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Kavli Medal and Lecture
Hughes Medal
Global Environmental Research Committee
All related reports and statements
Energy, environment and climate
Overview
It is a critical time for the state of the planet and human wellbeing. Find out more about the Society’s work exploring changes and how they might affect us in the future.
Read moreReports and publications
Read or download all our reports, publications and consultation responses.
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Climate change: science and solutions
Briefings on 12 science and technology areas key for accelerating progress towards ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions and increased resilience to climate change.
Climate change in a critical decade
We’ve published a summary of three reports released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the implications for the UK. Read the summary now.
Reversing biodiversity loss
Find answers to key questions about biodiversity, along with a video from Sir David Attenborough to explain the importance of biodiversity.
Our analysis and advice
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- Net-zero carbon infographic
- Future ocean resources
- Climate change Q&A
- Greenhouse gas removal
- Resilience to extreme weather
- GM plants
- Joint action on disasters, development and climate change
- Observing the earth
- Models of human and natural systems
- Growth on a finite planet
- Shale gas extraction
- Solar geoengineering
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Net-zero carbon infographic
Our interactive infographic about greenhouse gas removal lets you explore the different current and potential technologies we can use to help the UK reach net-zero by 2050.
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Future ocean resources
The Royal Society’s ‘Future of oceans’ project considers how we might use the mineral and genetic wealth of the oceans, as well as the drivers and wider consequences of doing so.
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Climate change Q&A
This is a short summary of a detailed discussion of climate change science. It is now more certain than ever, based on many lines of evidence, that humans are changing Earth’s climate.
Explore the short guide -
Greenhouse gas removal
Our joint project with the Royal Academy of Engineering considers the role that removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere can have in tackling climate change.
Download the report -
Resilience to extreme weather
‘Resilience to extreme weather’ investigates key questions to help inform important decisions about adaptation and risk reduction that are being made at global, national and local levels.
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GM plants: questions and answers
Explore information about genetically modified (GM) plants, with answers to 18 questions by expert independent scientists and an animation on the basic science of GM.
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Joint action on disasters, development and climate change
Building on the Royal Society’s 2014 ‘Resilience to extreme weather’ report, this statement outlines the need to make international policy frameworks on disasters, development and climate change consistent and underpinned by science.
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Observing the earth
Observing the Earth - Expert views on environmental observation for the UK.
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Modeling Earth's Future
A report produced with the National Academy of Sciences on integrated assessments of linked human-natural systems.
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People and the Planet
This project was a major study investigating the links between global population and consumption, and the implications for a finite planet.
Read more about the project -
Shale gas extraction
A review conducted with the Royal Academy of Engineering of the scientific and engineering evidence of the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing as a means to extract shale gas.
Read the full report -
Solar radiation management: the governance of research
A report by the Solar Radiation Management Governance Initiative (SRMGI) that reviews the different perspectives and governance possibilities related to Solar Radiation Management.
Download the report
Also of interest
Browse all reports and statements relating to Energy, environment and climate.
Browse related reportsFellows working in this area
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Professor Eric Wolff FRS
Elected 2010
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Professor Eric Wolff FRS
- Fellow
- Elected:2010
- Honorary Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East AngliaHonorary Fellow, British Antarctic SurveyRoyal Society Research Professor, Department of Earth Sciences (Downing Street), University of Cambridge
Professor Eric Wolff
Professor Eric Wolff is a Royal Society Research Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge.
He uses the chemical composition of ice cores to reveal the nature of Earth’s past climates and led the science group of the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica, which produced detailed climate records spanning back 800,000 years.
Read more