About the Scenarios Forum 2025

View of the University of Leeds from a distance. Glass-fronted Nexus building in full view and UoL signage, with the Parkinson tower and church spires in the background.

The Forum on Scenarios for Climate and Societal Futures (Scenarios Forum 2025) is an influential multi-disciplinary conference organised by the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and the University of Leeds, building on the successes of previous forums in Denver (2019) and IIASA (2022).

Light coming through grey clouds

The purpose of the Scenarios Forum

Climate scenarios illustrate hypothetical climate futures dependent on the different amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released into the atmosphere and investigate effectiveness and risks of mitigation (reducing the flow of GHGs) and adaptation (anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking action to reduce these) responses.

The forum gathers experts from around the world to share knowledge, foster collaborations, and reflect on the use of climate scenarios, with a focus on identifying future research needs. 

Dedicated to advancing the use of socioeconomic scenarios in addressing some of the most complex and interconnected challenges of our time, this year’s forum is particularly timely as we navigate an era defined by rapid environmental shifts, social upheavals, and global uncertainties.

This year, we are expanding our horizons to explore the transformative potential of scenarios that address health, inform policy, and open up new possibilities for the future. The need for robust, integrative scenarios has never been greater, and the Scenarios Forum 2025 aims to be at the forefront of these critical discussions.

The Priestley Centre

The Priestley Centre for Climate Futures is a world-leading climate centre, based at the University of Leeds, UK.

The University of Leeds

The University is located in Yorkshire, a northern English county full of rich heritage and green spaces.

A Sustainable Conference

There will be a focus this year on making the conference as sustainable as possible, this includes consideration regarding residences, catering and more.

Scientific Advisory Committee

Bas van Ruijven

Bas van Ruijven

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria

Chris Smith

Chris Smith

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

Jan S. Fuglestvedt

Jan S. Fuglestvedt

Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research (CIRCERO), Norway

Julia Steinberger

Julia Steinberger

University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Kristie Ebi _ University of Washington - Department of Global Health

Kristie Ebi

University of Washington, USA

Narasimha Rao

Narasimha Rao

Yale University, USA

Dr Sondoss El Sawah

Sondoss El Sawah

University of New South Wales, Australia

Kasper Kok

Kasper Kok

Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
Brian O’Neill

Brian O’Neill

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA

Organisational Committee

Bas van Ruijven

Eric Kemp-Benedict

University of Leeds

Chris Smith

Shona Smith

University of Leeds

Jan S. Fuglestvedt

Prahelika Deka

University of Leeds

Julia Steinberger

Catriona Flesher

University of Leeds

Narasimha Rao

Lucy Howell

University of Leeds

Dr Sondoss El Sawah

Ahlam Abumughli

University of Leeds

Partners and Sponsors

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