To download/view a PDF of the full Exeter Climate Conference 2025 programme, please use the link below:
The programme consisted of plenary sessions (including keynote presentations and panel discussions), poster sessions and networking.
Wednesday 2 July
12.00–13.00
Welcome lunch and registration
Location: Xfi study space
13.15–13.30
Welcome and opening address – Peter Cox, Rowan Sutton
Location: Henderson Lecture Theatre, Business School
13.30–16.30
Plenary 1: Communicating with the public, policy makers and climate
What are the major challenges and opportunities for engaging different audiences about climate change?
Speakers: Lord Deben, Lorraine Whitmarsh, Ashley Lime, Laura de Vito, Suraje Dessai, Nicola Golding
Chairs: Saffron O’Neill, Jason Lowe
Refreshment break: 14.45–15.15
Location: TBC
16.30–17.00
Closing remarks – Peter Cox, Rowan Sutton
18.00–19.00
Poster presentations
An opportunity to view the latest climate change research on display, network with fellow delegates and enjoy some refreshments
Location: The Great Hall
19.00–21.00
Evening events: BBQ with impromptu performance from Gaia Fwia
Location: Great Hall Piazza
20.00–21.00
Panel discussion: What is the role of scientists in the post-1.5°C, post-truth era?
Location: Alumni Auditorium, The Forum
Panellists: Dr Genevieve Guenther (Founding Director, End Climate Silence), Dr Abi Perrin (Climate and Nature Communicator), Dr Anna Turns (Senior Environment Editor, The Conversation)
Moderator: Dr Michelle Bieger (Data Scientist and Writer)
We’ve crossed 1.5°C: humanity is out of the safe zone. Climate scientists have been raising the alarm for over 50 years, presenting policy and decision-makers with increasingly compelling facts and figures. And yet it feels like no-one is listening. The world is increasingly ruled by populists craving our attention at all costs — including that of the truth. Societies, cultures and economies are not changing nearly as fast as they need to. It’s time for scientists to stop simply throwing knowledge at people — it’s just not working. It’s time to co-create new narratives and new policies together. How can we foster a constructive dialogue between climate scientists, academics of all disciplines, journalists, policy makers and the public? What is the role of academics in steering political debate on climate towards the real issues that people face? What is the role of scientists in the 21st century?
Thursday 3 July
9.00–9.30
Refreshments
Location: Xfi study space
9.30–9.40
Welcome address – Peter Cox
Location: Henderson Lecture Theatre, Business School
9.40–12.00
Plenary 2: The carbon cycle and future climate pathways
CO₂ is the primary driver of climate change. How we quantify the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and measure how the land and oceans respond is important for guiding policy decisions around emissions pathways.
Speakers: Pierre Friedlingstein, Luiz Aragão, Stephanie Henson, Tatiana Ilyina, Myles Allen
Chair: Stephen Sitch
12.00–13.00
Lunch and networking
Location: Xfi study space
13.00–15.00
Plenary 3: Climate extremes, impacts and adaptation
What do we know about the current and future changes in the likelihood, frequency and severity of weather and climate extremes and the impacts. Will some of the future changes extend beyond what can be adapted to?
Speakers: Jennifer Catto, Dann Mitchell, Richard Betts, Swenja Surminski, Lizzie Kendon, Doug Kelley
Chairs: Jennifer Catto, Dann Mitchell
15.00–15.30
Refreshments
Location: Xfi study space
15.30–17.30
Plenary 4: Understanding energy transitions to accelerate decarbonisation
What is the current status of the global energy transition? What are the challenges that must be overcome that will help us map a path to success?
Panel Discussion chaired by: Emily Wallace
Speakers: Nadia Ameli, Etienne Espagne, Amaro Pereira, David Brayshaw, Merryn Thomas
Chair: Femke Nijsse
17.30–17.45
Closing session – Peter Cox
18.30
Screening of GSI documentary on Heatwaves in Chile
Exeter Phoenix
Friday 4 July
9.00–10.10
Refreshments
Location: Xfi study space
10.00–10.10
Welcome – Peter Cox, Rowan Sutton
Location: Henderson Lecture Theatre, Business School
10.10–12.40
Plenary 5: Geoengineering and the concept of responsible climate intervention
What options do we have for engineering our climate through CO₂ removal or direct climate intervention? What risks and opportunities do these approaches present?
Speakers: Stephen Gardiner, Jim Haywood, Paul Halloran, Fiona O’Connor, Laura Wilcox
Chairs: Andy Wiltshire, Catriona McKinnon
12.40–13.00
Closing remarks – Peter Cox, Rowan Sutton
13.00
Closing lunch
Location: Xfi study space
15.00
Screening of Ocean with David Attenborough
(This is a free event for all registered delegates)
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