Institute for Environmental Futures
The climate emergency and global species extinction crisis call for urgent action to ensure the future habitability of our planet. The world must achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to stay below the threshold for dangerous climate change of +1.5°C. The Institute for Environmental Futures carries out transformative and transdisciplinary research into human-environment systems together with our stakeholders and partners. We co-develop policy solutions and innovations towards an environmentally sustainable future.
Institute for Environmental Futures events
Environmental Futures Seminar Series
The Institute for Environmental Futures and the Centre for European Law and Internationalisation will be co-presenting the 2024/25 seminar series on Climate Change, Energy Transition and Sustainability. Seminars can be attended online or in person, please email ief@leicester.ac.uk if you would like to attend.
The details for each seminar can be found below:
Title: The Continued Missing Link: The Critical Nature and Importance of Gender Equity in Climate Change and Sustainability
Speakers: Professor Karen Morrow, Professor of Environmental Law, Swansea University and Dr Zainab Mai-Bornu, Lecturer in International Politics, University of Leicester
Date and time: Wednesday 19 March 2025, 12.00pm
In this research talk, we highlight the often-overlooked role of gender equity in addressing climate challenges. This talk explores how empowering women and promoting gender inclusivity are essential for effective, sustainable solutions, emphasizing that true progress in climate resilience depends on integrating diverse perspectives and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Environmental Futures Café
Everyone is welcome to join our Environmental Futures Café. Please see the below table for this terms café dates, if you would like to attend any of the sessions please get in touch for the location, all cafés will take place on campus:
| Date | Time | Speaker | Topic |
| 4 February 2025 | 11.00am - 12.00pm | Professor Nibedita Ray-Bennett | Why do so many people die in disasters and what can you do to reduce them |
| 11 February 2025 | 12.00pm - 1.00pm | Professor Martin Halliwell | From mental health to environmental health |
| 25 February 2025 | 11.00am - 12.00pm | Dr Cristina Fona | Net zero transition: new research challenges and opportunities |
| 4 March 2025 | 11.00am - 12.00pm | Professor Lee Bosher | No natural disasters |
| 12 March 2025 | 2.00pm - 3.00pm |
Asad Tahir (PhD student) Chifundo Katanga (PhD student) |
Role of risk communication in the 21st century disasters Gender mainstreaming in higher education institutions of Malawi for disaster risk reduction |
| 18 March 2025 | 2.00pm - 3.00pm | Jianying Liao (PhD student) | Feeling the heat in the UK |
| 25 March 2025 | TBC | Professor Martin Phillips | Living with environmental change, loss, dying and failure |