Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
@priestleycentre.bsky.social
Bringing together climate experts from across the University of Leeds to develop innovations, deliver education and inform policy for a better future.
🎉 The University of Leeds & Priestley Centre won Outstanding Innovation in Conferences for the 2025 Scenarios Forum!
🌱 The event was a Sustainable Conference Living Lab with vegetarian menus, low-carbon travel & inclusive hybrid options.
Learn more: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/univers...
🌱 The event was a Sustainable Conference Living Lab with vegetarian menus, low-carbon travel & inclusive hybrid options.
Learn more: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/univers...
University of Leeds wins Outstanding Innovation in Conferences at AVS Awards - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
A conference reimagined The University of Leeds has been recognised for sector-leading innovation in conferences after winning the Outstanding Innovation in Conferences award at last week’s Academic V...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
December 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🎉 The University of Leeds & Priestley Centre won Outstanding Innovation in Conferences for the 2025 Scenarios Forum!
🌱 The event was a Sustainable Conference Living Lab with vegetarian menus, low-carbon travel & inclusive hybrid options.
Learn more: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/univers...
🌱 The event was a Sustainable Conference Living Lab with vegetarian menus, low-carbon travel & inclusive hybrid options.
Learn more: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/univers...
Some weekend listening for you as Priestley member, Prof Amanda Maycock, recently joined Brian Cox and Robin Ince on The Infinite Monkey Cage to discuss all things clouds – how they form, their shapes & how to keep track of them!
Listen here: tinyurl.com/4a46b3ah
#Clouds #InfiniteMonkeyCage
Listen here: tinyurl.com/4a46b3ah
#Clouds #InfiniteMonkeyCage
BBC Radio 4 - The Infinite Monkey Cage, Series 34, Head in the Clouds - Owain Wyn Evans, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Amanda Maycock
Brian Cox and Robin Ince cut through the haze of cloud science.
tinyurl.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Some weekend listening for you as Priestley member, Prof Amanda Maycock, recently joined Brian Cox and Robin Ince on The Infinite Monkey Cage to discuss all things clouds – how they form, their shapes & how to keep track of them!
Listen here: tinyurl.com/4a46b3ah
#Clouds #InfiniteMonkeyCage
Listen here: tinyurl.com/4a46b3ah
#Clouds #InfiniteMonkeyCage
The Paris Agreement turns 10 today. As Prof. Piers Forster writes in Climate Home News, it steered us away from 4°C, but 1.5°C is now reality. The next decade must protect science, stop leaning on the “net” in net zero, and phase out fossil fuels. ➡️ www.climatechangenews.com/2025/12/12/w...
Why the Paris Agreement worked – and what it needs to do to survive
The accord has become a key compass in climate policy-making in the past decade, steering the world away from dangerous global warming of 4C The accord has become a key compass in climate policy-making, steering the world from expected global warming of 4C to "2-something"
www.climatechangenews.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The Paris Agreement turns 10 today. As Prof. Piers Forster writes in Climate Home News, it steered us away from 4°C, but 1.5°C is now reality. The next decade must protect science, stop leaning on the “net” in net zero, and phase out fossil fuels. ➡️ www.climatechangenews.com/2025/12/12/w...
🏔️ Priestley members have ventured to some of the planet’s most extreme environments, such as Mount Everest, to understand the risks of glacial melt and uncover how we can slow it down.
Listen to the researchers discuss their findings in this impactful podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/4eS7...
Listen to the researchers discuss their findings in this impactful podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/4eS7...
December 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM
🏔️ Priestley members have ventured to some of the planet’s most extreme environments, such as Mount Everest, to understand the risks of glacial melt and uncover how we can slow it down.
Listen to the researchers discuss their findings in this impactful podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/4eS7...
Listen to the researchers discuss their findings in this impactful podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/4eS7...
🚗 Are electric vehicles a greater risk to pedestrians than petrol or diesel cars? New research says no.
A study led by Priestley member Professor @ziawadud.bsky.social has found that EVs are just as safe for pedestrians as petrol or diesel cars.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/evs-jus...
A study led by Priestley member Professor @ziawadud.bsky.social has found that EVs are just as safe for pedestrians as petrol or diesel cars.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/evs-jus...
EVs 'just as safe for pedestrians' - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no more dangerous to pedestrians than traditional petrol or diesel cars, according to a new study led by Priestley member Professor Zia Wadud. Research by the University of...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
December 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
🚗 Are electric vehicles a greater risk to pedestrians than petrol or diesel cars? New research says no.
