The 1.5 Degrees alternative league table is a global ‘worst’ ranking of the top universities, assessing just how badly they are preparing graduates for a 1.5^oC future. Led by our Mock COP campaign, we assessed the world’s top 20 universities on how their Engineering, Law, Economics, Politics and Health courses – traditionally highly desired subjects for the people that go on to become decision makers – align with the actions needed to tackle the climate emergency and ecological crisis.

Read our full 1.5 Degrees findings report which explains our methodology and our analysis of the top 20 universities (according to THE) that teach economics, law, politics, engineering, and education and health; and how these courses align with the actions needed to tackle the climate emergency and ecological crisis.

We have revealed that these institutions fall woefully short of the kind of action we need to see, and this uncovers a problem: the people with the privilege to study at the so-called ‘top’ universities, and go on to become key decision makers across society, are being educated at institutions that do not act in the public good and do not ensure their graduates are prepared to lead a more just and sustainable future.

We are calling on these top 20 institutions to change their curriculums – young people should be able to choose an education at a world class institution that will equip them to deal with the world’s greatest challenges. And it’s not just about world leaders; everyone has the opportunity to contribute positively to climate solutions, and therefore every career and educational opportunity should reflect this.

Read the report.

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University, specifically these top institutions, is where most high-level decision-makers are educated. 20 current heads of state and government have studied at Harvard alone. But, much of what is taught in key subjects does not support or align with the actions needed to tackle the climate emergency and ecological crisis. As carbon emissions rise and inequalities grow across the world, a 'business as usual' worldview continues to justify growth over people and planet. This worldview is cemented within leading academic institutions, meaning education, the most powerful tool for change, is failing to equip past, present and future world leaders to take ambitious climate action.   

We have a ‘world-class’ education system that is failing people and planet, and young people demand change. We need curriculum reform to address the climate emergency and ecological crisis.

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