Programme 2026

Keynote Speakers:  

• Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter 

• Professor Patrick Devine-Wright, Director of ACCESS (Advancing Capacity in Climate and Environment Social Science), University of Exeter 

• Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 

• Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 

• Rachel Kyte CMG, UK Climate Envoy

• Australian High Commissioner (TBC)

Vulnerability of the Natural Carbon Sinks, a System Under Increasing Human Pressure 

This session will explore the fate of the natural carbon cycle and how climate change and direct human activities such as land use change might have a profound, potentially irreversible negative impact on the land and ocean carbon systems. The session will get experts insight on the vulnerability of global carbon cycle as well as key systems such as the Amazon forest, peatlands and permafrost that are already experiencing  multiple human-induced stresses. 

Speakers to include: 

• Professor Pierre Friedlingstein FRS, Chair in Mathematical Modelling of the Climate System, University of Exeter 

• Professor Carlos Nobre FRS, Co-Chair of Science Panel for the Amazon 

• Professor Richard Betts MBE, Chair in Climate Impacts, University of Exeter 

• Professor Angela Gallego-Sala, Biogeochemist in the Department of Geography, University of Exeter 

Advances in Weather and Climate Modelling 

This session will explore the latest in climate modelling from the perspectives of the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP7), high resolution modelling, and how AI/ML can enhance climate modelling.  

Chair: Professor Mat Collins, Joint Met Office Chair in Climate Change 

Speakers to include: 

• Professor Pier Luigi Vidale, Professor of Climate System Science, University of Reading 

• Lizzie Kendon, Strategic Head of Climate Processes and Projections, Met Office 

• Professor Helene Hewitt OBE, Co-chair of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), Met Office

The Health Impacts of Climate Change – and a Look into the Future 

The session then shifts to an interactive “Future Backcasting Exercise”, in which participants work in small groups to envision a 2040 in which climate-related health harms have been significantly reduced – and to identify the policy changes, research breakthroughs, and finance and investment innovations that would made it possible. Groups will share their ideas in a closing plenary discussion.  

Session run by: 

• Professor Gesche Huebner, Director of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH) 

Speakers to include: 

• Professor Dann Mitchell (Professor of Climate Science and Deputy Head of School, University of Bristol) – leading the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment on Health and Wellbeing 

• Dr Emma Gillingham (Principal Climate Change Scientist, UK Health Security Agency – UKHSA) - mental health impacts of climate change. 

Developing a Resilience Sensing System for Sustainability and Security.

To help policymakers and business leaders understand and address these profound risks, this session introduces a proposal to create a Resilience Sensing System that can enable us to: spot and understand cascading tipping point risks; sense whether and to what degree we have cultural resilience to these, and; identify opportunities to mitigate impacts and build cultural resilience.  

• Workshop facilitator: Dr Ruth Fuller, International Development Policy Adviser, WWF-UK 

Speakers to include: 

• Dr Tanvir Ahmad, Research Fellow, Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter 

• Kirsty Lewis, Applied Climate Science Fellow, Met Office 

• Tala Budziszewski, Innovation Officer- Environment and Climate Action, UNHCR 

• Christina Xiao, Modelling and Evaluation Manager, C40 Cities 

This session will explore nature’s potential for addressing climate risks and delivering economic, environmental benefits. Critically, the session will explore what makes a successful NbS partnership, and the evidence needed to encourage more investment into nature-based solutions in the UK. 

• Moderator: Ben Dickenson Bampton, Communications Lead, Green Futures Solutions, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Rosalind Anders, Sustainability Strategy Manager, Santander 

• Dr Claire Johnstone, Strategic Funding Manager, Environment Agency 

• Rebecca Hunt, National Landscapes Association 

• Professor Duncan Russel, Professor in Environmental Policy, University of Exeter 

• Dr Martina Egedusevic, Nature Impact Fellow, Green Futures Solutions  

• Dr Dan Bloomfield, Nature and Biodiversity Specialist, Exeter Innovation 

This session will explore how disaster science is evolving in response to climate change, bringing together insights from climate science, technology, policy, business, and the social sciences. Drawing on emerging work that seeks to map the research landscape around disaster science, the discussion will examine how ideas of risk and resilience are changing in an era of cascading and multi-hazard events. 

