Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial

Thinking about postgraduate study at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social? Hear from Dr Tilly Collins, Dr Morena Mills, MSc student Ben and PhD student Eirini about their experiences at the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) and what makes our community unique.

A huge congratulations to CEP PhD researcher Elsy Milan on her appointment as a Commissioner on the new South-North Commission on Development! 👏 Elsy will bring her expertise in environmental policy and climate diplomacy to global discussions on international cooperation and sustainable development

The 2026 UNEP Emissions Gap Report is out: The Point of Return. 🌍🌡️🔥 It's sobering but actionable. Decades of inadequate climate action have closed off opportunities to limit warming, but ambitious action today can still prevent much greater harm. A thread of some of the highlights 🧵

Why are billions being spent compensating wind farms for electricity that can’t reach consumers? Dr @iain-staffell.bsky.social explains how delays to grid upgrades have left Scotland’s renewable energy bottlenecked at substations like Harker. #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy

More than 450,000 additional heat deaths could occur globally by February as a super El Niño drives extreme temperatures. Professor @frediotto.bsky.social warns that El Niño is unfolding on an increasingly hotter, human-influenced climate baseline.

New research, co-authored by researchers from the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP), finds that increasing drought and rainfall variability could deepen inequality among pastoralists in southern Africa. Forecasts can help, but only when farmers have the resources to act.

Air pollution can make exercising in cities more complicated, but research suggests the health benefits of exercise generally outweigh the risks. Dr Audrey de Nazelle explains how to reduce exposure, from choosing quieter routes to avoiding rush hour. 👇

New @wwattribution.bsky.social analysis finds human-caused climate change worsened conditions behind the devastating August Nepal floods and rock-ice avalanche, through permafrost thaw, glacier loss and increased meltwater Prof Fredi Otto: “There is absolutely no doubt” climate change played a role

🌍 Global temperatures are likely to cross the 1.5°C threshold within years, according to a landmark @unep.org report co-authored by Professor @joerirogelj.bsky.social. The report calls for urgent action to minimise the scale and duration of 1.5°C overshoot.

How can we transition to electric vehicles while protecting biodiversity? 🌱 Join Shyam Sharma for the next John Mumford Research to Impact Seminar, exploring the environmental impacts of mining critical minerals for EV batteries. 📅 8 Oct | 17.00 📍 G34, SAF Building

Europe is facing a record-breaking drought, disrupting energy, transport and food supplies. 🌍💧 🎙️ Dr @iain-staffell.bsky.social joins Graihagh Jackson to explore how we can adapt our energy infrastructure to a hotter, drier future.

🥥 New research finds a strong genetic basis for drought tolerance in coconut palms, paving the way for more climate-resilient varieties. The study involved the Centre for Environmental Policy, with Dr Tilly Collins (@polytilly.bsky.social) among the co-authors.

New analysis by Imperial's Luke Hatton finds the climate damage from developing the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields could reach £119bn-£336bn, many times the estimated £28.7bn economic benefit to the UK. The findings highlight the huge economic costs of continued fossil fuel development.

Earth is hot. Really hot. 🌍🔥 New geothermal technologies could unlock this vast source of low-carbon, reliable energy far beyond traditional hotspots like Iceland. As Dr @iain-staffell.bsky.social explains, geothermal could help provide the “glue” that makes low-carbon electricity systems work.

How credible are the assumptions behind a new report on ‘cheap power’? Carbon Brief examines 10 flaws in the analysis, with CEP’s Dr @iain-staffell.bsky.social describing its modelling as having “more holes than a Swiss cheese”. Read the full factcheck 👇

What makes a 15-minute neighbourhood truly sustainable? 🏙️ New research from CEP explores how affordability and equity can be considered alongside access to everyday essentials when designing healthier, more sustainable cities. The paper builds on research by former CEP MSc student Emma Kurihara.