A study led by Priestley member Professor @ziawadud.bsky.social has found that EVs are just as safe for pedestrians as petrol or diesel cars.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/evs-jus...
A study led by Priestley member Professor @ziawadud.bsky.social has found that EVs are just as safe for pedestrians as petrol or diesel cars.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/evs-jus...
COP - a failing approach in need of radical change?
🌎 Professor Jan Selby writes how COP30 in Belém promised ambition and inclusivity, yet like COP29 in Baku, it ended in disappointment.
What do you think about COP? Let us know in the comments!
climate.leeds.ac.uk/a-tale-of-tw...
🌎 Professor Jan Selby writes how COP30 in Belém promised ambition and inclusivity, yet like COP29 in Baku, it ended in disappointment.
What do you think about COP? Let us know in the comments!
climate.leeds.ac.uk/a-tale-of-tw...
A Tale of Two COPs - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
by Jan Selby* Last year, the annual circus of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) travelled to Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. The proceedings w...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
December 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
COP - a failing approach in need of radical change?
🌎 Professor Jan Selby writes how COP30 in Belém promised ambition and inclusivity, yet like COP29 in Baku, it ended in disappointment.
What do you think about COP? Let us know in the comments!
climate.leeds.ac.uk/a-tale-of-tw...
🌎 Professor Jan Selby writes how COP30 in Belém promised ambition and inclusivity, yet like COP29 in Baku, it ended in disappointment.
What do you think about COP? Let us know in the comments!
climate.leeds.ac.uk/a-tale-of-tw...
COP30 in Belém was billed as 'the COP of implementation'; a moment to turn promises into action.
Priestley member and COP30 delegate Jyoti Narsude shares her thoughts on the reality.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/does-cop-imp...
Priestley member and COP30 delegate Jyoti Narsude shares her thoughts on the reality.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/does-cop-imp...
Reflecting on COP30: Did the ‘Implementation COP’ Deliver? - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
COP30 in Belém was billed as the COP of implementation; a moment to turn promises into action. Expectations were huge, including stronger commitments on fossil fuel phase-out, forest protection, and c...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
December 2, 2025 at 11:33 AM
COP30 in Belém was billed as 'the COP of implementation'; a moment to turn promises into action.
Priestley member and COP30 delegate Jyoti Narsude shares her thoughts on the reality.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/does-cop-imp...
Priestley member and COP30 delegate Jyoti Narsude shares her thoughts on the reality.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/does-cop-imp...
Uni of Leeds received the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for 150 years of textile research!
Priestley members are leading sustainability breakthroughs:
✅SwitchDye spin-out: cutting chemicals in polyester dye
✅Research on clothing durability to reduce waste
climate.leeds.ac.uk/universitys-...
Priestley members are leading sustainability breakthroughs:
✅SwitchDye spin-out: cutting chemicals in polyester dye
✅Research on clothing durability to reduce waste
climate.leeds.ac.uk/universitys-...
November 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Uni of Leeds received the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for 150 years of textile research!
Priestley members are leading sustainability breakthroughs:
✅SwitchDye spin-out: cutting chemicals in polyester dye
✅Research on clothing durability to reduce waste
climate.leeds.ac.uk/universitys-...
Priestley members are leading sustainability breakthroughs:
✅SwitchDye spin-out: cutting chemicals in polyester dye
✅Research on clothing durability to reduce waste
climate.leeds.ac.uk/universitys-...
COP30 in Belém began with optimism but ended with mixed results.
In her latest blog, Catriona Flesher, PhD researcher in Loss and Damage, explores what #COP30 tells us about the evolving role of the UNFCCC
climate.leeds.ac.uk/hope-and-har...
In her latest blog, Catriona Flesher, PhD researcher in Loss and Damage, explores what #COP30 tells us about the evolving role of the UNFCCC
climate.leeds.ac.uk/hope-and-har...
Hope and hard lessons: COP30 and the changing role of the UNFCCC - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
High hopes and heavy hearts COP30 was met with an air of optimism in climate policy, coming on the heels of several COPs hosted in oil-producing states; just last year, the COP29 President in Azerbai...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:53 PM
COP30 in Belém began with optimism but ended with mixed results.