Participants will explore whether current systems for producing, sharing, and applying scientific evidence are fit for purpose, how new technologies such as AI are reshaping disaster preparedness, and whether the communities most vulnerable to climate hazards are adequately represented in global research and decision-making. The session aims to spark a broader conversation about the future of disaster science in a warming world.  

• Chair: Rachel Martin, Global Director Sustainability, Elsevier 

Speakers to include: 

• Marco Serena, Chief Sustainable Impact Officer, PIDG (Private Infrastructure Development Group) 

• Camilla Bennett, CRO, Axa 

• Carmine Galasso, Editor in Chief, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (IJDRR) and professor of Catastrophe Risk Engineering at UCL 

• Professor Bryony Onciul, Personal Chair in Museology and Heritage Studies, University of Exeter, and Visiting Professor in Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Canada

(BINGO: Business and Industry Non Governmental Organisations, RINGO: Research and Independent Non Governmental Organisations, HERO: Higher Education and Research Organisations).  

Speakers to include: 

• High Commissioner of Australia (TBC) 

• Civil servants from Australian Federal Dept of Climate Change (TBC) 

• Dr Sam Mugume Koojo, Co-Chair, Coalition of Finance Ministers 

• Tania Kumar, Energy Transition Director (CBI) 

• Professor Miranda Barker OBE DL, Chair (Redcat Group) 

• Rachel Kyte CMG, UK Climate Envoy 

• Etienne Espagne, AFD 

Extreme Weather and Health Importance and Tools 

Speakers to include: 

• Professor Theo Economou, Associate Professor in Statistics, University of Exeter 

• Rosa Barciela, Weather and Climate Principal Scientific Consultant, Met Office 

• Dr Bernd Eggen, Senior Environmental Public Health Scientist in Environmental Epidemiology at UKHSA

Panel Session: The Amazon and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)  

Session run by: Rachel Kyte CMG, UK Climate Envoy 

Speakers to include: 

• Professor Tim Lenton OBE, Founding Director of the Global Systems Institute and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science, University of Exeter  

• Professor Carlos Nobre FRS, Co-Chair of Science Panel for the Amazon

Session run by: 

• Talwyn Whetter, Green Futures Solutions, University of Exeter. 

Speakers to include: 

• Gordon Bennett, Managing Director of Utility Markets and Global Head of Environmental Markets, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) 

• Tania Kumar, Energy Transition Director (CBI) 

• Professor Miranda Barker OBE DL, Chair (Redcat Group) 

• Rachel Delhaise, Chief Sustainability Officer, Convex Insurance 

• Daniel Hanna, Group Head of Sustainable & Transition Finance, Barclays (TBC) 

• Fiona Duggan, Global Sustainability Senior Manager, Unilever (TBC) 

• Session led by: Professor John Clarke, Co-director of Biodiversity and People Network, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Dr Ben Smith, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, Univesity of Exeter 

• Professor Nicola Whyte, Associate Professor of History and Environmental Humanities, University of Exeter 

• Dr Sally Flint, Lecturer in English/Creative Writing, University of Exeter 

• Professor Rosie Hails, National Trust (TBC) 

• Eden Project (TBC) 

• Amanda Ellis, Arizona State University, in conversation with Professor Claire Dunlop, Professor of Politics and Public Policy at the University of Exeter.

The target audiences are policymakers, humanitarian practitioners, conservation professionals, migration researchers, development actors, funders, and university or NGO audiences working on climate resilience, displacement, and nature-based solutions. 

Session run by: 

• Dr Josh Ayers, Nature and Climate Impact Team, University of Exeter. 

