Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Local Community
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Study and life
  • Clearing 2025
  • Research
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International students
  • Clearing 2025
    • How to apply
    • International applicants
    • Accommodation
    • Register your interest
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Our global community
    • Business
    • Local community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
  • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Local Community
  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • View courses

Expert comment: 1.5c global warming limit prediction

17 May 2023

Expert comment from the University of Reading

Leading climate policy experts from the University of Reading have commented on new research that suggests a key global temperature limit will be surpassed in the coming years. 


The World Meteorological Organisation today (17 May) revealed there is a 66% chance the world will surpass the 1.5c global warming limit between now and 2027. 


Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, leaders from all over the world agreed to find ways to keep global warming below this threshold. 


Professor Chris Hilson, Director of the University of Reading’s Centre for Climate and Justice, has called on today’s policymakers to ‘double down’ on efforts to ensure both emission reduction and climate adaptation measures are pursued in the years to come. 


He said: “News of the likely breach of the 1.5c limit needs to be carefully handled because it’s a depressing piece of news. Some will take this to mean it is too late to do anything to prevent significant warming and will instead look to abandon efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, preferring to focus on adaptation instead. 


“But that would take us hurtling towards the 2.0c limit, a breach of which would be an even greater calamity. The point is that every fractional degree of warming we can prevent through mitigation policy measures is worth doing. So keeping within 1.6c matters - it’s not like a situation where the dyke has been breached and we should all now simply give up.


“We need to double-down on mitigation and plan for adaptation – they are not mutually exclusive. But policymakers should still be laser-focused on mitigation. In the run-up to COP28 in Dubai at the end of 2023, we really need to call time on the exploration of new oil and gas fields and new coal mines. 


“Existing coal-fired power plants must be quickly phased out, with clear deadlines. Gas-fired power stations should only be used as backup for when renewables have ‘intermittency’ issues when the wind or sun are insufficient on particular days. 


“Energy supply is only one half of the mitigation picture as we also need to reduce demand. That means homes and business premises need to become much more energy efficient and better insulated. Governments worldwide have been far too slow in tackling rising energy demand effectively.”


Dr Jorge Guira, of the University of Reading’s School of Law, said: “There's no magic silver bullet to address the strong possibility of a 1.5c average temperature rise by 2027. What has taken generations to build up cannot be realistically eliminated in the next four years. The Paris Agreement and the COP process have achieved much in developing legal avenues for climate action, but with leaders having varying degrees of will to act and there being a lack of incentives to transform energy means global collaboration efforts remain fragmented. 


“If you look at the top ten emitters of carbon, some nations like the US are making strides in reducing pollution through direct financial support as well as indirectly, with rules like EPA emissions controls. But other states, such as China and India, will take longer to land carbon-cutting policies - but they are getting there. In other positive developments, there is growing financing for new cleantech innovation, and new rules are beginning to take shape to facilitate or compel banks and major companies to disclose how their activities have an impact on the environment.”


Loading additional items please wait....

Main Menu


News from 2025

Contact the press team

Expert spokespeople

Media, demonstrations, and petitions on campus

Connecting Research Blog

Events

Media Enquiries


Journalists can contact the press office at any time.

+44 (0)118 378 5757 (24 hours)

pressoffice@reading.ac.uk

News Archives


News from 2025

News from 2024

News from 2023

News from 2022

News from 2021

News archive 1998-2020

mask
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2025/26
2026/27
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Dietetics
  • Digital Business
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.

  • Charitable Status
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading