Advanced Topics in Sustainability and AI

"Advanced Topics in Sustainability and AI" is a two-day executive programme convened at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, organised by the Oxford Centre for Technology and Development (OCTD).

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Building on the success of our previous executive training (delivered on 29-30 June 2026), this new programme brings together a limited cohort of senior leaders for focused academic engagement and strategic dialogue on emerging critical challenges at the intersection of technology and climate strategy.

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Scheduled just one month ahead of COP31, this programme presents a timely opportunity for senior stakeholders to drive meaningful impact and align strategic efforts in the lead-up to the conference. For those attending New York Climate Week (held the preceding week), Oxford serves as an ideal layover.

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Focus Areas

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• Carbon Dioxide Removal, Zero Waste & Industrial Decarbonisation

• Sustainability & Artificial Intelligence

• Carbon Markets, Critical Materials & Sustainable Finance​​

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Programme Structure

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Day One — Monday 28 September 2026: Interactive Training Sessions (St Edmund Hall)

Faculty-led lectures on carbon dioxide removal, industrial decarbonisation, and sustainability and AI, including:

• Carbon Dioxide Removal & Greenhouse Gas Removal — Professor Steve Smith, Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment

• Sustainability & Artificial Intelligence — Dr Amani Maalouf, Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment

• Climate Finance — Dr Abrar Chaudhury, Saïd Business School

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Day Two — Tuesday 29 September 2026: Exclusive Meetings and Private Roundtables

Roundtable sessions with leading Oxford research centres, including:

• Carbon Markets & Carbon Accounting — Professor Karthik Ramanna, E-Ledger Institute

• Critical Minerals: Raw Materials for Energy Transition — Dr Metehan Ciftci, Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment

• Potential further roundtables on Sustainable Finance, Green Procurement, and Climate & Youth

The provisional programme agenda and full speaker profiles will be announced in early September.

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Participation

Participation Fee The participation fee is structured based on participant profile and institutional category. The regular fee is GBP 2,000 per participant, with a preferential rate of 20% discount for two participants from the same organisation (GBP 3,600 for two participants).

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Confirmation 

All applications are subject to review. Selected applicants will be granted pre-approval, with final confirmation issued upon receipt of the participation fee. Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to submit an expression of interest early.

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Contact & Registration 

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You can register through Luma.

• https://luma.com/3cztrc4k

For further details regarding participation, please contact:

• Dr Emre Eren Korkmaz — emre.korkmaz@octd.co.uk

• John Can Gurkan — can.gurkan@octd.co.uk

Watch our June programme highlights:

• youtube.com/@oxfordctd

• www.octd.co.uk