Net Zero and beyond: measuring climate risks, managing trade‑offs, and enabling adaptation

Join us to discover the advancements in science made through our National Capability for Global Challenges programme.

Net Zero and beyond: measuring climate risks, managing trade‑offs, and enabling adaptation

Our upcoming online conference brings together cutting‑edge research, global collaborations, and real‑world applications that are shaping the future of climate science. Participants will gain insight into breakthrough methods, new data resources, and innovative tools supporting climate resilience, adaptation and sustainable development worldwide.

What we will be covering:

• How science is redefining what’s possible for global emissions reduction
• Understanding the real‑world complexities behind climate action
• Building the knowledge and tools needed for a climate‑resilient world

Why you should attend:

• Hear directly from leading scientists driving global climate research
• Discover new tools, datasets, and modelling approaches
• Learn from international case studies and cross‑sector collaborations
• Connect with a global community working at the forefront of climate resilience

Overview agenda

9:00 Welcome

9:15 Session 1 – Quantifying NetZero

Gain fresh insight into the science driving global Net Zero pathways. Land‑surface modeller Emma Robinson explores how plants respond to climate change at a global scale, environmental physicist Nicholas Cowan presents new evidence on land‑management options for Net Zero in Southeast Asia, and senior scientist Stephen Cavers examines how genetic diversity can strengthen tree‑planting strategies for long‑term climate resilience.

10:15 Comfort break

10:25 Session 2 – NetZero and Tradeoffs

Learn how science is navigating the complex trade‑offs on the path to Net Zero. Air‑quality and pollution modellers Tomas Liska and Janice Scheffler share insights from our collaboration with METMalaysia and the World Health Organization, highlighting advances in understanding climate–health interactions. Aquatic‑ecosystems lead Linda May and land–water systems scientist Chris Feeney showcase new tools and data from our work around Lake Victoria, including the latest portal and mobile applications supporting local decision‑making. Scenario scientist HyeJin Kim introduces the Korean Nature Futures Project, a pioneering effort to identify synergistic pathways that align biodiversity, climate, and human well‑being goals across the Korean peninsula.

11:25 Comfort break

11:30 Session 3 – Supporting Adaptation

Discover how cutting‑edge science is strengthening global resilience to climate impacts. Lucy Barker and Steve Turner share the latest advances in building global capacity for assessing water status and outlooks, followed by new developments in global climate‑detection data that underpin adaptation planning worldwide. Hydrometeorological modeller Seonaid Anderson then presents breakthroughs in nowcasting science and the real‑time portal for Africa, showcasing how rapid forecasting is transforming decision‑making on the ground.

12:40 Closing remarks

There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each session. 

For more information, please contact the NC for Global Challenges Programme Management Office at nc-international@ceh.ac.uk, or visit our website: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/national-capability-global-challenges.