Join us for the second in a series of thought-provoking debates on the role of offsetting in Higher Education. Amidst the urgent call for achieving global net zero emissions, the question of how we navigate this journey sparks controversy among critics and proponents.

During this event, we will delve into whether offsetting is the right approach for universities, which also make significant contributions through research and education. As we navigate the nuances of offsetting, we will address critical questions, including the moral implications of offsetting and the necessity of prioritising emissions reduction.

The debate aims to engage the King’s community in a dialogue surrounding offsetting. With a focus on exploring and connecting relevant research, fostering academic debate, and informing future policy, we seek to highlight the complexities of offsetting within the academic sphere.

Speakers 

• Professor Frans Berkhout [chair]: Assistant Principal (King’s Climate & Sustainability) and Professor of Environment, Society, and Climate
• Malcolm Ace: Vice President (Finance) & Chief Financial Officer at King's College London
• Gulcin Ozkan: Professor of Finance at King’s Business School 
• Injy Johnstone: Research Associate in Net Zero Aligned Offsetting at the University of Oxford
• Dr Eleanor Toye Scott: Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Cambridge and lead on negotiating offsets at the Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits 
• Fiona Goodwin: Deputy CEO for EAUC - The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education
• Stephen Thompson: Associate and Carbon Offsetting Co-Lead at Arup (sustainable development consultancy)

This event is open to all, encouraging participation from academics across faculties.

This discussion will feed into the recently created Carbon Offsetting Working Group at King's. This group is exploring the full range of options related to offsetting, which will culminate in a multidimensional approach to carbon offsetting for King’s in Spring 2025.

Read more about offsetting here and watch the first debate below: