Our Impact
From Insight to Impact:
knowledge and networks to drive climate action
The Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) is the “oil in the machine” that enables climate action. Academic climate research is a rich source of insights on how to make change happen. But researchers rarely have the time to convert their insights into actionable solutions. This is where CCE steps in. We “translate” academic research on climate law and policy into tools, materials and guidance that businesses and governments can understand and use. We are the connective tissue between climate actors, linking researchers and practitioners to build networks and communities of practice that learn from one another and drive continuous improvement.
The examples below illustrate how investment in CCE accelerates climate governance — translating evidence into scalable, systemic action.
Creating a Place-Based Framework for Net Zero
CCE’s policy team worked with partners to develop a framework supporting local authorities in achieving net zero in ways that align with and reinforce national ambitions. The project received funding under Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme. Developed in partnership with and piloted by UK councils, the Locally Determined Contributions (LDC) Framework provides a scalable toolkit to align governance, planning, and investment with decarbonisation and resilience. If expanded, the framework could reshape how localities deliver on national climate goals, offering a replicable model to enable place-based climate leadership.
A Global Legal Resource: the Law and Climate Atlas
Developed by CCE with the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, the Law and Climate Atlas has become a go-to global resource for legal and policy professionals advancing climate action. Reaching 25,000+ users in over 100 countries and cited in 10+ academic journals, it maps 40 areas of law where climate issues intersect with governance and business, equipping practitioners to embed climate responsibility across legal systems worldwide. Recognised at UNFCCC events, New York Climate Week, and in parliamentary debates, it exemplifies how CCE turns academic insight into practical tools for systemic change.
Accelerating Evidence-Based Climate Decisions
In partnership with Science Europe and leading academic institutions Climate Research Initiative Netherlands, Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, French National Research Agency, Hungarian Research Network, Lund University, Research Council of Norway, and the University of Cambridge, CCE pioneered a new Rapid Evidence Synthesis (RES) tool to drive faster delivery of evidence-based solutions to policymakers and stakeholders addressing climate mitigation and adaptation. CCE moderated a discussion showcasing RES as a powerful tool during London Climate Action Week 2025,
Climate Proofing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for Global Impact
Through the UNFCCC High Level Champions at COP29 and COP30, CCE is working alongside the We Mean Business Coalition, International Universities Alliance, and Cambridge Zero to empower a network of 20,000+ small and medium-sized companies globally in strengthening their climate resilience and accelerating their low-carbon transitions. Drawing on expertise from over 50 SME scholars from around the world, CCE co-led the 2024 Report for COP29, and the 2025 Strengthening the Business Case SME Climate Action Report presented during COP30 in Brazil.
Embedding Climate into Financial Accountability
In collaboration with Social Value International, CCE contributed to the True and Fair Project by preparing research for investors and regulators and sharing insights through the Climate Governance Initiative’s global network. The Project highlights the economic reality that businesses rely on resources such as carbon, water, and labour – many of which impose hidden costs on society. It encourages companies to recognise and disclose these costs in their financial statements, ensuring climate and sustainability are embedded in company reporting and decision-making.
Empowering Boards through Trusted Climate Knowledge
Through Chapter Zero (CZ), CCE delivers trusted, evidence-based insights that equip non-executive directors to embed climate action in corporate strategy. In doing so, CCE gains access to one of the UK’s most influential director-level climate networks, reaching 3,500+ members, including 532 FTSE 350 NEDS, and engaging over 5,000 event attendees in the last year. 83% of Directors report increased climate awareness, and 54% of Chairpersons have taken climate action after engaging with CZ’s resources and events. The network is supported by 60+ pro-bono partners.
Growing a Global Climate Governance Network
From 2020 to 2025, CCE hosted and incubated the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI), supporting its growth into a globally recognised network of board directors driving climate action. Currently with over 100,000 members in networks across 70 countries, the new charity, the Chapter Zero Alliance (CZA), provides a dedicated home for CGI and Chapter Zero UK, marking CGI’s transition to independence. Through an ongoing partnership agreement, CCE continues to collaborate with CGI by providing resources, which are shared on the CGI Climate Hub. These include briefings and outcome summaries for COP events, a Climate and Disclosure Navigator, and briefings on transition planning.
