UCL Generation One: The Climate Podcast

In this episode, we are unpacking how effective COP30 really was, did the promises match the expectations and  where did world leaders deliver or fall short . COP 30 was held in Belém, the gateway to the Amazon. From extreme heat and climate-driven floods and fires to the political symbolism of choosing the Amazon over Rio, the setting shaped everything.  The expectations were high this year. Braz...

This episode brings you the highlights from a special event from UCL marking 10 years since the Paris Agreement.  Hear how it continues to influence policy, markets, and public debate — and what lies ahead as the world confronts climate change in an era of geopolitical turbulence.   Host Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Earth System Science) joins forces with Professor Lisa Vanhala (UCL Political Scienc...

In this episode of Generation One, we’re exploring the importance of start-ups and the role of entrepreneurs in stepping up with ground breaking solutions to solve the climate crisis and what policy makers and organisations like UCL are doing to enable this. Our hosts Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee are joined by three inspiring guests who share their experiences and insights on how en...

In this episode, we explore a subject that’s deeply important to us as educators: the role of climate in the classroom. How are schools and universities placing climate change at the heart of learning—not just in science lessons, but across the whole school experience? We look beyond the curriculum to discover how educators are fostering sustainable living and embedding green practices into everyd...

As the importance of climate justice grows, UCL Generation One asks the questions: can we address the past for a fairer future? And are historic injustices to blame for today’s climate inequalities?  In this episode, Mark and Simon discuss the landmark ruling from the International Court of Justice, which declares nations are legally obligated to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissio...

As summer kicks-off, UCL Generation One dives into the intersection of sport and sustainability – exploring how sport contributes to climate change, and how the climate crisis is already affecting how and where we play. Mark and Simon are joined by Sofie Junge Pedersen, professional footballer and climate campaigner (Inter Milan, Denmark national team) and Dan Hall (Sustainability Engagement Offic...

It’s crunch time for the oceans and shipping sector, and tensions are high. Dr Simon Chin-Yee brings you this special episode of #UCLGenerationOne in the midst of critical negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).    Simon speaks to colleagues who have travelled across the oceans to the IMO: the UN agency responsible for regulating the shipping sector. In April 2025, countries...

In the months of both Ramadan and Lent, Generation One joins in with reflections on the relationship between food, community, and health with our fifth episode of Season 5. Hosts Mark and Simon explore not only the impacts of climate change on global food availability, but societal behaviour around food and decision-making. Examining the intersecting issues of food security and consumer culture, t...

What is the Climate and Nature Bill, and why does it matter? The Zero Hour campaign is here to tell us, as we dive into their efforts to secure widespread backing for the Climate and Nature Bill. The Bill, which had its Second Reading in Parliament on 24 January 2025, aims to strengthen the UK government’s commitments to cut emissions, restore nature, and ensure public consultation on the road to...

In this special episode hosts Mark Maslin and Simon Chin Yee give us behind the scenes insights and their verdicts on the outcome of COP29.   This COP was mainly about the money and went into extra time, but our hosts unpack it and take a deep dive into the key results with the help of special guests in the studio Priti Parikh, Professor of Infrastructure Engineering and International Development,...

What do vultures in India and beavers in West London have to do with protecting our ecosystems? What’s the link between biodiversity loss and human-driven climate change? Why does Simon love beavers so much? And what exactly is “COP16”? This episode explores some of the key issues at play – focusing on global ecosystems and local conservation efforts, and coincides with the Sixteenth Convention on...

This is Generation One, the climate podcast from University College London – turning climate science and ideas into action. Hosted by Dr Simon Chin-Yee from the School of Public Policy, and Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth Systems Science at UCL. We’re going to be tackling climate action in all its forms, from innovative business and tech solutions, to inspiring stories from the frontlines of colle...

Welcome to Series 5! In this first episode, following the recent Labour party conference, our hosts Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee discuss the UK government’s plan to create ‘Great British energy’. The (not so?) ambitious programme aims to make Britain a clean energy superpower to bolster energy security and achieve its net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. But how impactful actua...

