The COP Universities Alliance is an initiative between leading Australian and Pacific universities to coordinate the efforts and contribution of the Australia-Pacific higher education and research sector towards COP31 and beyond.
The COP Universities Alliance aims to:
Provide policy support
Develop capacity and networks
Re-envision COP formats
Convene discussions around COP31 and beyond
Priorities
The COP Universities Alliance organises its activities around thematic priorities, such as:
- Advancing action on global goals on adaptation, including finance for adaptation and loss and damage
- Just energy transition, including the role of green industry and critical minerals
- First Nations and Pacific engagement and inclusion and Indigenous and Local Knowledges
- Understanding climate change impacts on human and ecosystems
- Innovating the format of COPs.
The COP Universities Alliance is governed by an interim steering group, consisting of representatives from ANU, Griffith University, Monash University, UNSW and the University of Melbourne. It is chaired by Professor Jacqueline Peel, Laureate Fellow in Global Corporate Climate Accountability, the University of Melbourne, and former Director at Melbourne Climate Futures. The broader Alliance membership has grown to include representatives from 24 institutions across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
The Alliance is seeking funding to further activate our efforts, including to coordinate and develop expert policy evaluations and to assist in capacity-development for Pacific partners.
Working Together: Australian and Pacific universities helping to deliver a successful and ambitious COP31 climate summit
The COP Universities Alliance was established in May 2024 as a collaborative partnership between leading Australian and Pacific universities to coordinate the efforts and contribution of the Australia-Pacific higher education and research sector towards COP31 and beyond.
This paper, prepared by the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response, sets out how universities can guide and support that work.
COP31 - Policy Ideas and Role of the Alliance
A discussion brief prepared by the COP Universities Alliance as a 'thought starter' in exploring policy ideas and opportunities for constructive engagement with Alliance members for the delivery of a successful and ambitious climate summit in the event of an Australia-hosted COP.
COP Universities Alliance member institutions
