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We have a special guest blog this month from Julie Maclean . Julie is a Climate Science Advisor at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero within the Climate Science team’s international strand. The team is responsible for UK engagement with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and science input into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Julie outlines the launch of the cross-Government resource The Climate Science Narrative , the urgent need for action, and the practical solutions available to protect our future. Extreme weather events, like heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall, are becoming more frequent and intense. Every fraction of a degree counts in tackling Climate Change. The science is clear: human activity has already warmed the planet by around 1.4°C   since the early industrial age [1] . Whilst staying below the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement looks increasingly unlikely, 1.5°C remains the right limit. Taking ambitious and accelerated action is still essential to keeping global warming as low as possible. Every fraction of a degree we can prevent makes a significant difference, as it reduces the severity of climate impacts and lowers the risks of major, irreversible changes to our planet.  As we accelerate efforts to make the UK a clean energy superpower and deliver net zero emissions, it is essential that climate action across government is supported by the best available science. That’s why the DESNZ Climate Science Team is proud to launch   the latest edition of The Climate Science Narrative; an easy-to-understand, cross-government resource designed to support evidence-based policy.  Civil Servants can download the narrative below (please do not share externally) What makes the Narrative essential reading?    Now in its 3 rd  edition, the Narrative summarises the latest global climate evidence - from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), peer-reviewed literature and other authoritative sources – in a single, accessible document.   Reviewed extensively by experts across government and leading research bodies, and endorsed by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS and Professor Emily Shuckburgh CBE FRMetS, HonFEI, FRGS   our Chief Scientific Adviser, the Narrative provides a robust, referenced resource for the climate questions that matter most to your work.   The evidence: Sobering realities, tangible solutions   We’re already living with the impacts of climate change. Sea levels are rising, and extreme weather events, like heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall, are becoming more frequent and intense. Some impacts are now irreversible for centuries to millennia. But deep, rapid, and sustained emissions cuts can still limit the magnitude of future changes.  Significant progress has been made since the Paris Agreement. Global warming projections have dropped from almost 4°C to just below 3°C based on current policies, and if global pledges are fully delivered, limiting warming to 1.9°C could be a possibility. However, the gap between long-term goals and short-term action remains stark, with global carbon dioxide emissions reaching a new record in 2024.  Solutions exist now. As the Narrative demonstrates, we have a multitude of feasible and effective options available to reduce emissions whilst delivering co-benefits for health, biodiversity, and economic prosperity. From renewable energy to nature-based solutions, from electrification to demand reduction – the tools are ready.  Why urgency matters   The window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future is closing rapidly. While the costs of climate action are significant, they are far lower than the costs of inaction. Early, ambitious action also drives innovation and promotes new low-carbon industries as the foundation of future economic growth.   At the same time, we must urgently scale up adaptation efforts. Protecting people and nature from climate impacts is essential now and under all warming scenarios.   How can you use the Narrative?   The Climate Science Narrative is designed for policymakers responsible for developing and delivering climate policies, and for colleagues engaging with them. Statements are clearly referenced, ensuring there is a scientific basis for all claims made.   For further information or support, contact the Science and Innovation for Climate and Energy Directorate briefing hub .  Contribute to the CSCEN Blog If you're interested in contributing to the CSCEN Blog, get in touch with us at environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk . We'd love to hear your ideas! References [1] World to hit 1.4C of warming in record hot 2023  | Reuters

