University of Oxford
Myles Allen is Head of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics in the Department of Physics, University of Oxford, and Professor of Geosystem Science in the School of Geography and the Environment. His research focuses on how human and natural influences on climate contribute to climate change and risks of extreme weather. In 2005, Allen introduced the notion of a finite carbon budget, implying net zero emissions of carbon dioxide are necessary to halt global warming. He has been working on the implications ever since, most recently on the case for Geological Net Zero, or a balance between ongoing production of carbon dioxide from geological sources with carbon dioxide capture and geological storage. He has served on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, most recently as a Coordinating Lead Author on the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. He was awarded the Appleton Medal and Prize from the Institute of Physics “for his important contributions to the detection and attribution of human influence on climate and quantifying uncertainty in climate predictions“, featured on the BBC’s “Life Scientific” as “the physicist behind net zero”, was awarded a CBE “for services to climate change attribution, prediction and net zero” and is a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Plenary 2. Thursday 3 July. 9.40-12.00. – The carbon cycle and future climate pathways
Geological Net Zero and the future of fossil fuels
To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, we must stop fossil fuels from causing global warming before the world stops using fossil fuels. This requires Geological Net Zero, under which one tonne of CO2 is permanently restored to the geosphere for every tonne still generated from fossil sources, in addition to action to restore our biosphere. To track progress to Geological Net Zero, we need to start monitoring, reporting and reducing the net geological carbon intensity of all fossil fuels still in use, providing a simple and transparent metric of global, national or corporate progress towards meeting climate goals