Search results (80)
« Back to NewsRedefining net zero will not stop global warming, new study shows
18 November 2024
In a new study led by the Department of Physics, an international group of researchers who developed the science behind net zero demonstrate that relying on ‘natural carbon sinks’ like forests and oceans to offset ongoing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use will not actually stop global warming.
Academics call for ambitious actions at UN Climate Change Conference COP29
11 November 2024
Launching today, the UN Climate Change Conference for 2024 (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, will bring together around 200 countries to develop renewed plans for addressing climate change
In The Conversation: Getting carbon capture right will be hard – but that doesn’t make it optional
18 October 2024
Professor Myles Allen, Department of Physics and School of Geography and the Environment, sets out the case for focussing on the big picture – why we need Carbon Capture and Storage to work
First use of weather forecasts to show human impact on extreme weather
30 May 2024
Researchers from the Department of Physics, led by Professor Myles Allen, demonstrate the use of state-of-the-art weather forecasts to show how greenhouse gas emissions affect extreme weather.
New algorithm supercharges climate models and could lead to better predictions of future climate change
2 May 2024
Professor Samar Khatiwala, from the Department of Earth Sciences, has led a major advance to solve a critical issue in modelling future climate change. The findings have been published in Science Advances.
Oxford researchers comment on the plastic waste crisis for Earth Day 2024
22 April 2024
Each year, Earth Day acts as a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for the planet. For the 2024 Earth Day, taking place today, the theme is ‘Planet vs Plastics.’ Oxford University researchers comment on the global plastic waste crisis, and the opportunities and challenges in moving to a sustainable plastics economy.
New study reveals insight into which animals are most vulnerable to extinction due to climate change
8 March 2024
A new study led by researchers at the University of Oxford has used the fossil record to better understand what factors make animals more vulnerable to extinction from climate change. The results, published today in the journal Science, could help to identify species most at risk today from human-driven climate change.
From The Conversation: Global warming may be behind an increase in the frequency and intensity of cold spells
4 March 2024
Beatriz Monge-Sanz from the Department of Physics discusses a less obvious consequence of global warming which is attracting growing attention from scientists.
Oxford researchers launch updated carbon offsetting principles
28 February 2024
An interdisciplinary team of Oxford University researchers have today released an update to flagship guidance on credible and net zero aligned carbon offsetting, which has been used by hundreds of organisations since its publication in 2020.
Urgent call for UK Government to develop a heat resilience strategy
31 January 2024
A new Parliamentary report spearheaded by Oxford University researchers has urged the UK Government to introduce a national heat resilience strategy to prepare the UK for the widespread impacts of a warming world.
COP28 Expert Comment from across Oxford University
14 December 2023
There has been considerable debate and discussion over the best path forward, but there was general agreement among Oxford researchers about the devastating impact of fossil fuels and the need to phase out their use, while supporting nature-based solutions, developing renewables and switching to clean energy.
Oxford scientist to lead international transdisciplinary consortium towards delivering NetZero Healthcare
12 December 2023
The European Union Horizon Europe (with joint funding from UK Research Innovation) has awarded the NetZeroAICT Consortium major funding to develop a novel technology with great potentials to promote climate neutral and sustainable health care.
Oxford Engineering student wins 'Prototypes for Humanity' innovation award at COP28
12 December 2023
'Prototypes for Humanity' recognises innovators in science and engineering, working on solutions for social and environmental issues.
End-of-the-world scare stories have the opposite effect: celebrated conservationist EJ Milner-Gulland accentuates the positive
22 November 2023
Professor Milner-Gulland, who leads three programmes at the Oxford Martin School, has been a conservationist for more than 30 years. But, she maintains, end-of-the-world scare stories will make people fear it is too late, there is nothing they can do, and they will bury their heads in the sand.
Nature-based solutions are essential for Brazil to meet its 2050 net zero pledge
1 November 2023
The study by researchers in the Department of Biology also concluded that halting deforestation is the single most important mitigation measure Brazil can take towards net zero emissions by 2050 while preventing biodiversity loss.
New training centre will bridge the gap between environmental science and AI to address global environmental challenges
31 October 2023
Backed by over £15 million funding, the new UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for the Environment (The Intelligent Earth Centre) will combine the University’s strengths in artificial intelligence, machine learning, Big Data, and environmental sciences.
New research finds that warm summers and wet winters yield better wine vintages
12 October 2023
Wine quality is notorious for varying from year to year, but what makes for a “good year”? A new study has found that weather plays a critically important role in determining wine quality. By analysing 70 years’ worth of wine critic scores from the Bordeaux wine region in relation to that year’s weather, the researchers showed that higher quality wine is made in years with warmer temperatures, higher winter rainfall, and earlier, shorter growing seasons—conditions that climate change is predicted to make more frequent.
Ancient carbon in rocks releases as much CO2 as the world’s volcanoes
5 October 2023
A new study led by the Department of Earth Sciences has overturned the view that natural rock weathering acts as a CO2 sink, indicating instead that this can act as a large CO2 source, rivalling that of volcanoes. The results, published today in the journal Nature, have important implications for modelling climate change scenarios.
From The Conversation: How weather ‘blocks’ have triggered more extreme heatwaves and floods across Europe
15 September 2023
Professor Tim Woollings from the Department of Physics discusses the 'blocking events' that have resulted in Europe’s weather getting stuck in long periods of hot, wet or cool weather this summer.
From The Conversation: One of 2023’s most extreme heatwaves is happening in the middle of winter
8 August 2023
Matthew Patterson, Postdoctoral Research Assistant in in Atmospheric Physics, discusses the recent extreme heatwave in the Chilean Andes.