Speakers to include: 

• Hugo Slim, Director of the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice, University of Oxford 

• Dr Supriya Akerkar, Associate Professor, Disaster Risk Reduction, Oxford Brookes University 

• Yumna Kamel, Co-founder and Executive Director, Earth Refuge 
• Professor Ricardo Safra De Campos, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Exeter (TBC)

• Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Chief Scientist at Met Office in conversation with Professor Peter Cox CBE, Director of the Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter. 

• Dr Marina Romanello, Executive Director at Lancet Countdown introduced by Professor Gesche Huebner, Director of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health.

• Gordon Bennett, Managing Director of Utility Markets and Global Head of Environmental Markets, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in conversation with Dr Mike O’Sullivan, University of Exeter. 

Master of Ceremonies: 

• Professor Pierre Friedlingstein FRS, Chair in Mathematical Modelling of the Climate System, University of Exeter  

Keynote speakers to include: 

• Professor Steve Smith, Executive Director, Oxford Net Zero and CO2RE 

• Professor Corinne Le Quéré CBE FRS, Royal Society Research Professor of Climate Change Science, University of East Anglia 

• Dr Oliver Geden, Senior Fellow, Climate and Energy Policy at German Institute for International and Security Affairs and Vice-Chair Working Group III, IPCC 

Professor Miranda Barker OBE DL, Chair (Redcat Group) in conversation with 

• Professor Corinne Le Quéré CBE FRS 

• Professor Steve Smith 

• Professor Pierre Friedlingstein FRS, 

• Dr Oliver Geden 

Translating Climate Risks for Business  

This panel session brings together key players from insurance, finance, and disaster response, to share how extreme weather is affecting their organisations and how they are assessing, communicating, and responding to these risks. Speakers will highlight their approached and challenges for turning complex climate data into actionable business insights.  

• Session run by: Dr Matthew Priestley, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Paul Young, Head of Science, JBA Risk Management Ltd 

• Sandra Hansen, Head of International Peril Advisory & Climate Lead, Guy Carpenter 

• Dr Tony Rooke, Executive Director and Head of Transition Advisory, Howden 

Triple Win Opportunities in Responding to Climate Change: Improving the Environment, Health and Health Equity.  

The UKRI-funded Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions (Net Positive Centre) focuses on finding solutions to the climate challenge that deliver healthier lives and improve the environment, while considering equity (thus delivering “triple win” outcomes). By rethinking our cities, growing greener spaces, and transforming food systems, we can reduce emissions and ensure we’re not just responding to change but helping to shape a healthier, more resilient future. 

Six members of the Net Positive Centre, from the University of Exeter, the UK Health Security Agency, National Trust, and Forest Research, will pitch their vision of a Net+ Positive future, followed by a participatory panel discussion.

Session run by:  

• Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement and Honorary Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Exeter  

Speakers to include:  

• Professor Tim Taylor, Director of the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions, University of Exeter  

• Professor Conny Guell, Associate Professor in Anthropology of Health and Environment, University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment and Human Health  

• Professor Rosie Hails MBE, Director of Nature & Science, The National Trust  

• Dr Helen Macintyre, Principal Climate Change Scientist, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)  

• Penny Marno, Senior Specialist (Health), Natural England  

Tipping Points and Planetary Solvency

Session run by: 

• Professor Tim Lenton OBE, Founding Director of the Global Systems Institute and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Sandy Trust, Sustainability Risk Director, Baillie Gifford  

• Jo Paisley, President, Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) 

• Sarah Kapnick, Global Head of Climate Advisory, JP Morgan 

Workshop: Positive Tipping Points Toolkit  

• Session run by: Peter Lefort, Green Futures Network, University of Exeter. 

• Session chaired by: Rajani Naidoo, Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (People and Culture), University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Marco Serena, Chief Sustainable Impact Officer, PIDG (Private Infrastructure Development Group) 

• Dr Sam Mugume Koojo, Co-Chair, Coalition of Finance Ministers 

• Emily White, Chief Finance and Operations Officer, Centre for Disaster protection 

• Professor Eunice Oppon, Senior Lecturer at Exeter Business School Sustainable Futures department 

• Professor Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Professor of Climate Change, Food Systems & Health at LSHTM, and Director of the Lancet Countdown Africa Centre 

• Dr Etienne Espagne, Agence Française de Développement 

This interactive working session brings together perspectives from institutional communications, creative storytelling, campaigning, and mobilisation to explore how climate and nature communications can connect more effectively with broader audiences. 

