The Director of the Bristol Poverty Institute, Professor David Gordon, and one of his PhD students who is already a qualified medical doctor, Dr Cynthia Fonta, undertook the BPI’s Travel Carbon Project earlier this year. Their aim was to calculate both the costs and years of life which could be saved by carbon offsetting the University’s work-related emissions through funding clean cooking stoves and/or potable water provision in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

We will also hear from Dr Sam Williamson, who is doing work on sustainability and cooking in a range of contexts including Nepal, Sierra Leone and Uganda.

Several key research funders do not currently allow carbon offsetting as an eligible research grant expense, and it is hoped that the evidence generated through the Travel Carbon Project will help lead to a change in policy. We recognise that carbon offsetting isn’t a perfect solution and that it would be better not to produce the emissions in the first place; however, as long as University-related travel is continuing this at least offers us the opportunity to offset those emissions whilst also having positive impacts on the health, wellbeing and economic status of those in poverty.

This event will take place on the University’s central Clifton campus, and there will be a live-streaming option. It is open to all to attend; however, we will only be able to take questions for the speakers from those in the room. Registration and attendance is free. Please ensure you select the correct ticket type when registering.