Following on from the success of Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Professional Recognition Week (8th-12th Dec.), which spotlighted the value of professional recognition in the GSE Profession;  Finn Shillitto dives into why getting professionally recognised can be your game-changer in the environmental sector. Ready to unlock your true potential? Read on!  Advance your career with support from professional bodies. What is a professional body?    Professional bodies are organisations made up of members who work within a specific field or industry. They play a key role in setting professional standards, offering accredited training and qualifications, and providing valuable support, resources, and networking opportunities to help members grow and thrive in their careers.  Some examples of professional bodies in the environment sector are:  ISEP  - The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals, formally IEMA – Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment  Upcoming Event: CSCEN Careers Talk with ISEP - Inside ISEP: Building Skills for a Sustainable Future | CSCEN.   CIWEM  - The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management  SocEn - The Society for the Environment  IES – Institute of Environmental Sciences  CIEEM - Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management    The opportunities they can bring:   They all offer a wide range of fantastic opportunities to support both personal and professional development. Below are some key opportunities they offer:    Professional Recognition & Credentials   Gain industry-recognised qualifications (e.g. Practitioner Membership, Chartered Environmentalist).  Access to Training & Continued Professional Development (CPD)   Wide range of courses, webinars, and workshops to stay up-to-date on environmental legislation, climate science, ESG etc.  Career Advancement   Progression opportunities through access to exclusive job adverts.   Networking & Community   Connect with like-minded professionals through events, forums, and regional groups.  Influence & Advocacy   Contribute to shaping environmental policy, industry standards, and best practice by participating in working groups or consultations.  Resources & Insights   Access to research, publications, policy updates, toolkits, and case studies. Stay ahead of trends and challenges in the environmental sector.  Support for Ethical Practice   A framework of standards to support integrity and accountability in your work.  Sense of Purpose & Belonging   Be part of a movement working to make a positive impact on the planet.  Which one is best for you?   There are a few key things to consider when deciding on the most suitable professional body for you, as they can be costly! (Although there are opportunities for costs to be covered by the Civil Service, see your individual Departments policy on this). Key considerations:   The stage of your career:  Early career? Look for organisations that offer entry-level memberships, student support, and career guidance (e.g. ISEP Associate or Student Membership).  Mid-career or experienced? Consider bodies that offer professional recognition or chartered status to boost your credibility (e.g. Chartered Environmentalist via SocEnv or CIWEM).  Your specialism:  ISEP– Broad focus on sustainability, ESG, and environmental management.  CIWEM – Strong focus on water and environmental engineering.  SocEnv – Umbrella body offering Chartered Environmentalist status across various disciplines.  Explore the professional development pathways:  Each body will have different opportunities here.  Review the costs and the benefits  They can be expensive! So please consider all the above as well as costs; this will ensure your money (or your Department if support is offered) is spent effectively.  What does the Civil Service offer?    The level of support available for subscription to professional bodies in the environmental space will vary between departments, please consult the relevant Professions Hub.  Looking to develop your Science and Engineering skills?   ...Then the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession has a great opportunity for you!   GSEs professional recognition week  ran W/C 8 th  December [More information here ] and   is offering a range of learning and development opportunities to build the science and engineering skills needed to deliver priorities.  Aswell as L&D opportunities, GSE are offering funding for a limited number of individual memberships and charterships to professional bodies for those in the GSE profession such as the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and Institute of Physics (IOP).  Please see GSE Professional Recognition Offer – Government Science and Engineering  for more information.    Contribute to the CSCEN Blog If you're interested in contributing to the CSCEN Blog, get in touch with us at environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk . We'd love to hear your ideas!