In her latest blog, Catriona Flesher, PhD researcher in Loss and Damage, explores what #COP30 tells us about the evolving role of the UNFCCC
climate.leeds.ac.uk/hope-and-har...
In her latest blog, Catriona Flesher, PhD researcher in Loss and Damage, explores what #COP30 tells us about the evolving role of the UNFCCC
climate.leeds.ac.uk/hope-and-har...
New research shows cutting energy demand could be the cheapest, fastest route to net zero.
Priestley members & partners demonstrate how changes in travel, heating, & consumption can cut emissions, save money, & improve lives - challenging current UK energy policy.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/cutting...
Priestley members & partners demonstrate how changes in travel, heating, & consumption can cut emissions, save money, & improve lives - challenging current UK energy policy.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/cutting...
Cutting energy demand could be the cheapest, most efficient route to net zero, new research says - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
Reducing the UK’s energy demand could help the country reach its net zero target faster and at half the cost compared to relying mainly on supply-side technologies, according to new research by energy...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:55 AM
New research shows cutting energy demand could be the cheapest, fastest route to net zero.
Priestley members & partners demonstrate how changes in travel, heating, & consumption can cut emissions, save money, & improve lives - challenging current UK energy policy.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/cutting...
Priestley members & partners demonstrate how changes in travel, heating, & consumption can cut emissions, save money, & improve lives - challenging current UK energy policy.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/cutting...
Despite #COP30 coming to a close, the work of our Leeds delegates continues. Food systems have been a hot topic at this year's COP, and Oscar Abel Sánchez-Velázquez has written an article explaining why.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/how-can-our-...
climate.leeds.ac.uk/how-can-our-...
How Can Our Food Systems Help Us Adapt to Climate Change? - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
Extreme heat, crop failures, disrupted supply chains, and rising food prices are becoming part of our daily reality. As climate change accelerates, our food systems—already responsible for around a th...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Despite #COP30 coming to a close, the work of our Leeds delegates continues. Food systems have been a hot topic at this year's COP, and Oscar Abel Sánchez-Velázquez has written an article explaining why.
climate.leeds.ac.uk/how-can-our-...
climate.leeds.ac.uk/how-can-our-...
We’ve been busy at #COP30 in Belém!
🌍 From carbon budgets to climate-resilient food systems, the University of Leeds team has been everywhere. Here’s what we’ve been up to 👇 (1/6)
🌍 From carbon budgets to climate-resilient food systems, the University of Leeds team has been everywhere. Here’s what we’ve been up to 👇 (1/6)
November 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM
We’ve been busy at #COP30 in Belém!
🌍 From carbon budgets to climate-resilient food systems, the University of Leeds team has been everywhere. Here’s what we’ve been up to 👇 (1/6)
🌍 From carbon budgets to climate-resilient food systems, the University of Leeds team has been everywhere. Here’s what we’ve been up to 👇 (1/6)
Fantastic to see Dominick Spracklen and his team involved in this report presented at COP30 yesterday. Leeds research on tropical forests and local climate is contributing to the crucial discussion about how forests are integral a vital support system for agriculture.
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
COP30: Forests drive agricultural success, not conflict, report shows
FAO-led report says protecting and restoring forests is crucial to boosting climate-resilient agriculture, rural livelihoods and global food and water security
www.fao.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Fantastic to see Dominick Spracklen and his team involved in this report presented at COP30 yesterday. Leeds research on tropical forests and local climate is contributing to the crucial discussion about how forests are integral a vital support system for agriculture.
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
Watch this interview with Oscar Sánchez Velázquez, a PhD researcher who is part of the University's #COP30 delegation.
Based in the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition, Oscar's area of work focuses on sustainable food systems.
youtu.be/4Kp-dWmIHps?...
Based in the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition, Oscar's area of work focuses on sustainable food systems.
youtu.be/4Kp-dWmIHps?...
Food systems and COP30 | Meet Leeds delegate Oscar Sanchez Velazquez
YouTube video by Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Watch this interview with Oscar Sánchez Velázquez, a PhD researcher who is part of the University's #COP30 delegation.
Based in the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition, Oscar's area of work focuses on sustainable food systems.
youtu.be/4Kp-dWmIHps?...
Based in the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition, Oscar's area of work focuses on sustainable food systems.
youtu.be/4Kp-dWmIHps?...
