The Climate + Co-Centre proudly hosted our 2025 Annual Symposium, uniting over 130 researchers, policymakers, funders, and industry partners to address today’s most pressing challenges.
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Hosted at Queen’s University Belfast from 17–19 September 2025, the event showcased cutting-edge research, fostered collaboration, and reaffirmed the Climate + Co-Centre’s role as a unique partnership driving innovation across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain.
Annual Symposium Opening Address from Minister Andrew Muir
The annual Symposium opened with remarks from Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, who emphasised the urgency of collective action:
“Our climate is changing, our biodiversity is under threat, and our water resources are facing unprecedented pressures. To ensure our economy grows sustainably, we need a healthy environment. We do not have a choice; we must address these interconnected challenges. Science will be front and centre in helping us deliver on our economic, social and environmental ambitions.”
Minister Muir also highlighted the strength of the Co-Centre model, which unites expertise across borders:
“Our climate and environmental challenges do not respect borders, and neither can our solutions – this is why the Co-Centre approach is so vital.”
Highlights from the Three-Day Programme
Over three days, representatives from 14 partner institutions, funders, and members of the Governance Committee came together to explore solutions at the nexus of climate, biodiversity, and water.
The programme featured:
- Research presentations on Platforms, Cross-Cutting Activities, Spoke Projects, and Education & Public Engagement initiatives.
- Interactive workshops on community engagement, funding opportunities, and innovative approaches to climate challenges.
- Breakout sessions fostering dialogue between Platform and Spoke researchers.
The symposium successfully advanced its goals of knowledge sharing, capacity building, and partnership development, with key takeaways including:
- The Co-Centre’s research ecosystem is thriving, driven by both emerging and established experts.
- Events like this are vital for building networks that accelerate real-world impact.
- Stronger links between Platform and Spoke projects unlock powerful synergies.
Voices from the Climate + Co-Centre
Professor Mark Emmerson, Co-Director of the Co-Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, reflected on the significance of the event:
“Our annual symposium shines a spotlight on how we are harnessing our collective resources to tackle challenges around sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods, the impacts of new products and processes on our planetary life support systems, and the implementation of known solutions.”
He added:
“Collaborating with researchers, industry leaders and policy partners across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain will be instrumental in exploring solutions to the most pressing common challenges of climate change, biodiversity decline and water degradation.”
A Week of Climate+ Engagement
The symposium capped a busy week for the Climate+ community. GB Lead Professor Ed Hawkins delivered a public lecture at Trinity College Dublin, while Co-Director Professor Yvonne Buckley and colleagues engaged audiences at the National Ploughing Championships, bringing Climate+ research to new and diverse groups.
Looking Ahead
Climate + is uniquely positioned to address the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and water quality decline. Jointly led by Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Reading, the Co-Centre continues to strengthen collaboration and deliver innovative solutions across these islands.