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The Priestley Centre for Climate Futures is a world-leading climate centre based at the University of Leeds. From local to global, we ensure that climate action is informed by the latest research, collaborating with organisations and individuals to transform our expertise into real-world impact.
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Expedition examines carbon impact of bottom trawling
Leeds researchers have played a key role in a pioneering study in the Irish Sea. It aims to address critical evidence gaps on the impact of bottom trawling on seabed carbon storage. Bottom trawling – the practice of dragging nets along the seabed for fishing – has long been known to disturb carbon stored in...
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, with flooding, drought, storms and poor air quality also affecting their health, wellbeing and ability to work. The report, Workers and Climate Adaptation at Work - produced by Priestley members and associates Professor...
Tree cover is key to cooling cities
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. Weather measurements in Leeds have shown that many green spaces, such as parks, gardens and forests, were cooler than surrounding urban environments, also known as grey spaces. Treescapes...
Blog
Energy-efficient buildings cut bills, create jobs, and reduce emissions
Making the UK’s homes more energy efficient is one of the best ways we can reduce emissions whilst improving wellbeing. We can make homes warmer,...
Priestley Scholars: Connecting People, Ideas, and Impact Across Campus
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...
Connecting with Global Climate Policy
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. Throughout the past decade, that conviction has guided our...