Reposted by Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
Read our new #COP30 blog by Dr Ruth Wade & Profs Guy Ziv and Pippa Chapman: 'Farming in an unpredictable climate'.
They explore the impact of climate change on UK farming and how farmers might mitigate and adapt by using regenerative agriculture practices.
Read blog: medium.com/globalfoodle...
They explore the impact of climate change on UK farming and how farmers might mitigate and adapt by using regenerative agriculture practices.
Read blog: medium.com/globalfoodle...
November 19, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Read our new #COP30 blog by Dr Ruth Wade & Profs Guy Ziv and Pippa Chapman: 'Farming in an unpredictable climate'.
They explore the impact of climate change on UK farming and how farmers might mitigate and adapt by using regenerative agriculture practices.
Read blog: medium.com/globalfoodle...
They explore the impact of climate change on UK farming and how farmers might mitigate and adapt by using regenerative agriculture practices.
Read blog: medium.com/globalfoodle...
#COP30 enters its final stretch in Belém: ministers focus on finance, fossil fuel phase-out, and real-world delivery. Key outcomes so far: clean energy investment, sustainable fuels plan, adaptation funding. Follow updates: unfccc.int/cop30/meetin... #COP30 #ClimateAction
November 20, 2025 at 10:58 AM
#COP30 enters its final stretch in Belém: ministers focus on finance, fossil fuel phase-out, and real-world delivery. Key outcomes so far: clean energy investment, sustainable fuels plan, adaptation funding. Follow updates: unfccc.int/cop30/meetin... #COP30 #ClimateAction
Our director Piers Forster has written an article for @theconversation.com on 'The fast-fix for global warming that the UN climate summit can’t ignore'.
Written at COP30, the piece exposes how attitudes toward short-lived climate pollutants need to change
theconversation.com/the-fast-fix...
Written at COP30, the piece exposes how attitudes toward short-lived climate pollutants need to change
theconversation.com/the-fast-fix...
The fast-fix for global warming that the UN climate summit can’t ignore
Removing so-called ‘short-lived climate pollutants’ from the atmosphere could reduce global warming – fast.
theconversation.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Our director Piers Forster has written an article for @theconversation.com on 'The fast-fix for global warming that the UN climate summit can’t ignore'.
Written at COP30, the piece exposes how attitudes toward short-lived climate pollutants need to change
theconversation.com/the-fast-fix...
Written at COP30, the piece exposes how attitudes toward short-lived climate pollutants need to change
theconversation.com/the-fast-fix...
Food drives climate change—and suffers from it. Nearly 1/3 of emissions come from food systems, now hit by floods, droughts & heatwaves. At #COP30, transforming them is central to climate action.
Read Dr Rosario Michel-Villarreal’s article: climate.leeds.ac.uk/why-food-lie... #FoodSystems #COP30
Read Dr Rosario Michel-Villarreal’s article: climate.leeds.ac.uk/why-food-lie... #FoodSystems #COP30
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Food drives climate change—and suffers from it. Nearly 1/3 of emissions come from food systems, now hit by floods, droughts & heatwaves. At #COP30, transforming them is central to climate action.
Read Dr Rosario Michel-Villarreal’s article: climate.leeds.ac.uk/why-food-lie... #FoodSystems #COP30
Read Dr Rosario Michel-Villarreal’s article: climate.leeds.ac.uk/why-food-lie... #FoodSystems #COP30
Day 10 at #COP30. Today is about food, agriculture, and equity at their roots.
Piers is speaking at a session on innovations for carbon neutrality and energy system transformation.
Matthaeus will be on a panel discussing building youth alliance across Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
Piers is speaking at a session on innovations for carbon neutrality and energy system transformation.
Matthaeus will be on a panel discussing building youth alliance across Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
November 19, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Day 10 at #COP30. Today is about food, agriculture, and equity at their roots.
Piers is speaking at a session on innovations for carbon neutrality and energy system transformation.
Matthaeus will be on a panel discussing building youth alliance across Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
Piers is speaking at a session on innovations for carbon neutrality and energy system transformation.
Matthaeus will be on a panel discussing building youth alliance across Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
Priestley member, Prof Simon Lewis, features in The Guardian, discussing the Congo Basin and how it is one of the world’s most vital carbon sinks, but it is losing out when it comes to climate policy and funding
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#COP30 #tropicalrainforests #CongoBasin
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#COP30 #tropicalrainforests #CongoBasin
The rainforest the world forgot: the Congo basin is the second largest on Earth, so why is it being neglected?
