Professor John Barrett awarded OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Leading academic researchers, a former Vice-Chancellor, Leeds alumni and a University Council member have been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for their services to the country.

Awardees include Professor John Barrett, Chair in Energy and Climate Policy, who has been named as an Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, said: “These honours are richly-deserved, reflecting the fantastic work of remarkable colleagues past and present and members of our alumni community. I am personally thrilled for each and every recipient.

“This recognition of their services demonstrates the breadth of talent that the University attracts, and reflects our community’s commitment to harness research expertise and education to help shape a better future for all.”

Professor Barrett is part of Leeds’ School of Earth and Environment and the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI). He receives an OBE for services to climate change assessment.

He said: “Addressing the climate crisis is becoming increasingly urgent and requires robust and sound evidence. I’m delighted to have been acknowledged for my contribution to this evidence base and to climate change assessment more broadly.

“This has only been possible through close collaboration with outstanding researchers over the past 20 years – I would not be receiving this honour without them.”

Professor Barrett was part of a team of researchers who provided the underpinning evidence for the UK government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. He also was a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 5th Assessment for Working Group III, which focused on climate change mitigation, assessing methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

He is co-director of the Centre for Research on Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS) leading projects that provide a positive vision on how the UK can rapidly reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions while providing a high quality of life for all.