For December's theme of Nature and Climate: trade-offs and opportunities guest blogger Martha Jennings, a Sustainability Champion in DWP, takes us through the challenges Skomer Island has faced as a result of the worsening climate crisis, and the opportunities to protect it. Photo courtesy of Martha Jennings An internationally important seabird island and home to one of Britain’s largest puffin populations, Skomer, situated off the southwest coast of Pembrokeshire in Wales, attracts 20,000 visitors a year, including myself. The rich biodiversity on display both on and off the island has brought me back here for over a decade. In May this year I was due to visit the island again with friends. The morning of our visit, I received an email to say our trip had been cancelled due to ‘very strong winds and swell’. We managed to book onto a tour boat going around the island the next day where we were met with the on-going strong winds and stomach-churning swells. By booking 6 months ahead, my friends and I thought we had beaten the crowds, but in the face of climate change Skomer’s mass tourism is not the island’s only challenge. Challenges As a result of climate change, storms like the one that cancelled our trip are now more frequent, particularly during the guillemot’s breeding season in May as Professor Tim Birkhead’s 50 - year study of guillemots on Skomer observed. [1]  In May 2021, two storms ‘resulted in the direct loss of many guillemot eggs and reduced breeding successes’ and in 2014, another storm caused a ‘sharp increase in guillemot deaths’. [2]  Storm damage has also caused pink sea fan populations to decline [3] and behavioural changes has been seen in Skomer’s seal populations. It was reported that after Storm Brian in October 2017, the number of adult seals hauled-out on the beaches decreased. [4]   Climate change has also caused behavioural changes in Skomer’s seabirds due to rising air and water temperatures. Birkhead's study found that climate change had caused altered breeding patterns with guillemots ‘now breeding on average, two-and-a-half weeks earlier’ than they did in the 1970’s. [5]  Puffin feeds per day have also decreased due to the additional distance they must travel for decent shoal numbers as sand eels, integral to the puffin’s diet, are more attuned to cold water. [6]   In the last 3 years, the minimum sea temperatures were the highest on record since 2007, ‘9.1 degrees Celsius was the minimum recorded in March 2024 compared to an average of 7.9 degrees Celsius for 2000 to 2024’. [7]   Photo courtesy of Martha Jennings Opportunities   Despite ongoing challenges, opportunities to tackle the effects of climate change to protect and preserve the wildlife on Skomer have been seized in the last two decades. Crucial to this has been the introduction of Wales’ first Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), established in 2014 under the Marine and Coastal Access Act of 2009. [8]   Skomer’s MCZ management plan uses byelaws under nature conservation legislation and codes of conducts to restrict certain activities such as dumping rubbish, and taking, killing or disturbing wildlife. [9] In recent years, Skomer’s MCZ has witnessed the recovery of its scallop population alongside a record 446 grey seal pups being born in 2021. [10] Additionally, the MCZ extensive research and monitoring programme not only broadens our knowledge and understanding of marine species, communities and habitats [11] , but it means that problems can be caught early- a valuable ability in the face of unpredictable changes to the climate. Opportunities to make the island more resilient to the impacts of climate change from projects like the ‘ Sustainable and Resilient Skomer and Skokholm Islands’ project funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in March 2024, have allowed urgent upgrades to infrastructure and facilities on the island to reduce energy. [12]  This includes the replacement of the solar hot water system and new windows on the south side of the library building which will reduce damp and draughts and keep heat in. [13] The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales has said that reducing energy costs will allow the organisation to invest more ‘income in the management of the nature reserve’, ultimately leading to enhanced biodiversity. [14] The island’s strict codes of conduct already in place further aim to reduce human impact on the island and wildlife. Visitors are highly encouraged to walk on the dedicated paths which have been purposely formed to go around the various wildlife habitats, particularly the fragile puffin burrows. Dogs are also not allowed on the island and there are no bins, so rubbish must be taken home. Photo courtesy of Martha Jennings What next for Skomer? In the face of climate change, it’s hard to predict what challenges Skomer island, its wildlife, visitors, volunteers and staff may face. Skomer has proven that there are opportunities for the island to withstand the impacts of climate change and in some areas thrive. I hope I, like the other thousands of visitors to Skomer, will be able to visit and support the island for future generations to come. Photo courtesy of Martha Jennings References [1] https://sheffield.ac.uk/news/scientists-50-year-study-reveals-climate-change-and-avian-flu-impact-uk-seabirds [2] https://sheffield.ac.uk/news/scientists-50-year-study-reveals-climate-change-and-avian-flu-impact-uk-seabirds [3] https://www.mcsuk.org/news/skomer-island-a-marine-conservation-success-story/ [4] https://skomerisland.blogspot.com/2017/10/seals-and-storms.html#:~:text=There%20was%20some%20impact%20on,also%20decreased%20since%20the%20storm.