Rather than a traditional panel discussion, the session is designed as a collaborative workshop combining short provocations, real-world examples, and facilitated group discussion. Participants will work together to surface tensions, identify barriers to public engagement, and generate practical, testable ideas for more effective climate and nature communication.  

• Session run by: Michelle Roopnarine, Nature Climate Impact Team, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Jennifer Minard, Former Head of Social, M+C Saatchi; Former Head of Digital Engagement, The Royal Household 

• Paul Goodenough, CEO and Founder, Rewriting Earth; Writer, Producer, Campaigner 

• Nik Gowing, Founder and Director at Thinking the Unthinkable 

• Peter Browning, CEO of Browning Environmental Communication 

• Greenpeace UK (TBC) 

• Forward Action (TBC)

Positive Tipping Points for Cities: Where Low and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) Cities are Leading the Way

At the same time, rapidly growing populations and economies present enormous opportunities for cleantech solutions such as solar energy, electric vehicles, and heat pumps for heating/cooling. LMIC cities therefore hold the potential to trigger global positive tipping points in key sectors if they can focus their efforts on leapfrogging fossil fuels and going all-in on the cleantech solutions of the future. 

This session is intended to highlight examples of where cities are leading the way, and to collaborate on developing topic themes for a report to be produced by C40 Cities and the University of Exeter.  

• Session run by: Dr Steven R. Smith, Tipping Points Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and Cormac Lynch-UoE 

Speakers to include: 

• Dan Firth, Director of Climate Policy Research, C40 Cities

• Mark Apsey MBE, Chief Executive Officer, Civic NetZero 

• Emily White, C40 cities 

• Devin O’Donnell, C40 cities

Poster session 

• Session chaired by: Professor Sarah Gurr, Chair in Food Security, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer (interim) and FSA Chief Scientific Adviser UK Health Security Agency 

• Baroness Natalie Bennett, Former Leader, Green Party 

• Professor Matthew Fisher, Imperial 

How can insurers, risk professionals, policymakers, and scientists improve modelling, underwriting and management of climate risks? 

This collaborative roundtable brings together insurers, risk professionals, policymakers and scientists to identify practical steps to improve modelling, underwriting and management of climate risks. Hosted by Howden and University of Exeter, discussions will focus on model granularity, cascading and tipping point risks, longer-term underwriting, and key barriers to insuring and managing climate-related exposures. The aim is practical and future facing: giving participants the chance to identify shared issues, and actionable steps to address them. 

How big is big: Co-producing Tail-Aware Climate & Nature Economic Scenarios for Ministries of Finance and Public Development Banks 

The event aims to identify practical pathways for developing more policy-relevant and user-centered scenarios, co-produced with public financial institutions to support resilient and forward-looking economic planning ahead of Climate Forum 2026.  

Speakers to include: 

• Dr Sam Mugume Koojo, Ministry of Finance, Uganda / CFMCA / Country Platform Hub 

• Professor Jean-François Mercure, University of Exeter 

• Dr Etienne Espagne, Agence Française de Développement 

• Representative, HM Treasury (TBC) 

• Representative, Ministry of Finance of Brazil (TBC) 

• Representative from Turkey (TBC) 

Tipping points, stress, and managing for the long-term future of the Great Barrier Reef

Many people ask whether coral reefs can have a future given the diversity of threats they face. Worse, some people already feel a sense of futility with local conservation measures. Here, I discuss the dynamics of coral reefs and explore their future, drawing heavily on the Great Barrier Reef.  First, I discuss the nature of tipping points as they pertain to coral reefs. These include ecological interactions (alternative stable states) and demographic tipping points, driven, for example, by Allee effects and failure of reproduction. Lastly, there are physiological tipping points beyond which the system ceases to be viable. 

