Assessing climate change and health provisions among staff in higher education institutions: A preliminary investigation

There is a perceived need to foster knowledge of climate change and health as a whole, and of the contribution of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to this process, in particular. This significance arises from the unique position of universities as hubs of knowledge, research, and diverse expertise. Through interdisciplinary initiatives and research endeavours, universi- ties play a pivotal role in catalysing innovative solutions to complex societal problems, particu- larly those associated with the profound challenges posed by climate change. Universities can provide research and resources to develop new technologies, promote public awareness of cli- mate change, and offer educational opportunities to create a global network of knowledgeable citizens [19]. Universities can also influence policy decisions and create a platform for discuss- ing the impacts of climate change. With the intensification of extreme weather events, the need to find ways to mitigate climate change is increasingly urgent. Accordingly, university engagement is essential to finding solutions to the environmental problems of today [19, 20]. There are several examples of activities that HEIs are already doing to address the health impacts of climate change and promote sustainability, namely: i. Education and awareness-raising. Many HEIs offer courses and programmes focused on sus- tainability and climate change [21–23]. For example, the University of California, Berkeley, offers a course in Global Public Health and Environment, which includes content on climate

change and health [24]. The University of Cambridge in the UK offers a course on Climate Change and Health, which explores the impacts of climate change on public health [25]. ii. Research. HEIs are also leading research on the linkages between climate change and health [26, 27]. For example, Harvard University has established the Harvard Global Health Insti- tute, which conducts research on the health impacts of climate change and other global health issues [28]. The Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany hosts the Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management", which among other efforts coordinates numerous university initiatives on climate change research, and also leads the world´s leading peer-reviewed book series on climate change, the "Climate Change Management" series: https://www.springer.com/series/8740 [29]. iii. Sustainable operations. Many HEIs are also implementing strategies to reduce their own carbon footprint [30]. For example, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, has estab- lished a Climate Plan with the goal of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustain- able practices. This includes initiatives such as energy-efficient buildings, green transportation, and sustainable food options. iv. Community engagement. HEIs are also engaging with local communities to promote awareness of the health impacts of climate change and build partnerships to address these challenges [31]. For example, the National University of Singapore has established a Sus-

tainability Office that focuses on promoting sustainability initiatives on campus and engag- ing with the wider community. This includes initiatives such as a Sustainable Campus program and a research group on climate change and health [32]. The cited examples represent only a handful of the numerous endeavours undertaken by HEIs worldwide to confront the health consequences of climate change and advance sustain- ability. While encouraging progress is observed in these collective initiatives, it is essential to recognize the existence of several obstacles that impede comprehensive engagement by univer- sities in climate change-related efforts. Some of these are: • Lack of awareness. Staff at certain universities may not possess a comprehensive awareness of the full extent of the impacts of climate change, including the significance of their role in actively engaging with this crucial topic [33]. PLOS ONE Climate change and health in HEIs PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304019 May 21, 2024 3 / 21