Exeter University has top UK climate scientists

They're in global top table too

Exeter University is home to the UK’s five most influential climate scientists.

Leading data news provider Reuters says the five academics are also in the top 21 in the world.

The UK Government’s Science and Innovation Audit in 2017 identified the south west as having internationally excellent science capability and assets in sustainability and environmental science. There are four times as many environmental scientists in Devon than the rest of the UK and of the 16 most cited climate scientists in the world, eight are in the UK and four of these are at Exeter.

The news comes as the university launches a Green Futures campaign ahead of the G7 in Cornwall and COP26 in Glasgow this year.

More than 500 researchers and professionals at the university work across climate change and the environment, including some of the world’s leading academics.

Their expertise includes biodiversity, energy, environmental intelligence, marine and positive tipping points. The Exeter team is also providing the technical lead for the government’s third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, and the Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence in partnership with the Met Office positions Exeter as a global hub for climate research.

The university is putting its research and education leadership in climate change at the heart of its own strategy. It plans to cut emissions and improve the environment on its campuses and beyond; reducing emissions by 30 per cent by 2025 (relative to 2018/19). The plan – which earned Exeter the sustainability prize in the 2020 Guardian University Awards – relies on evidence, transparency and partnerships.

Professor Lisa Roberts, vice-chancellor said: “As a university, and as a community, we are working together to tip the scales towards positive change. We will continue to pioneer new solutions across society to ensure a safe and stable environment and climate for future generations. And we stand ready to help others to do the same.”

Details of the university's Green Futures campaign at: https://greenfutures.exeter.ac.uk