News round-up – December 2025
Climate, sustainability and COP30
Edinburgh ranks 4th in the world for sustainability
The University has been recognised as one of the top universities in the world for its social and environmental sustainability. Read more…
Edinburgh experts head to COP
Academics and students across the University have taken part in the latest United Nations climate change conference, COP30, both in Brazil and on campus. In a series of blogs, experts explain the significance, challenges and why it matters. Read more…
More mess please!
How a little clutter can protect our crops under climate change: as the climate warms, insect pests multiply and resistance to sprays grows. A little managed mess in fields might be the game changer. Read more…
PEAKSOLVE: Tackling global water and population challenges
Bringing together early-career researchers, students, and international collaborators, the PEAKSOLVE initiative has concluded. It explored one of the world’s most pressing challenges: how shifting population patterns will shape water resources and environmental sustainability. Read more…
City-scanning satellite set to transform climate monitoring
Edinburgh scientists are set to play a key role in the launch of Europe’s first satellite dedicated to monitoring carbon dioxide levels across the world’s cities and urban areas. Read more…
Earth Fellows Edit 2025 is live
This annual publication showcases the work of Edinburgh Earth Initiative’s Earth Fellows programme, which gives current students the unique opportunity to work on paid climate and environment projects, engage with professional development events and build a network for collective action on climate change. Read more…
Mobilising finance for adaptation and resilience
The next decade will test whether finance can be an instrument of resilience rather than reaction. While capital markets have learned to value decarbonisation, they remain ill-equipped to price adaptation. Global climate finance exceeded 1.9 trillion US dollars in 2024, yet less than four per cent supported adaptation and resilience. Read more…
Research
What magnets reveal about climate tipping points
Experiments with magnets reveal why some climate systems collapse suddenly while others shift gradually, offering insight into the warning signs of environmental tipping points. Read more…
AI tools forecast aftershock risk in seconds
Earthquake forecasting tools powered by AI can forecast the risk of aftershocks seconds after the initial tremor, a study suggests. Machine learning models have been developed that can forecast where, and how many, aftershocks will take place following an earthquake in close to real-time, researchers say. Read more…
UK vaccine trial targets virus linked to MS
A new clinical trial is set to test whether vaccination against a common virus found in almost all people with multiple sclerosis (MS) could help treat the condition. Read more…
€10m project to accelerate AI use in UK
A new multi-million-pound European project is set to boost adoption of AI among businesses and researchers across the UK to help unlock untapped economic and scientific potential. Read more…
Gene-edited pigs resistant to deadly viral disease
Researchers have created pigs that are resistant to classical swine fever (CSF), a highly infectious and often fatal disease that poses a major threat to pig farming worldwide. Read more…
Students
Sir Chris Hoy Scholarship set to unlock sporting success
A dedicated student fund, launched by six-time Olympic Champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, is set to support the careers of future sporting champions across the University. Read more…
Community
Our Community Plan
The University has launched Our Community Plan 2025-2030 – a shared roadmap built on real voices and lived experience and is designed to create real change in our communities. It’s grounded in the belief that universities should be more than centres of learning – they should be partners in progress. Read more…
Project brings light to winter blues sufferers
A programme to help people struggling with a low mood during the winter months is heading to one of Scotland’s darkest regions this winter. Read more…
Community access scheme for locals extended
A pioneering scheme that has given community groups 300 days of free access to University buildings extended for a further five years, new plans reveal. Read more…
Campus
Edinburgh first UK uni to scoop nutrition award
University catering earns top marks on World Food Day as Edinburgh becomes the first higher education institution to achieve national award for nutritious food. Read more…
Champion novelist named as Writer in Residence
An award-winning novelist who has mastered the genres of crime, historical and literary fiction has been appointed as the new Writer in Residence at the University. Read more…