In this special episode, we look back at the year through some of our favourite moments from Series 4. Our hosts Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee explored climate action in a multitude of forms: from groundbreaking climate science and AI, to innovative policy solutions and inspiring stories of individual activism. With fantastic guests spanning multiple disciplines and industries. Reflect with us on...

In the final episode of this series of Generation One, we take a look at cities and climate action. With many elections happening around the world, what are cities actually doing to adapt to climate change, mitigate climate impact on populations, and reduce emissions?   Our hosts discuss urban adaptation and transformation with UCL Professor Lauren Andres (Director of Research at the Bartlett Scho...

Happy Earth Day! This episode’s focus is on entrepreneurial climate action: what are businesses – particularly the AI sector – doing to combat the climate crisis and help reach net zero? Helping our hosts Mark and Simon answer these questions are Sims Witherspoon (current UCL student studying for MSC in climate change and Climate and Sustainability Lead at Google DeepMind), Buffy Price (COO and Co...

What are individuals doing to fight climate change and how important is the role of local activism? This episode will be focusing on individual climate action, with our guests chatting to our hosts about the role of activism in initiating change. Featuring Louise Harris (songwriter and Just Stop Oil activist), Versha Jones, (Climate Reality Project - Volunteer National Coordinator, UK) Annabel Ric...

In this episode, we’re moving beyond the UK to explore global climate policy in the wake of COP28. Hosts Mark and Simon are joined by Pierre Cannet, the Global Head of Public Affairs and Policy at Client Earth, to discuss how the law can be used to create change. More about Client Earth: www.clientearth.org/ For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-cli...

Introducing episode 3 of season four! Our hosts Mark and Simon continue this series with a discussion on the fallout from COP28 for the UK, and what needs to be done on a national, governmental and local level.  Joining them are our guests Ian Townsend (ONS Divisional Director of Environment), Robbie Macpherson, (APPG lead at Uplift), Annabel Rice (Political Advisor at Green Alliance) and Deputy M...

COP28 in Dubai is over and Mark and Simon are back in the studio to debrief. What on earth happened and is it good enough? They discuss the loss and damage fund, the challenges with the COP process and ultimately whether the outcome is enough. Joining them live from COP are Dr Guy Jackson (University of Northumbria), Nada Berrada (Education Development Centre), Mary McHarg (UCL Union Affairs Offic...

Welcome back to UCL’s Generation One podcast! To kick us off co-hosts Prof Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee are chatting about COP28, set to be held in the United Arab Emirates. In this episode Mark and Simon are looking back at what went wrong at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, and what needs to happen at COP28 to keep us track to combat the climate crisis.   For more information and to access the tra...

Join host Helen Czerski as she discusses what happened at the COP27 conference, and whether the negotiations went far enough. Helen is joined by Dr Nadia Ameli and Katie Kedward to discuss the financial implications of COP27, international financial institutions, and also the focus on loss and damage at COP27. We also hear from Zi Han Xuan, UCL Student and climate activist with YOUNGO, the youth c...

Welcome back to UCL Generation One: The Climate Podcast. We’re back for a two-part series, and part one is coming to you live from COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik. Join Professor Mark Maslin as he takes us through the conference centre, and chats to multiple delegates and activists along the journey.  Views expressed by our guests are their own. For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.a...

It is the final episode of season two! Hosts Mark and Helen are wrapping up this season with a conversation on disaster, mitigation and climate change. Dr Ilan Kelman and Prof Lisa Vanhala are sitting down with Mark to discuss defining natural disasters and what can be done to mitigate climate change. For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-...

This week we're tackling the question: how do we make London as bike friendly as Amsterdam? Host Helen Czerski is joined by Richard Jackson, Director of Sustainability at UCL and Will Norman, Walking and Cycling Commissioner for London and TFL.  They are discussing cycling in London, plans for making it even safer, and the impact of electric scooters on our streets.  For more information and to ac...