10th Anniversary Blogs and Articles

As the Priestley Centre marks its 10th anniversary, founding Director Piers Forster looks back on a decade shaped by ambition, collaboration and an unwavering belief in evidence‑led climate action. From the optimism of the Paris Agreement to the creation and evolution of the Centre itself, Piers reflects on the moments, people and ideas that have defined Priestley’s journey so far, and shares his hopes for the next decade.

Since 2016, the Priestley Centre has brought together researchers, students, partners and communities to develop real-world climate solutions. 
To mark this milestone, we speak to Head of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, Shona Smith, who explains what the Centre does and shares some of the successes and challenges that have shaped its first 10 years.  

This blog highlights how the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures accelerates real‑world climate impact by connecting research, industry, policymakers and entrepreneurs through action‑focused innovation programmes that move ideas from concept to scale.

The Climate Evidence Unit (CEU), established in 2024, provides independent, policy-ready climate insights to support decision-makers across government, business, and beyond. By translating complex research into actionable guidance on issues like carbon capture, adaptation, and co-benefits, the CEU helps bridge the gap between academia and policy, enabling more informed and effective climate action.

The blog explains how the Priestley Centre has strengthened its role in linking climate research with global policy since 2016, especially through a coordinated University of Leeds UNFCCC Taskforce, formed initially around COP26. This has enabled more consistent engagement with international climate processes, providing evidence, supporting policymakers, and addressing misinformation, with initiatives like the Indicators of Global Climate Change helping inform decisions.

Professor James Ford took, academic lead of the Priestley Climate Scholars programme, reflects on how the programme is helping Priestley achieve its goal of empowering climate action.