Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and The Horizons Institute present Tipping Points: Interdisciplinary approaches to climate breakdown

The Priestley Climate Scholars programme is open to a maximum of 10 new postgraduate students per year (20 scholars in total), and requires commitment and engagement to benefit from leadership, engage...

The natural phenomenon in the Pacific, which affects global weather, is ‘turbocharging’ worsening impacts of climate change.

Trees in urban areas are highly effective in reducing harmful heat exposure and improving outdoor comfort in cities, according to a new study led by Priestley members.

Heat stress is among the biggest causes of weather-related sick leave, but a new report shows that workers are facing a much wider range of climate-related risks, with flooding, drought, storms and po...

This new documentary series reveals how nature is fighting back against today’s extreme weather.

The Earth’s temperature has been much cooler in the past than previously thought, meaning it could be moving towards the warmest it’s ever been. Research at the University used a new method of measure...

Climate Futures Across Disciplines explores the multifaceted nature of climate futures, showcasing how early-career researchers are helping to pioneer what

The University of Leeds’ membership of the prestigious Met Office Academic Partnership (MOAP) has been renewed, as part of the new Science Delivery Framework. Leeds remains one of eight university par...

Past and present leaders of wealthy nations such as UK and Germany have argued their actions are insignificant

Open Access Government - Issue 51 July 2026

New study challenges idea that tall trees’ hydraulics make them more vulnerable to dry conditions

On 30 June, the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures marked its 10th anniversary by celebrating outstanding contributions to climate research and impact, awarding two prestigious prizes that reflect t...

Professor James Ford took over as academic lead of the Priestley Climate Scholars programme in 2023. Here he reflects on how the programme is helping Priestley achieve its goal of empowering climate a...

Releasing beavers as part of a trial in the North York Moors has helped to reduce downstream flooding and enhance biodiversity according to new research from the University of Leeds. Two beavers were ...

An early warning system that detects increasing levels of climate impacts is being developed by academics, insurance industry partners and the Met Office. Using decision games and storylines, the rese...

The Priestley Centre and the UNFCCC From its inception, the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures has recognised that our world‑leading climate research can inform real-world decision making.  Througho...

Abstract. In a rapidly changing climate, evidence-based decision-making benefits from up-to-date and timely information. We track twelve key sets of indicators of the state of the climate system, clos...

Fourteen of the UK's most promising climate tech companies have been selected for EarthScale's second cohort, spanning biomaterials, energy, carbon removal, the built environment, and the circular eco...

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) recently published the Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment – Independent Assessment (CCRA4‑IA), a comprehensive evidence base on the risks climate change poses to ...

New railways could hold the key to cleaner, cheaper heating, through using underground tunnels as a heat source. Harnessing heat from tunnels and other buried infrastructure could produce locally-sour...

International research partnerships are driving progress towards cleaner cities, healthier communities and stronger environmental policies in India. The burning of agricultural waste, along with the d...

Professor Piers Forster, Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to climate scienc...

The scale and urgency of the climate crisis demands decisive leadership informed by timely, actionable insights. For policymakers and decision makers alike, accessing clear, relevant, and trusted clim...

A new paper compares strategies, including movable barriers, ring dikes, closing the Venetian Lagoon, and relocating the city, that could help Venice adapt to future sea-level rise. The findings could...

Overview Time Period: 23/02/2026 – 03/03/2026 Key Themes: air pollution Context Tackling air pollution is the subject of a new inquiry by MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee, launched January 202...

As the UK enters a decisive decade for delivering its legally binding carbon budgets under the Climate Change Act 2008, innovation will play a defining role. Meeting these commitments demands rapid, s...

This side event will present a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap for Colombia, followed by a discussion on how to make it deliverable

YouTube video by Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

Work to restore heathland, meadows, woodland, peatlands and rivers in the uplands of South Cumbria has begun in earnest thanks to a new project supported by Defra’s Landscape Recovery Scheme. Work to ...

Nexus, the University of Leeds innovation community, and the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures have joined forces as the UK partners for ClimateLaunchpad. The programme is a core part of the entrep...

YouTube video by Priestley Centre for Climate Futures