: Law and Climate Atlas marks milestone of 15k views with UK and US expansion
23 January 2025
The Law and Climate Atlas is a guide to the evolving relationship between law and climate action. This free and comprehensive digital resource maps how various areas of law in the UK and the US are shaping—and being shaped by—climate… More →
Blog: As international progress stalls once again, looking locally offers promise
12 December 2024
COP29 has faced significant criticism for its failure to deliver progress that matches the urgency and scale of the climate crisis. As global negotiations continue to fall short, Senior Researcher Dr Karen Barrass explores the vital role and implications of local climate action in this blog. More →
Webinar: Academic Colloquium for High Level Champion Event at COP29
22 November 2024
Academic experts on SMEs and climate change engaged in an online discussion in October 2024 with insights collated by Dr Eldrid Herrington, Head of Academic Engagement at the CCE to inform COP29 discussions. More →
Policy briefing for board directors: post-Budget update
20 November 2024
As a knowledge partner of Chapter Zero, the Centre for Climate Engagement has written a briefing for board directors highlighting key climate policy updates from October and November 2024, including the UK International Investment Summit, Autumn Budget, COP29, and the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech. More →
Policy briefing: CCE partners with the Cambridge Zero Policy Forum to launch economic policy report
24 October 2024
As a partner of the Cambridge Zero Policy Forum, the Centre for Climate Engagement is pleased to support the launch of a new report: Is reaching net zero a growth and prosperity plan? Economics, tools and actions for a rapidly changing world. With a focus on the fundamental importance of policy in activating the green transition, the report explores how the UK’s current models for economic growth and development can, and must, be transformed to ensure the delivery of a competitive and coordinated green investment strategy. 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 →
Policy Insight: CCE releases policy briefing following UK General Election
16 July 2024
As a knowledge partner for Chapter Zero in the UK, the Centre for Climate Engagement has prepared a briefing for board directors on the new government’s climate policies. The briefing explores some of the Labour Party’s key climate policy commitments according to its 2024 Manifesto and potential implications for corporate boards and net zero transition planning. More →
Consultation Response: OHCHR Call for Input – Climate Change and the Right to Education for Girls
24 June 2024
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recently issued a call for input to prepare a report on how climate change impacts the realization of the right to education for girls. Our response was written by Léa Weimann, a PhD student from the University of Cambridge Faculty of Law and Sofie Surraco from the CCE, with review support provided by the Global Pact Coalition. More →
News: Academy of Social Sciences publishes CCE ‘Empowering Communities’ blog
13 June 2024
The Academy of Social Science (ACSS) has been running an Election 24 project which foregrounds social science perspectives on key policy issues ahead of this year’s UK General Election. This recently featured a blog written by Senior Researcher, Sophy Bristow, on Empowering communities: the importance of local action in the transition to net zero. More →
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