New research from @wwattribution.bsky.social finds that record-high Mediterranean sea temperatures this summer, driven largely by human-caused warming, could fuel more intense storms in Europe later in 2026. The Mediterranean is warming twice as fast as the global ocean average. 🌊🌡️

🐾 Did you catch last night's @channel4news.bsky.social report on flea and tick treatments? Researchers from Imperial's PREPP group featured in a report on new recommendations for risk-based flea and tick treatments to help protect both pets and the environment. 📺 Watch from 48:00 👇

Parliamentary committee calls for risk-based use of flea & tick medications following Imperial evidence Imperial experts raised the alarm about the overuse and environmental impact of year-round, preventative flea treatments 🧵 Dr Tilly Collins, Imperial College London, explains.

Climate change made the extreme heat and drought driving Spain and France’s devastating wildfires far more likely, new @wwattribution.bsky.social analysis finds. As Dr Clair Barnes warns: “Climate change increases hot, dry, flammable conditions that are extremely conducive to wildfires.”

As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, they're putting growing pressure on the technology we rely on every day. ⚡🌡️ Dr @iain-staffell.bsky.social explains how extreme heat affects power stations, solar panels and electricity networks, and why we need to adapt.

How can AI and digital technologies strengthen resilience to climate extremes? 🌍 In a new @imperialsci.bsky.social blog, CEP PhD researcher @martakoch.bsky.social reflects on leading two 2026 UN events and introduces a new framework for digital climate readiness.

Europe's drought is being driven by more than just low rainfall. New @wwattribution.bsky.social research shows a hotter atmosphere is pulling more moisture from the land, making droughts more severe and increasing wildfire risk. #ClimateChange

As temperatures rise, so does the debate around air conditioning. 🌡️ CEP's Professor Rob Gross joined BBC Radio 4's AntiSocial programme to provide the evidence behind the discussion, helping separate fact from fiction on one of today's most contested climate topics. #Climate #Energy

New @wwattribution.bsky.social analysis shows climate change made the devastating West Africa floods significantly more likely and more intense. As Professor @frediotto.bsky.social warns: "Until emissions stop these extremes will only grow worse."

Two record-breaking UK heatwaves before July, and there could be more to come. 🌡️ Dr Theodore Keeping says the link between #ClimateChange and worsening heatwaves is "settled". Without cutting emissions, these extremes will only become more common.

Around 2,700 people are believed to have died due to UK heatwaves, according to experts. Dr @clairbarnes.bsky.social warns that unless we slow global warming, heat-related deaths could surpass winter deaths in the future. #ClimateChange #Heatwaves #PublicHealth

The drying of France’s Loire River and intensifying European heatwaves are stark reminders of a warming world. As Professor @joerirogelj.bsky.social explains: “On a hotter planet, there will be more heatwaves, and they will become more intense.”

Future-proofing Paris Agreement requires focus on median warming In a new paper, Prof @joerirogelj.bsky.social & Dr @robinlamboll.bsky.social warn that global warming closer to 2°C is at risk if countries don't use median temperature targets to guide reductions in emissions 🧵 buff.ly/pbNssJf

Congratulations to Chenxuan Ji on winning the 2026 @imperialsci.bsky.social Research Image Competition People's Choice Award! 👏📸 Proud to see three Centre for Environmental Policy images shortlisted, showcasing research on nature, the circular economy and ecosystem restoration. 🌍💚

Could a battery in your cupboard become as common as solar panels on your roof? 🔋 Dr @iain-staffell.bsky.social explains why low-cost plug-in home batteries could make clean energy cheaper, more flexible and accessible to millions. #EnergyStorage #RenewableEnergy #NetZero #CleanEnergy

Congratulations to Sam Vandezande, one of last year’s MSc Environmental Technology students, on publishing his thesis-based paper in Energy Policy 🎉 The research explores how better-aligned incentives could help unlock faster, fairer electricity grid development for Net Zero.

