KNUST has commenced processes to establish a climate changing working group which brings together all the various teams and individuals working on climate change issues at the university.

Though there are a number of teams and groups researching on various aspects of climate change, these research activities are not coordinated which often leads to them not benefitting from synergies from the various teams. 

The KNUST climate change working group initiative recognizes a need to bring together these researchers and teams to form multidisciplinary research teams that would address climate change issues from different perspectives as in real world situations.

The KNUST Climate Change Working Group will bring together scientists of the University, industry players and government and policy makers to work and find solutions to the negative effects of climate change as well as taking advantage of opportunities that the changing climate could present.

With support from the phase three of Building Stronger Universities (BSU III) funded by DANIDA, the University has been working on establishing the working group and have a draft climate change policy being changed considered by University.

The vision of the KNUST climate change Research Group is to generate evidence-based knowledge to address climate challenges, deepen the commitment of the University to develop climate change friendly curriculum, and manage its operations and investments.

The Working Group will support KNUST to reduce energy consumption, enhance the use of renewable energy, and explore new ways in cutting down direct and indirect emissions, and demonstrate the value of climate solutions through its reporting.

In addition, the Working Group’s guidance will motivate KNUST to sustain its desire to understand and implement processes to reduce the carbon impacts of our activities.

The six (6) priority areas for the working group will cover the drivers, the risks and the opportunities of climate change.

A key area that the working group will focus on is to promote opportunities in climate change as a means of adaptation with benefits for mitigation.

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo is happy the initiative is crucial for the University in acing the SDG 13.

He is hopeful, the country will be the ultimate beneficiary.

“We scored highly in SDG 1, we did well in SDG 4 and SDG 7, we did extremely well, but as far as SDG 13 is concerned, we didn’t do well. For that reason, this research group and policy direction group and your meeting is very timely.

“For the fact you seek to promote a goal that would eventually lead to a research policy and strategy is noteworthy ad welcoming," he added.