Climate webinar series

In 2023 the Met Office ran a series of climate science webinars following on from a number of events ahead of COP27 in 2022.  Below you will find details of these past events including video recordings and written summaries.

Details of upcoming events will be added below including registration links when available.

 

Upcoming events

There are no current planned events. Look out for details of other webinars in this series by following @MetOffice_Sci on X (formerly Twitter).

 

Past events

Managing the risks from climate tipping points

A climate tipping point refers to a critical threshold when global or regional climate change causes changes from one stable state to another stable state. Examples include the melting of the Arctic ice sheets leading to sea level rise or rainforest dieback caused by deforestation, which in turn reduces the carbon sink benefits of these tropical forests. Tipping points are also often associated with cascading impacts, where one impact leads to another.

In this webinar in September 2023, we looked at the latest science on tipping points and considered how mitigation and adaptation can help reduce the likelihood of these events taking place and address the potential impacts.

We were joined by speakers from the University of Exeter, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Climate Sense.

You can view a recording of this event on YouTube or read an event summary.

 

Adaptation: taking evidence-based action

In this webinar in July 2023, we explored the importance of taking an evidence-based approach to adaptation, considering the current level of implementation in the UK as well as the latest UK Government vision for adaptation. We also heard about examples of adaptation in practice.

We were joined by speakers from Marsh McLennan/Grantham Research Institute/Climate Change Committee, Defra, Clinton Devon Estates and JBA Consulting.

You can view a recording of this event on YouTube or read an event summary.

 

Co-benefits of the climate action imperative

In this webinar in May 2023, we discussed the co-benefits of climate action such as those on health and wellbeing. In addition to science and policy perspectives, we also heard about how co-benefits are already being realised in some communities. We were joined by speakers from the University of Leeds, Ricardo Energy and Environment/the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Belfast City Council.

You can view a recording of this event on YouTube or read an event summary.

 

Mitigation: a road to Net Zero

In this webinar in March 2023, we considered what is meant by Net Zero and looked at the UK Government’s priorities for achieving their aim of reaching Net Zero by 2050. We considered the science backdrop and how this can help with the implementation of Net Zero, sharing lessons learnt by the Met Office in implementing our Net Zero strategy. Finally, we discussed industry sustainability. We were joined by speakers from the University of Leeds, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Civil Aviation Authority.

You can view a recording of this event on YouTube or read an event summary.

 

Pathways to 1.5°C

 

 

In this webinar in October 2022, we considered whether we are on track to limit warming to 1.5°C, also exploring overshoot and the co-benefits of tackling climate change. We were joined by speakers from University College London, the University of Leeds and the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

You can view a recording of the event on YouTube or read an event summary.

 

 

How can science and services help global food supply?

 

 

In this webinar in October 2022, we considered the impacts of climate change on the resilience of the food system and how this is factored into decision making. We were joined by speakers from the University of the West of England, Defra and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).  

You can view a recording of the event on YouTube and read an event summary.

 

Climate adaptation: Africa on the frontline

In this webinar in October 2022, we explored the impacts of climate change on the African continent, a region disproportionately affected by our changing climate. We were joined by speakers from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre.

You can view a recording of the event on YouTube and read an event summary.