It is one of the world’s most vital carbon sinks, but this tropical rainforest is losing out when it comes to climate policy and funding
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Priestley member, Prof Simon Lewis, features in The Guardian, discussing the Congo Basin and how it is one of the world’s most vital carbon sinks, but it is losing out when it comes to climate policy and funding
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#COP30 #tropicalrainforests #CongoBasin
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#COP30 #tropicalrainforests #CongoBasin
#COP30 Leeds delegate Isidora Xenaki discusses wildfires, their impact, and why they need to be discussed at COP30 in this article written for the Priestley Centre's website 🔥
climate.leeds.ac.uk/moving-from-...
climate.leeds.ac.uk/moving-from-...
Moving from Early Warnings to Early Actions – Wildfire Edition - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
Isidora Xenaki, a Leeds at COP30 delegate, writes about one of the biggest threats facing Earth's forests - wildfires: As COP30 convenes near the Amazon rainforest, delegates have been engaging in dis...
climate.leeds.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
#COP30 Leeds delegate Isidora Xenaki discusses wildfires, their impact, and why they need to be discussed at COP30 in this article written for the Priestley Centre's website 🔥
climate.leeds.ac.uk/moving-from-...
climate.leeds.ac.uk/moving-from-...
Isidora Xenaki, a visiting researching assistant at the University of Leeds, explains her interest in the impact of elevated heat and droughts on wildfire regimes.
Watch to learn about her research and why she is eager for wildfires to be part of the conversation at #COP30
youtu.be/YrBFijKmhec?...
Watch to learn about her research and why she is eager for wildfires to be part of the conversation at #COP30
youtu.be/YrBFijKmhec?...
Wildfires and COP30 | Meet Leeds delegate Isidora Xenaki
YouTube video by Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Isidora Xenaki, a visiting researching assistant at the University of Leeds, explains her interest in the impact of elevated heat and droughts on wildfire regimes.
Watch to learn about her research and why she is eager for wildfires to be part of the conversation at #COP30
youtu.be/YrBFijKmhec?...
Watch to learn about her research and why she is eager for wildfires to be part of the conversation at #COP30
youtu.be/YrBFijKmhec?...
Keep hearing about COP (Conference of the Parties) but not sure what it is? In this video, Dr Nicole Nisbett explains what COP is and why it's important ➡️ youtu.be/qVFODdvHX0E?...
#COP30 #WhatisCOP
#COP30 #WhatisCOP
What is COP?
YouTube video by Priestley Centre for Climate Futures
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Keep hearing about COP (Conference of the Parties) but not sure what it is? In this video, Dr Nicole Nisbett explains what COP is and why it's important ➡️ youtu.be/qVFODdvHX0E?...
#COP30 #WhatisCOP
#COP30 #WhatisCOP
Day 9 at #COP30
Today's focus continues on from yesterday, which is to elevate both planetary and community stewardship, showcasing inclusive, grounded, and nature-aligned solutions. 🌎
Check out the graphic below to see how Leeds is involved today ⬇️
Today's focus continues on from yesterday, which is to elevate both planetary and community stewardship, showcasing inclusive, grounded, and nature-aligned solutions. 🌎
Check out the graphic below to see how Leeds is involved today ⬇️
November 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Day 9 at #COP30
Today's focus continues on from yesterday, which is to elevate both planetary and community stewardship, showcasing inclusive, grounded, and nature-aligned solutions. 🌎
Check out the graphic below to see how Leeds is involved today ⬇️
Today's focus continues on from yesterday, which is to elevate both planetary and community stewardship, showcasing inclusive, grounded, and nature-aligned solutions. 🌎
Check out the graphic below to see how Leeds is involved today ⬇️
🌊 Day 8 of #COP30 focuses on oceans. Prof. Viktoria Spaiser explains why Earth System Tipping Points — like coral reef die-off — must be on the agenda. Watch her insights and hopes for COP30 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk0T...
#ClimateAction #GlobalTippingPoints
#ClimateAction #GlobalTippingPoints
November 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
🌊 Day 8 of #COP30 focuses on oceans. Prof. Viktoria Spaiser explains why Earth System Tipping Points — like coral reef die-off — must be on the agenda. Watch her insights and hopes for COP30 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk0T...
#ClimateAction #GlobalTippingPoints
#ClimateAction #GlobalTippingPoints