"We need to take the role of trees and green spaces in our towns and cities more seriously – these aren't just nice-to-have, they are critical infrastructure." Read the latest research from Priestley Members on trees in urban areas: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/tree-co...

Tree cover is key to cooling cities - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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.

climate.leeds.ac.uk

Climate change is affecting workers' health, wellbeing and productivity year-round, new report finds. 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: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/climate...

Climate change is affecting workers' health, wellbeing and productivity year-round, new report finds  - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

'Extreme weather is often told as a human story. A new ITV documentary series, Force of Nature reminds us that it is an ecological story too.' Priestley member Prof. Jim McQuaid has co-authored this piece in The Conversation about this timely documentary: theconversation.com/force-of-nat...

Force of Nature shows how extreme weather pushes wildlife to its limits

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

theconversation.com

🌡️ 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. 🔬 New research from the University of Leeds is challenging long-held assumptions about Earth's climate history: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/underst...

Understanding Earth’s past temperatures - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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.leeds.ac.uk

This new open-access book, developed through the Priestley Climate Scholars programme, brings together diverse perspectives on one of society's greatest challenges: how to build fairer and more sustainable climate futures. Read it now: www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-edi...

Climate Futures Across Disciplines | A Next Generation Approach | Susa

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

taylorfrancis.com

🎉 The University of Leeds has been re-selected for the new Met Office Academic Partnership Science Delivery Framework. As a founding member, Leeds will build on 16+ years of world-leading weather, climate & environmental research. Find out more: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/leeds-s... 🌦️🌍 #ClimateScience

Leeds Secures Renewed MOAP Partnership to Advance Weather and Climate Research - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

Met Office - weather and climate@metoffice.gov.uk · 3w ago

We’re excited to announce the refreshed Met Office Academic Partnership, with a renewed line‑up of world‑class university partners. Together with our academic partners, we’re looking ahead to an ambitious new phase of scientific discovery and national capability. Find out more 👇

We're looking for a Research and Innovation Development Manager to join our team on a 13-month fixed-term contract. Closing date: Wed 22 July. Apply here: jobs.leeds.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...

Priestley Centre for Climate Futures@priestleycentre.bsky.social · last mo.

We're hiring! The Centre is looking for a Research and Innovation Development Manager to join our team on a 13-month contract. Advance climate research and innovation by supporting funding applications and building partnerships across academia, policy and industry. jobs.leeds.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...

Priestley Director Professor Piers Forster features in the Guardian debunking the idea that smaller countries’ climate actions are insignificant. Professor Forster urges against politicians adopting a 'buck-passing' attitude to delay cuts to pollution. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

‘But we’re just 1% of emissions’: do smaller countries’ climate efforts matter?

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

theguardian.com

1️⃣0️⃣ A visualisation of 10 years of the Priestley Centre 🔍 Click through the graphic to see how we went from a core team of three to a team of 20 and a community of 520+ members! climate.leeds.ac.uk/priestley10y...

The first Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels conference occurred in April 2026. Professor Richard Beardsworth, principle fellow of the Priestley Centre, reflects on what the conference revealed about the future of climate leadership edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader...

Open Access Government

Open Access Government - Issue 51 July 2026

edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk

Priestley Centre member @amybenno.bsky.social was interviewed by @science.org for this piece on giant trees and drought resilience. An impressive study, but it doesn't overturn previous work: drought responses depend on the forest, the type of drought, & tree traits www.science.org/content/arti...

Being a taller tree doesn’t doom you to drought after all

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

science.org

As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, we recognised four outstanding members of the Priestley community Congratulations to Alex Romero Prieto, Elliott Johnson, Prof Alex Beresford & Dr Ruth Bookbinder for their impactful climate research and collaboration. climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/priestl...

Priestley Centre marks 10 years with prizes celebrating collaboration and impact - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

We're hiring! The Centre is looking for a Research and Innovation Development Manager to join our team on a 13-month contract. Advance climate research and innovation by supporting funding applications and building partnerships across academia, policy and industry. jobs.leeds.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...

As the Centre turns 10, we continue to reflect on the people and partnerships driving climate action. The Priestley Scholars programme stands out as an example of how investing in people & networks, particularly our students, can shape the future of climate action climate.leeds.ac.uk/priestley-sc...

Priestley Scholars: Connecting People, Ideas, and Impact Across Campus - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

🦫 Give a dam about flooding reduction? 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 and Priestley Members! Read the story - climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/beavers...