Record-breaking June heat across Europe would have been “virtually impossible” decades ago, according to @wwattribution.bsky.social, which says climate change is “unequivocally to blame.” The study calls it the region’s most severe heatwave on record, with widespread, dangerous extremes.

"The UK has been built for a climate that just doesn't exist." Professor @frediotto.bsky.social warns that climate change is making extreme heat the new reality, as the UK braces for record June temperatures, travel disruption and school closures. 🌡️🌍 #ClimateChange #Heatwave

Climate change is driving species closer to extinction. New research co-authored by Professor @frediotto.bsky.social shows climate-fuelled landslides in Sumatra likely killed around 58 critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans. #ClimateChange #Conservation #Biodiversity

How can we better communicate the risks of poor air quality to vulnerable groups? 💨 New research, co-authored by Dr Audrey de Nazelle, shows that clear, tailored advice from trusted sources can help people better protect their health. #AirPollution #PublicHealth

As the 2026 World Cup begins, extreme heat is becoming a serious player too. Dr Joyce Kimutai warns cities like Miami, Kansas City and Philadelphia could face dangerously hot conditions for players and fans. A quarter of matches may carry heat-stress risk. #WorldCup #ClimateChange

First in the UK, second in the world! We’ve retained our QS World University Ranking for the third year in a row! 🎉 This success is thanks to every single member of Imperial’s community, as we work together to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Congratulations to Dr Caroline Howe ( @carolinehowe.bsky.social) on being named in the #ENDSPowerList2026 👏 Recognised for her impact on environmental research, policy and leadership, from biodiversity and climate to health and global governance. A well-deserved honour.

Professor @joerirogelj.bsky.social and Dr @robinlamboll.bsky.social have contributed to the latest Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC) assessment, showing human-induced warming reached 1.37°C in 2025. At current emissions trends, 1.5°C could be exceeded within around four years.

7 Ways You Can Reduce Your Pet’s Eco Pawprint Our pets help us feel connected to animals and nature. However, sometimes our pets can have unintended impacts on the world around us – from what we feed them to the products we use. Here are seven simple ways you can reduce your pet’s eco pawprint 🧵

On #WorldEnvironmentDay, I’m honoured to be named in the ENDS Power List 2026. My work focuses on understanding people–nature relationships to build healthier, more equitable & sustainable futures. Grateful to colleagues who make this work possible @britishecologicalsociety.org @ic-cep.bsky.social

New wwattribution.bsky.social analysis warns extreme heat could affect the #WorldCup2026. Imperial’s Dr Chris Mullington says players may “self-pace” in the heat, leading to “more boring” football. Professor Fredi Otto adds Fifa should think “very carefully” about future tournament timing.

Experts say high humidity, heat-trapping buildings, limited AC, and climate change make British heat feel far more intense than the thermometer suggests. As Dr Ben Clarke warns: climate change is making heatwaves “much hotter and more dangerous”.

A new climate scenario update has sparked debate after researchers dropped the high-emissions pathway RCP8.5 as “implausible”. Professor joerirogelj.bsky.social notes it was never intended as “business-as-usual”, reigniting questions about how extreme warming risks are communicated.

⚠️ Weather stations in London today recorded highs of 35.1°C, a new May record for the UK. Such extreme heat represents a serious threat to health. Modelling by @gkonstantinoudis.bsky.social estimates that we could see 250+ additional deaths during this heatwave in England and Wales. 🧵[1/6]

In a powerful Guardian piece, the death of cyclist Andreas Mandalka underscores Europe’s car dependence and road safety crisis. As Dr Audrey de Nazelle notes, governance often tackles transport, health, and climate in silos rather than embracing co-benefits.

How do we turn evidence into real-world action for nature recovery? A new briefing from the UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology features research by Dr Alec Christie, highlighting the need for evidence that’s usable, relevant, and applied in practice. 📖 Read more below