Using complex simulation models of the entire GBR, driven by downscaled climate projections, I discuss the extent to which such tipping points will occur and the opportunities for enhanced reef management.  The session will then be opened up for discussion on a range of topics including reef futures, conservation, and the role of tipping points. 

Session run by: 

• Professor Peter Mumby, Professor of Coral Reef Ecology, University of Queensland 

• Nigel Topping CMG, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change; UN High Level Champion COP26 

 in conversation with Amanda Ellis, Arizona State University. 

The Chair of the Committee on Climate Change reviews where we stand on climate action, in conversation with former New Zealand UN Ambassador Amanda Ellis, now with the Julie-Ann Wrigley Laboratories at Arizona State University. 

• Keynote from Professor Tim Lenton OBE 

Tipping points to the rescue! Tim Lenton sets out how positive tipping points will be crucial to addressing the climate crisis 

Followed by a panel session:  How do we drive Positive Tipping Points in the energy transition? 

• Chaired by: Peter Browning, CEO, Browning Environmental Communications 

Panellists to include: 

• Professor Tim Lenton OBE, Founding Director of the Global Systems Institute and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science, University of Exeter 

• Thomas Parsons, Commercial Director, Good Energy 

• Cassie Sutherland, C40 Cities 

• Aidan Letham, Earthshot Prize

• Professor Richard Betts MBE, University of Exeter 

The Met Office Hadley Centre’s Head of Climate Impacts reviews the latest research on the impacts of climate change 

Panel session:  Understanding Climate Change, its impacts and how we adapt to them. Chaired by Professor Jennifer Catto, Professor in Weather and Climate, University of Exeter. 

Panellists to include:   

• Professor Sallie Bailey, Chief Scientist, Natural England 

• Professor Matt Lobley, Rural Social Scientist, University of Exeter 

• Professor Pete Falloon, Science Lead – Food Security, Met Office  

• Richard Deverell CBE, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 

Followed by a panel: What drives government action?  

How are decisions made and implemented in government? Speakers with deep experience of governments offer insight to researchers and businesses in understanding what does – and what doesn’t – make change happen. 

Chaired by: 

• Lord Michael Barber, Former Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and founder of Delivery Associates and The Chancellor to the University of Exeter. 

Panellists to include: 

• Professor Emily Shuckburgh CBE, Chief Scientific Adviser, DESNZ; Director, Cambridge Zero 

• Nigel Topping CMG, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change; UN High Level Champion COP26 

• Lord Jonathan Oates, Former Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg 

• Professor Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health 

Closing keynote speaker: 

• Professor Emily Shuckburgh CBE, Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) 

Tipping Points for Protecting Tropical Forests 

Tipping into new stable, deforestation-free states will require scaling of multiple coordinated and mutually reinforcing interventions including financial mechanisms, legal protections, supply chain interventions, indigenous leadership, new bioeconomies, and public mobilisation and narrative infrastructure, which act together to drive lasting, resilient systemic change. While top-down global initiatives have struggled to trigger this tipping point, some actions at regional and local scales or in particular supply chains have achieved significant successes. 

This session will offer perspectives on what has worked, what hasn’t, where the barriers to scaling lie, and how lessons from one region may inform efforts in another.  

Session run by: 

• Dr Tom Powell Research Impact Fellow in the Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter

• Co-convened with Dr Mike Barrett, Chief Scientific Advisor WWF-UK (TBC)

Session run by: 

• Professor Matt Lobley, Rural Social Scientist, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include:   

• Dr Kerry Ann Brown, Senior Lecturer- public and planetary health related to nutrition and food security, University of Exeter 

• Professor Pete Falloon, Science Lead – Food Security, Met Office 

• Melanie Squires MBE, Great South West Food Security Chair. 

