Cambridge Zero

Cambridge Zero was founded in 2019 "to maximise the University of Cambridge’s contribution towards achieving a resilient and sustainable zero-carbon world". There were rumours at the time that the name was chosen to overshadow the work of Zero Carbon, a student activist group who had been leading the divestment campaign. Critics of Cambridge Zero argue that they have failed to provide leadership on climate issues within the University of Cambridge, and that they are compromised by connections to business interests, including to fossil fuel companies. Their focus on industrial engagement and their support of geoengineering solutions have also come under fire.

Emily Shuckburgh
Emily is the Director of Cambridge Zero, Professor of Environmental Data Science at the Department of Computer Science and Technology and a well-known climate scientist nationally. She has been criticised for her connections to oil companies, her collaboration with Schlumberger and her focus on carbon sequestration in her work. The AI4ER centre, of which Shuckburgh is co-director, initially named BP, Total and Schlumberger as industry partners, although these have been slowly removed with the last disappearing in March 2023 following protests.

Shuckburgh has repeatedly defended the University's links with fossil fuel companies. Most notably, she recently voted against a Grace to cut research ties with fossil fuel companies.

Industry Links
Through the Aviation Impact Accelerator, Cambridge Zero collaborate with BP, Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Heathrow and Siemens.

Cambridge Zero are one of three partners in Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership's Achieving Zero initiative. This initiative brings them into contact with companies including Heathrow, Anglo American, HSBC, Amazon and others.