Beavers help reduce flood risk and boost nature in Yorkshire trial - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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 ...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

New research is tackling climate risk head-on. A £1.2m UKRI-funded project is developing an early warning system to help insurers respond to flooding, drought & extreme weather, before impacts escalate. 🌍 Learn more: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/protect... #Climate #Insurance #Resilience #Research

Protecting insurance in a changing climate - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

From its inception, the Priestley Centre has recognised that our world‑leading climate research can inform real-world decision making. Hear from Priestley's Policy Impact Lead Dr Debbie Rosen on how and why the Centre is involved with global climate policy. climate.leeds.ac.uk/connecting-w...

Connecting with Global Climate Policy - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

📢The latest Indicators of Global Climate Change report has been published today: doi.org/10.5194/essd... Created by over 70 leading international scientists, this annual update provides key indicators of the state of the climate system and human influence. Read the thread to see key findings 👇 [1/9]

Indicators of Global Climate Change 2025: annual update of key indicators of the state of the climate system and human influence

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...

doi.org

Today the Priestley Centre co-hosted a side event at SB64 in Bonn. The session focused on perspectives following the Transitioning Aways from Fossil Fuels conference in Santa Marta, exploring how national fossil fuel phase-out roadmaps can reduce climate harm while maximising economic benefit.

Proud to be an EarthScale partner supporting its second cohort of climate tech startups. From biomaterials to decarbonising the built environment, circular economy and energy systems, these innovators are scaling real impact. Congratulations all! Learn more: earthscale.co.uk/earthscale-a...

EarthScale announces its second cohort of climate tech ventures - EarthScale

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...

earthscale.co.uk

Proud to see our students at UNFCCC's (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) #SB64 in Bonn! PhD researcher Prahelika Deka presents a poster today - tackling eco-anxiety through education, dialogue & collective action. She's also leading ACE dialogues with policymakers & youth.

Meet the University of Leeds delegation at #SB64 Bringing research, policy insight & student engagement to global climate talks (June 8–18, 2026), with colleagues contributing both in Bonn and online: climate.leeds.ac.uk/unfcccandcop... Follow along for updates. #ClimateAction #ResearchImpact

Experts from the University of Leeds played a central role in the UK’s latest Climate Change Risk Assessment, with Priestley Chair Professor Jason Lowe OBE leading the Technical Report that underpins national adaptation planning. climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/leeds-r...

Leeds researchers help shape landmark UK climate risk assessment - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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 ...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

🚂 From low‑carbon travel to low‑carbon heating... could rail tunnels do both? New research from the University of Leeds shows that underground rail tunnels could double as a low‑carbon heat source for nearby homes and businesses. climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/new-rai...

New rail tunnels could heat homes - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

Tackling India’s waste crisis Research led by the Uni of Leeds, in collaboration with partners across India, Hong Kong and the UK, highlights how joined‑up, international approaches are key to solving one of India’s most pressing environmental challenges: waste climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/tacklin...

Tackling India’s waste crisis - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

Following his recent CBE, we’re proud to share that Professor Piers Forster, Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, has been elected a Fellow of The Royal Society (FRS), one of the highest distinctions for a scientist. climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/profess...

Professor Piers Forster elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

We’ve received 97 Climate Launchpad UK applications from 34 cities! Excited to see the strong representation across circular industry, deep tech & emissions reduction. Stay tuned to see which go on to become finalists 🌍 #ClimateInnovation #NetZero #CleanTech

On Tuesday our Director, Professor Piers Forster, received a CBE from Prince William, Prince of Wales, in recognition of his work to tackle climate change. Congratulations to Piers on this well-deserved honour. A proud moment for the Priestley Centre.

What does it take for research to actually shape decisions? As part of our 10th anniversary series, we’re spotlighting our Climate Evidence Unit: a team dedicated to making sure climate evidence doesn’t just sit on the page, but reaches the people who need it most climate.leeds.ac.uk/transforming...

The Climate Evidence Unit: Transforming evidence into action - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk

How can we protect Venice from rising sea levels? Research involving Priestley members explores long-term strategies needed to safeguard this iconic & vulnerable city. From strengthening existing flood barriers to more radical approaches like relocating the city ⬇️ climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/researc...

Researchers evaluate strategies to protect Venice from rising sea levels - Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

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...

climate.leeds.ac.uk