Suraje Dessai Appointed to European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change

The Management Board of the European Environment Agency (EEA) designated yesterday the EU scientific experts that will be members of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change for its second term, from 2026 until 2030. The independent advisory body, tasked to provide the European Union (EU) with scientific knowledge, expertise and advice relating to climate change, will begin its second term on 24 March 2026.

Professor Suraje Dessai, Principal Fellow at the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and Professor of Climate Change Adaptation in the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, is one of the 15 independent senior scientific experts appointed to the European Scientific Advisory Board and Climate Change, established under the European Climate Law in 2021. Professor Dessai has been appointed for his second mandate.

The Advisory Board provides independent scientific advice on EU measures and climate targets and their coherence with the European Climate Law and the EU's international commitments under the Paris Agreement, which will underpin the EU’s climate action and efforts to reach climate neutrality by 2050.

During its first term (2022-2026), the Advisory Board provided advice on important issues such as the EU’s 2040 target, policy gaps and opportunities to reach EU’s climate targets, carbon dioxide removals and EU’s response to the energy crisis and energy infrastructure. The Advisory Board will publish two more reports on adaptation and agriculture before the end of its first term.

The Advisory Board operates independently from EU institutions. Its members are designated by the EEA Management Board for a 4-year term, renewable once, following an open, fair and transparent selection procedure.

Professor Dessai said of his appointment:

I’m delighted and honoured to have been appointed as member of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change for its second term, from 2026 until 2030. In a rapidly changing world with increasing climate misinformation, robust, independent and transparent scientific analysis is more important than ever to help policymakers navigate complex choices and trade-offs.