Advancing Open Access Research on Climate Governance
CCE, in partnership with Cambridge University Press, has launched a new open-access journal that brings together academics and practitioners to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue on how corporate action, governance structures, legal frameworks, and financial systems can accelerate a sustainable future. Helmed by an international editorial board from the University of Pennsylvania, University of Cambridge, The American University in Cairo, Harvard Kennedy School, and Singapore Management University, this CCE-championed publication bridges scholarly insight and expertise from practice to push forward the global climate agenda. The Journal is the third title in the CUP’s Cambridge Forum series.
Connecting Knowledge to Action and Impact through Events
CCE brings people and ideas together to turn evidence into decisive climate action. As a trusted convenor across academia, business, and government, the Centre hosted and contributed to more than 40 engagement events between 2024 – 2025, spanning the global to the local. From international stages such as COP30 and New York Climate Week to the Law and Climate Seminar Series in Cambridge and regional partnerships with UK councils, CCE brings the latest research directly into real world policy and practice. CCE’s convening power extends into the heart of corporate and financial sectors including partnering with NASDAQ, the London Stock Exchange, and City UK.
Empowering Future Climate Leaders
Over the past four years, CCE has hosted 44 interns from around the world, offering paid placements that build skills in climate law, governance, and policy. Interns contribute directly to CCE’s flagship initiatives, gaining hands-on experience of applied research and climate engagement. In addition, CCE team members regularly meet with Cambridge CSaP Policy Fellows, supporting their learning journey by sharing insights on climate governance, legal innovation, and the role of institutions in driving systemic change. Through these complementary programmes, CCE is cultivating and influencing a diverse new generation of leaders equipped to shape effective and inclusive climate action.
Using Planning Law for Climate Action
Post Doc Researcher Dr Samuel Ruiz-Tagle’s research transformed understanding of how planning law can drive climate action in the UK’s buildings sector. By identifying legal gaps that prevent climate considerations from being prioritised in planning decisions, his work proposed a new statutory duty to give “special regard” to climate mitigation and adaptation. Through close engagement with Parliament and Peers for the Planet during the passage of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, his recommendations directly influenced the inclusion of section 94, embedding climate responsibility into future planning policy and strengthening the legal foundations for achieving the UK’s net-zero goals.
Driving Sustainable Procurement Policy
Post Doc Researcher Dr Jellie Molino strengthened CCE’s academic and policy leadership through influential publications on climate governance, including her chapter in the Routledge Handbook of Climate Change and Governance and a peer-reviewed article in PLOS Climate advancing legal innovation for NDC implementation. She delivered expert presentations across multiple platforms, including at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law and CCE’s Law and the Climate Crisis seminar series. She provided crucial logistical support to international workshops on climate litigation and she helped advance CCE’s participation in UK public procurement processes.
Building CCE’s Global Voice
Post Doc Candidate Jessica Crow has significantly strengthened CCE’s leadership in climate law and governance through high-impact academic, policy, and global engagement work, including co-authoring a forthcoming chapter for The Oxford Handbook of Climate Change and Private Law and participating in its manuscript workshop at Yale Law School. Her active collaboration with the World Economic Forum—ranging from contributions to the Climate Governance Expert Community to producing a global webinar and blog on climate litigation and presenting on sustainable procurement—has amplified CCE’s international visibility.
Growing Reach and Influence
CCE’s influence is accelerating rapidly, ensuring CCE has become a trusted international hub for climate governance insight and leadership:
⭐ 5,000+ LinkedIn Followers (+158% YoY)
⭐ 200,000+ Annual LinkedIn Impressions (+107% YoY)
⭐ 1,000+ Monthly Active Website Users (+185% YoY)
⭐ 1,300+ Newsletter Subscribers (29–34% Open Rate)
⭐ Inclusion in media campaigns and news summaries by the University of Cambridge.
Collaborating through Networks
CCE works closely with partners across the areas of law, policy and business to deliver tailored engagement events and resources:
⭐ 120+ Outputs Delivered Since 2022 (Growing Annually by average 20%) including expert briefings, policy insights, interviews, reports, event summaries, and internationally recognised resources such as the Law & Climate Atlas
⭐ Collaborative outputs with Freshfields, CGI, Chapter Zero, Cambridge Zero Policy Forum & Others
⭐ International Reach Across COPs & Global Networks, including board directors and policymakers to academics and global climate networks
For more information:
Email: Climate@hughes.cam.ac.uk LinkedIn: @Centre for Climate Engagement
Web: www.climatehuhges.org BlueSky: @ClimateHughes
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