• Dan Fairweather, Director – Food Systems and Nature, Howden Insurance 

• Harriet Bell, Riverford Regenerative Farming Lead 

Bringing together expertise from science, policy, finance, and conservation, the discussion will highlight how evidence-based approaches and nature-based solutions can unlock investment in ocean restoration and resilience. The session will also examine the role of ocean literacy, public engagement, and collaborative research in building the political and societal mandate needed to accelerate action at scale.  

• Chaired by: Ian McFadzen, Chief Executive Officer of the Ocean Conservation Trust Chief Executive Officer of the Ocean Conservation Trust 

Panellists to include: 

• Professor Peter Mumby, Professor of Coral Reef Ecology, University of Queensland 

• Tatiana Der Avedissian, Head of Business Development, World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group  

• Rachel Delhaise, Chief Sustainability Officer, Convex Insurance Group 

• Professor Ceri Lewis, University of Exeter  

• Sandrine Ricard (Global Director Engagement and Sustainability, Pernod Ricard (TBC) 

• Chaired by: Dr Dan Bloomfield,  Nature Recovery and Food Systems Lead, University of Exeter 

Panellists to include: 

• The Hon. Edward Fane Trefusis, Director and Partner, Clinton Devon Estates 

• Julien Calas, Research Officer on Biodiversity, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) 

• Emma Magee, Head of Communities and Nature on Dartmoor, Duchy of Cornwall 

• Dan Fairweather, Director – Food Systems and Nature, Howden 

• Professor Sallie Bailey, Chief Scientist, Natural England

The University of Exeter has long been recognised as a global leader in climate science, home to more of the world’s most influential climate researchers than any other university. Now, following a two‑year review led by world‑leading  scientists, Exeter is launching its new Climate Strategy with a bold and science‑driven shift: a commitment to prioritise real emissions reductions and move away from offsetting.  

In this panel session, academic experts, sustainability professionals and students from across the University will share the evidence, principles and decision‑making that shaped this new approach. They will discuss why the University has chosen not to rely on offsets, how the latest climate science informed the realignment of its net zero target to 2050 across all scopes, and what it means to lead with integrity at a time when many organisations are grappling with the credibility of carbon reduction pathways. 

This session is designed for anyone interested in climate leadership, organisational net zero strategies, or the intersection of science and institutional decision‑making. It will be an open, honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities of pursuing a science‑aligned pathway and the role that universities can play in modelling credible climate action.  

Session run by: 

• Professor Dan Charman, Provost, University of Exeter. 

Panellists to include: 

• Professor Martin Siegert, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Cornwall), University of Exeter 

• Joanna Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability, University of Exeter 

• Professor Peter Cox CBE, Professor of Climate System Dynamics in Mathematics and Director of the Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter 

• Sebastian Racisz, Guild President, Exeter Guild

• Facilitated by: Robin de Carteret, Systems Games 

We are living in a time of rapid change. Climate systems can tip – but so can social systems. The big question is: can we trigger positive social tipping points fast enough to create the future we want? 

In this highly participatory workshop, we’ll explore how change really happens in complex systems. Through interactive games and simple, practical tools, you’ll experience: 

• What tipping points actually are (and how they work) 

• The difference between reinforcing and balancing feedback loops 

• How enabling conditions and small actions can unlock big change 

• How to apply these ideas to real projects in our community 

This is not a lecture. It’s active, engaging and accessible – designed for anyone interested in climate, community change, or simply understanding how to make things happen. 

High Impact Weather – Preparedness and Early Warnings 

• Joanne Robbins, ANTICIPATE Cost action 

• David Harkin, Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Manager, Network Rail 

• Professor Jennifer Catto, Professor in Weather and Climate, University of Exeter 

• Suraje Dessai, Professor of Climate Change Adaptation, University of Leeds (TBC) 

• Conor Meenan, Disaster risk specialist, Centre for Disaster Protection

Workshop on Tipping Points for Protecting Tropical Forests 

We aim for these sessions to mark the first stage in an ongoing initiative that will continue across subsequent Global Tipping Points Conferences in Kuala Lumpur (Oct 2026) and Berlin/Potsdam (July 2027).  

