Climate change
Ever wonder what kind of careers or technology help tackle climate change? Aoife Brophy, a researcher and lecturer in sustainability and innovation at Oxford Saïd, has spent her career discovering exactly that.
In her interview with our staff Green Impact Group, Aoife says her passion for the environment began early, growing up in Dublin, Ireland near the sea.
She wanted to protect the natural world she loved and later focused her studies on climate challenges, like reducing carbon emissions and finding cleaner ways to provide electricity for people who need it most.
One of her coolest projects involves off-grid energy solutions in sub-Saharan Africa. Imagine a community that isn’t connected to the main electricity grid. Aoife studies how entrepreneurs there are coming up with solar- and biomass-powered mini-grids that don’t just provide power, they’re transforming communities. For example, she explains how some businesses power mini-freezers to store fish, allowing local fishers to sell fresher, high-quality fish. It's sustainable and helps people make a better living; a perfect example of using technology to solve problems sustainably.
So what does Aoife think young people should know about sustainability? Here are some of her top insights:
1. The importance of teamwork
Aoife believes climate solutions are all about working together. For instance, big companies worldwide have set net zero goals (meaning they want to balance out any carbon they release with actions that reduce carbon). But no single company can stop climate change alone; it takes whole communities working with governments and researchers to make a difference. So, whether you're starting a school recycling programme or working on a science project, remember teamwork is everything.
(As an aside Aoife's own role exemplifies the importance of teamwork as she holds a joint appointment between the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and Saïd Business School. She is also a Co-Investigator of Oxford Net Zero.)
2. Learning from global innovators
Aoife says some of the best sustainability ideas come from people who have to get creative with limited resources. In Africa, she saw entrepreneurs come up with new ways to generate power and provide electricity for those without access to traditional power grids. They’re making a big difference with the materials they have available, which she finds inspiring.
I think there's a lot that we can learn from entrepreneurs that are working in very difficult settings, and despite these difficulties, they're able to innovate in ways that are addressing very complex sustainable development challenges.
3. Changing how we use energy
Many companies Aoife studies focus on using energy in new ways to address specific needs, like refrigeration for food preservation in fishing communities. For Aoife, this approach is key; relying less on huge power grids and instead using just the right amount of energy in the right places. She believes the future of energy is about more sustainable and local approaches that are better for the planet.
What’s next for climate tech?
So what new climate-saving inventions are on the way? According to Aoife, the field of carbon dioxide removal is expanding fast. This includes technologies like direct air capture, where machines pull carbon dioxide from the air to store it underground. Some methods use trees and other plants to naturally soak up carbon, while others rely on cutting-edge tech. Aoife believes these tools will be key for achieving global sustainability goals. Though we still have a lot to learn, she’s excited to see what happens next.
Here at Oxford University, our colleagues at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment host a research hub called CO₂RE; the UK’s national research hub on greenhouse gas removal.
Within CO₂RE, Aoife is the co-lead on business models focusing on how different organisations (public, private and non-profit) can work together to support sustainable development and net zero across systems.
Advice for young climate champions
For students passionate about sustainability, Aoife suggests trying projects in your school or community and joining local eco clubs. But, she says, 'the most important thing is to stay curious'. Technology is always changing, so there’s no single right answer to solving climate issues. Whether you’re interested in science, business or design, many paths lead to careers that can make a big environmental impact.
From solar-powered mini-grids to creating carbon-capturing forests, Aoife’s research shows that big changes start with local ideas. As young climate leaders, you have the power to think globally and act locally. With teamwork, creativity and a lot of curiosity, you can help build a more sustainable future, just like Aoife.