&text=While%20sharing%20this%20information%20is,breeding%20population%20of%20Grey%20Seals.&text=If%20you%20are%20interested%20in,here%20on%20the%20WTSWW%20homepage . [5] https://sheffield.ac.uk/news/scientists-50-year-study-reveals-climate-change-and-avian-flu-impact-uk-seabirds [6] https://www.seatrust.org.uk/blog/puffins-porpoise-and-policy-why-skomer-teems-with-life/ [7] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/26/guillemots-study-skomer-wales-budget-cut-tim-birkhead [8] https://www.seatrust.org.uk/blog/puffins-porpoise-and-policy-why-skomer-teems-with-life/ [9] https://naturalresources.wales/guidance-and-advice/environmental-topics/wildlife-and-biodiversity/protected-areas-of-land-and-seas/skomer-marine-conservation-zone/?lang=en [10] https://www.mcsuk.org/news/skomer-island-a-marine-conservation-success-story/ [11] https://naturalresources.wales/guidance-and-advice/environmental-topics/wildlife-and-biodiversity/protected-areas-of-land-and-seas/skomer-marine-conservation-zone/?lang=en [12] https://www.welshwildlife.org/news/sustainable-and-resilient-skomer-and-skokholm-islands#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20work%20to,their%20nest%20burrows%20after%20dark . [13] https://www.welshwildlife.org/news/sustainable-and-resilient-skomer-and-skokholm-islands#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20work%20to,their%20nest%20burrows%20after%20dark . [14] https://www.welshwildlife.org/news/sustainable-and-resilient-skomer-and-skokholm-islands#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20work%20to,their%20nest%20burrows%20after%20dark . Contribute to the CSCEN Blog If you're interested in contributing to the CSCEN Blog, get in touch with us at environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk . We'd love to hear your ideas!

We represent a group of civil servants from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our mission is to build climate and environment knowledge and policy capability across the Civil Service. CSCEN Careers Talk with ISEP - Inside ISEP: Building Skills for a Sustainable Future Wed 21 Jan Microsoft Teams More info Register CSCEN January Talk - Optimism in Action: Behavioural Insights for Climate Engagement Tue 27 Jan Microsoft Teams More info Register CSCEN January Discussion Group. Future Horizons: How Youth Leadership and Government Action Are Shaping Climate Culture Wed 28 Jan Microsoft Teams More info Register Load More About Upcoming Events Podcasts Volunteering Champions Network Training

Civil Service Climate + Environment Conference FAQs Mail Conference Home General Where will the in-person conference be held this year? The 2026 conference will be held at Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge, in central London. What are the satellite locations and what will be the offering at these locations? Locations have not yet been confirmed. We expect these satellite locations to bring together places for growth across the UK to stream the live conference and to provide opportunities for networking. What time will the conference start and finish? It is anticipated that the conference venue will be open from 08:45, with the conferences speaking sessions starting at 10:00. Attendees will be able to network and look around stalls between 08:45 and 10am with sessions starting at 10:00 to allow those travelling from outside of London to travel. The conference is anticipated to conclude by 17:30. Please note that the agenda for the day has not yet been finalised so these times are subject to change. Are you still accepting abstracts? No, abstract submission has now closed. Registration for the conference will open soon and information for this will be circulated over the CSCEN mailing list, as well as on the website, once it becomes available. Tickets When will tickets be available to attend? Tickets are not yet live and are expected to be released at the end of January / early February. What tickets will be available? Tickets will be available to attend in-person, attend online or attending a satellite location. Volunteers I want to help organise the conference. How can I get involved? We will be be reaching out to members to become volunteers at our in-person venue and satellite locations to help for the running of the conference on the day. More information on this will follow in the coming months. Programme When will the programme be released and where can I find the programme? The programme is expected to be released by the end of January 2026. Please note that this is subject to change.

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