Session run by: 

• Dr Tom Powell Research Impact Fellow in the Global Systems Institute (University of Exeter) and Dr Mike Barrett, Chief Scientific Advisor (WWF-UK) 

In the hands-on workshop, participants will work alongside experienced Wikipedia editors to improve climate-related content and strengthen the quality of publicly accessible information and help counter misinformation in real time across multiple languages.

Session run by: 

• Tatjana Baleta, Wikimedia Visiting Fellow for Climate at the Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter 

• Dr Femke Nijsse, Senior Lecturer in Innovation, Energy and Climate, University of Exeter 

Speakers to include: 

• Jennie King, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Institute for Strategic Dialogue 

• Professor Travis Coan, Professor of Computational Social Science, University of Exeter 

• Alex Stinson, Digital Knowledge Strategist, formerly at the Wikimedia Foundation 

• Session run by: Dr Lorien Jasny, Computational Social Scientist, University of Exeter 

Speakers include: 

• Dr Josh Ayers, Nature and Climate Impact Team, University of Exeter 

• Professor Tarje Nissen-Meyer, Earth Rover Program and University of Exeter 

• Professor Hywel Williams, Director of the Centre for Environmental Intelligence, University of Exeter 

• Session run by: Talwyn Whetter, Green Futures Solutions, University of Exeter (TBC) 

Panellists to include: 

• Dr Allan Hassaniyan, Senior Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter 

In this session, we discuss the how uncertainties in sea level rise prediction arise and how they can be reduced through targeted glaciological observations and modelling.  

Session run by: Professor Martin Siegert, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Cornwall), University of Exeter 

Panellists to include: 

• Dr Helen Millman, Glaciologist and Ice Sheet Modeller, University of Exeter 

• Professor Rob DeConto, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), University of Massachusetts 

• Dr Heidi Sevestre, Glaciologist at the University of St Andrews 

• Professor Ed Gasson, Royal Society University Research Fellow & Associate Professor of Glaciology and Palaeoclimatology, University of Exeter 

Dartmoor (Princetown)

Add this optional extra for £20 during ticket booking.

Join Morag Angus and her team from the South West Peatland Partnership for a guided walk at Tor Royal Bog, just outside Princetown.

On this walk, the team will explain why this 8‑hectare site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of the Dartmoor Special Area of Conservation, and share details of the peatland restoration work carried out in spring 2025. Participants will hear about efforts to block erosion channels, install peat and wooden dams, and raise and stabilise the water table within this carbon‑rich landscape. The walk offers a hands-on opportunity to learn how peatland restoration supports climate, nature, and the long-term health of Dartmoor.

Killerton House

(Broadclyst)

Add this optional extra for £20 during ticket booking.

Join Sarah O’Brien, South West External Affairs Lead, and Tim Dafforn, Restore Nature Delivery Manager for Killerton, for a guided walk through the Killerton Estate.

Led by the National Trust team, the walk will explore the estate’s nature for climate work, including woodland and wetland restoration and tree planting, along with a visit to the gardens. As you wander through peaceful woods, orchards, and Grade II–listed parkland, you’ll learn about the history of the estate and the team’s approach to land management. Along the way, expect to see and hear about Killerton’s rich wildlife – from owls, bats, butterflies, and newts to roaming Highland cattle – plus rare fungi, saproxylic beetles in decaying wood, and impressive veteran trees that support a diverse range of habitats.

Clinton Devon Estates

(East Budleigh)

Add this optional extra for £20 during ticket booking.

Join Ranger Rick Lockwood from the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust (PHCT) for a guided walk at the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, recently enhanced under the Lower Otter Restoration Project.

See the new salt marsh and mudflats, which offer nature-based solutions to help the landscape adapt to future challenges, reducing flood risk, and supporting wildlife. You’ll see first-hand how the estuary is evolving how its design contributes towards making the area more resilient to the impact of climate change and rising sea levels.