Nearly two-thirds (61%) of adults expect global research universities, like the University of Cambridge, to lead the way in developing technologies that can mitigate climate change, according to a recent poll. This figure surpasses expectations for government action (47%) and private sector efforts (46%).
The survey, conducted by Public First with 2,000 UK adults on behalf of Cambridge, highlights the crucial role that research universities play in addressing climate and environmental challenges. Respondents emphasized that over the next 50 years, the top priorities should include investing in low-carbon energy infrastructure (59%), encouraging businesses to reduce their environmental impact (52%), and providing government funding to support research into new technologies (50%).
The need for innovation
Public sentiment aligns closely with the pressing need for innovations in areas such as carbon dioxide removal (38%), alternative fuels for cars and planes (37%), and advanced batteries that can store more energy (30%).
“Cambridge is tackling the climate crisis through hundreds of projects ranging from fundamental scientific research to public policy and engagement,” the researchers said. “Creating an environment that enables this work is central to our mission of contributing to society.”
One major obstacle to combating climate change is the slow progress in developing alternative fuels for transport. While electric vehicles offer a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, they remain more expensive and are being adopted at a slower pace than necessary.
Sustainable solutions
The University of Cambridge’s Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) is working on sustainable solutions for the aviation industry, which is responsible for 2–3% of global annual CO2 emissions. When non-CO2 effects, like contrails, are factored in, the aviation sector’s overall climate impact could be as high as 4%. The AIA creates evidence-based tools that help decision-makers plan for a more sustainable aviation future.
Cambridge is also addressing one of the key technical challenges in building a low-carbon energy system: developing better batteries. Professor Dame Clare Grey’s group at Cambridge’s Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry is researching next-generation materials for batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors, all of which are essential to future energy infrastructure. A recent innovation from this lab, Nyobolt, is a fast-charging battery for cars that is smaller, lighter, and holds more charge than current options.
The poll also revealed that carbon removal is a public priority. Cambridge is exploring new technologies for carbon capture, but nature remains the most effective tool for removing carbon from the atmosphere. Projects like the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the Center for Landscape Regeneration focus on using natural ecosystems to sequester carbon and reduce emissions, furthering efforts to combat biodiversity loss and restore landscapes worldwide.
