All Coimbra Group universities now signatories of the Durham Declaration
25 March 2026
We are delighted to announce that all 42 Coimbra Group member universities have formally endorsed the Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability, following the recent admission of three new universities to our network.
This month, Prof. Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, Prof. Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, and Prof. Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of the University of Wrocław, officially signed the Declaration. These three universities joined the Coimbra Group at the last General Assembly, held in Bologna in June 2025.
Launched in March 2025 during the Climate Symposium hosted by Durham University, the Declaration articulates a unified vision for how higher education can contribute to global climate action. It sets out seven key principles to embed sustainability in all areas of academic life, including research, education, governance, and operations. The Declaration highlights the crucial role of universities as innovators, educators, partners and investors in driving transformative solutions to the climate crisis.
Prof. Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board, commented: “We warmly welcome the swift commitment of the leadership of our three new member universities. Their endorsement reinforces the principles of the Declaration and brings additional expertise and energy to our collaborative efforts. This unified stance also sends a clear message to our partners, to the EU policymakers and to the UN agencies: Europe’s leading research- and education-intensive universities are more committed and determined than ever to champion climate action”.
Serving as a guiding framework for the network, the Durham Declaration provides a shared roadmap for university-led climate and sustainability initiatives, fostering collaboration within the network as well as with local, national, European and international stakeholders. With full adoption across its membership, the Coimbra Group will further develop joint initiatives, influence policy and amplify its global advocacy in these critical areas.