SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

QUEX Institute

The UQ-Exeter Institute is a strategic partnership between The University of Queensland and the University of Exeter—two research-intensive universities committed to solving the world’s most urgent challenges. Born from a shared belief in the power of collaboration, the Institute connect researchers, students, and partners across hemispheres to co-create impactful solutions in health, technology, sustainability, and resource security. The Institute aims to deliver impactful research that addresses major global challenges, unified by the central issue of ‘Global Sustainability and Wellbeing’.

Earth League

The University of Exeter is a member of the Earth League - a voluntary alliance of leading scientists and institutions working on planetary processes and sustainability issues, established to address current challenges and opportunities related to the future of our planet.

The Earth League is dedicated to releasing timely statements and publications on critical topics related to global change, such as actionable insights derived from the latest climate science and research presented at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences of the Parties. These publications aim to inform policymakers and decision makers about the current status of research and perspectives in the fields of climate, socio-economics and the environment.

World Universities Network (WUN)

Exeter joined the World Universities Network (WUN) in 2023, a partnership bringing an unparalleled richness of talent and resources to bear on major research problems. As well as fostering distinctive international research collaborations directed at problems of global significance, the WUN also helps nurture research talent, shape institutional policy and practice through analysis and information exchange, and build partnerships with national and international bodies.

Its research addresses the overarching themes of sustainable development, including Social justice, human rights, inequality; sustainable world: cities and urbanisation, energy transitions, water and food security; mental health, child and maternal health, ageing; and responsible and ethical use of computing: artificial intelligence, information security, privacy.

Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) Accord

In April 2024 the Global Opportunities Team became the first Russell Group University to sign the CANIE Accord. CANIE - Climate Action Network for International Educators - is an organisation that drives change in the international education sector to foster sustainable practices and climate action.

HABITABLE

The HABITABLE project (2020-2024) brings together 22 diverse recognised institutions from 18 countries, covering a wide range of expertise. This international collaboration is the largest research project on climate change and migration to have ever been funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program for research and innovation.  The fund tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

HABITABLE seeks to connect different scales of research by adopting an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods approach. Empirical data collected through a longitudinal survey will be complemented by in-depth qualitative methods to provide a more nuanced understanding of how particular tipping points influence migration behaviour and the habitability of Socio-Ecological Systems (SES).

The overall goal of HABITABLE is to investigate how and to what extent climate change affects the habitability of socio-ecological systems and transforms current and future migration and displacement patterns.  HABITABLE’s systemic approach will contribute to the design of appropriate and sustainable policy responses to the climate-migration nexus.

The four objectives:

• Formulate a predictive understanding of migration patterns and dynamics under climate change through the identification of social tipping points that lead to migration.
• Propose adaptation options and strategies for populations affected by climate change based on an assessment of how migration redefines the limits to adaptation.
• Identify, analyse and mainstream the gendered and social equity dimensions of the climate-migration nexus throughout the project.
• Support the development of effective policy responses by co-producing migration scenarios and policy recommendations with key stakeholders.

World Economic Forum partnership

Our first partnership with the World Economic Forum will help develop a new project in support of the Arctic and Antarctic biospheres. The successful Hoffmann Fellow will help to develop an integrated approach to tackling the common threats these areas face, and the implications for the rest of the world affected by polar tipping points.

Global Carbon Budget

The Global Carbon Budget Office is led by Professor Pierre Friedlingstein from the University of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute with the support of more than 100 people from 70 organisations in 18 countries. Since 2006, as part of the Global Carbon Project, the Global Carbon Budget has provided a wealth of information on carbon emissions and the ramifications for reaching the global climate goals.

Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3) and National Adaptation Programme (NAP3)

Analysis led by the University of Exeter informed a major UK government report on climate adaption.  Academics at the University of Exeter participated in cooperative planning for climate change disasters. Professor Richard Betts MBE, led the detailed 1500-page CCRA3 Technical Report, providing the evidence at the core of the Independent Assessment, which has informed the UK government's third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3). Published in July 2023 NAP3 sets out the key actions for 2023 to 2028, that government and others will take to adapt to the challenges of climate change in the UK and plan for climate change disasters. The University of Exeter is taking a leading role by providing the scientific basis for reports such as the National Adaptation Programme, and the work of our researchers is enabling policymakers to make evidence-based decisions in our quest for a greener future.

Parliamentarians Guide to Climate Change

In October 2024 The Parliamentarians Guide to Climate Change was launched at the House of Commons. The guide, produced by the University of Exeter in partnership with NGO Peers for the Planet, brings together analysis from the world-leading climate experts to provide government and other policy makers – at national and local level – with reliable insights to inform and plan action on climate change.

Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Impacts Group

On a regional level, the University, in collaboration with NGOs including the Westcountry Rivers Trust, is a member of the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Impacts Group which is coordinating regional action on climate adaptation, preparing communities and organisations for a changing climate, and improving resilience across the region. The DCIoS Climate Adaptation Strategy 2023 to 2027 will help communities and organisations across the Southwest better understand the risks their area might face in the future, as climate change increasingly affects the UK. It will also help them monitor early warning signs of climate change and adapt to these changes, thereby improving their resilience and community safety. Resources have been made available to help individuals, communities, organisations and local policy makers take action for climate adaptation and prepare for climate impacts.