The Australian National University (ANU) has been formally appointed as a new Co‑Chair of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), marking a significant milestone in the University’s commitment to climate leadership.  

The decision was endorsed during GAUC’s Annual Board Meeting earlier this year, alongside the World Economic Forum. ANU is the first to take on the rotating co-chair function and will serve in 2026 and 2027, after six years with the London School of Economics and Political Science and Tsinghua University in leadership roles. 

Professor Rebekah Brown, Interim Vice-Chancellor, ANU said: 
 
“On behalf of ANU, we are delighted to take on the role of Co‑Chair of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate. As Australia’s national university, we are committed to addressing the most urgent challenges facing our nation and the world. This role presents a valuable opportunity to deepen our multilateral research partnerships and accelerate the development and implementation of evidence-based climate solutions from local to global scales. We look forward to working closely with the distinguished GAUC member institutions to advance global climate leadership and drive meaningful, collaborative impact.” 

Professor Llewelyn Hughes, Director of the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions (ICEDS), joined the Board Meeting remotely to accept the role on behalf of ANU.  

“I would like to thank the Global Alliance for Universities on Climate community for supporting The Australian National University to take on the role of Co-Chair,” said Professor Hughes. “Our mission is to provide world‑leading research and education, and to shape conversations that prepare us for a better future. We look forward to working closely with the Board, Executive Committee and Academic Committee to set strategic priorities and projects for 2026 and beyond.” 

With the Pacific region set to host a special pre‑COP leaders’ event in the lead‑up to COP31, Professor Hughes anticipates an intensified period of action and collaboration across the GAUC network over the next 12 months. 

“With Australia's President of Negotiations role for COP31, ANU is proud to bring our strong connection to the Pacific region and our leadership role among Australian institutions to strengthen the network of impact for the Global Alliance.   

“We anticipate amplified action from you, our network, in our region in the year ahead,” he said. “Thank you again for your support. We look forward to working together.” 

In his acceptance speech, Professor Hughes also noted the important facilitation role ICEDS play within the University, integrating approaches to research, teaching and policy, industry and community engagement across disciplines. And highlighted the close collaboration between ICEDS and ANU Environmental Sustainability to support operational climate action that aims to reduce the University's greenhouse gas emissions to below zero and strengthen climate adaptation across campus.  

The ANU is the 16th best university in the world for social and environmental sustainability, improving 32 places compared to the previous year, according to the QS World University Rankings Sustainability 2026.  

About GAUC 

The Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) was established in 2019 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland by a coalition of eight leading universities—including ANU—to advance climate solutions through research, education and public outreach, and to partner with industry, non-profit and government organisations to promote rapid implementation from local to global scales.  

The founding members include The Australian National University, University of California, Berkeley, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Tokyo and Tsinghua University. Four additional members were later invited to join GAUC, including Stellenbosch University, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Indian Institute of Science, and Sciences Po. Columbia University, the University of Oxford and Yale University joined the alliance at the beginning of 2020. These 15 universities form GAUC. Find out more: www.gauc.net