The climate crisis requires more than just technology and new systems. It requires people who have the courage to think outside the box, to cooperate, and to drive change in everyday life, in research and in policy. In the latest episode of Rektorspodden (the Vice-Chancellor’s podcast series), we explore how real transformation happens – and why…
Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt and host Johannes Borgegård in an important conversation with Karen O'Brien, Zennström Professor in Climate Change Leadership.
Listen to the podcastResearch strengths
Fossil-free Energy
The scientific challenges and focus areas fall within the development of next generation technologies for energy conversion and storage. The goal is to achieve higher effectiveness, longer life, reduced environmental impact from production processes and materials.
Sustainable materials and material flows
Sustainable materials and material flows, from the acquisition and processing of raw materials to their safe use and the final treatment of residual products, are of vital importance to the societies of the future.
Evolution and biodiversity
Human impacts on ecosystems are becoming increasingly evident and climate change, urbanisation, and pollution of natural environments threaten the diversity of species, their genetic diversity and ecosystem functions.
Research environments
Swedish centre for impacts of climate extremes, Climes
Interdisciplinary research center aimed at exploring and understanding the consequences of climate extremes.
UUniCORN – Uppsala University Conflicting Objectives Research Nexus
Trans- and interdisciplinary research relating to goal conflicts in sustainable development.
Blue Centre Gotland
Blue Centre Gotland (BCG) is a collaboration between Uppsala University, the County Administrative Board of Gotland and Region Gotland on development issues related to water – on land, along coasts and at sea.
Erken Laboratory
Fältstationen Erkenlaboratoriet har utvecklat ett omfattande uppföljningsprogram för sjön Erken, som lett till deltagande i flera större EU-projekt med inriktning mot effekter av klimatförändring och automatisk monitoring av växtplanktonutveckling i sjöar.
Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE)
Research initiative aimed at enabling sustainable development through cutting-edge basic and demand-driven materials science on an international level. Uppsala University participates along with six other Swedish universities.
Air, water and landscape sciences
Weather and climate, water quality and landscape changes.
Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
Interdisciplinary research on natural resources, energy and sustainable development.
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Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS)
Links climate research to the tangible risks facing society by studying how climate change affects the frequency and consequences of natural events such as floods, heatwaves and wildfires.
Uppsala University Graduate School in Sustainability Studies (GRASS)
The mission of Uppsala University Graduate School in Sustainability Studies (GRASS) is to conduct research on key social challenges including changed energy systems, sustainable consumption and destinations development.
Symposium 'Sustainability Research and Teaching in a Time of Polycrisis'
This event will explore innovative approaches to sustainability education, research methodologies that account for complexity, and strategies to translate knowledge into real-world impact. It takes place on 18-19 August 2026 and the deadline for abstract submission is 30 May 2026.
ClimateExistence Conference 2026
The event takes place from 16 November to 18 NovemberWe have an exciting conference lined up for you in November, with over thirty different contributions, four plenary sessions, exhibitions and artistic explorations being planned.
News on research about climate change
Schools engaged in forest biodiversity study
How does biodiversity differ between natural forests and production forests? Researchers Tobias Andermann and Mahwash Jamy are seeking to fi...
Genetic mapping of Baltic Sea herring a key to sustainable fishing
Herring from different parts of the Baltic Sea belong to distinct populations genetically adapted to local differences in salinity and tempe...
Uppsala aims to take a leading role in climate research
Climate-related research is identified as a new strategic research area in the Government’s research bill. Uppsala University already boasts...
Anders Celsius
Today’s research in climate, astronomy and geophysics at Uppsala University has clear, direct links to Anders Celsius. Perhaps primarily in the form of the unit we still use to measure temperature – in Uppsala and all over the world.
The temperature and weather measurements that Anders Celsius started in Uppsala in 1722 have continued without interruption since then. The measurement series constitutes a very important dataset for today’s climate research.
1722
Anders Celsius begins taking daily weather and temperature readings
2015
Zennström Professorship in Climate Leadership
2021
Graduate School in Sustainability Studies
How Uppsala University is working with sustainability
Uppsala University aims to take a leading role on the path towards a more sustainable society. The education we provide and research we conduct is translated into new knowledge, better technology, developments in how society is organised, and changed behaviour patterns. The University is also required to contribute to sustainable development in its own operations. (From Uppsala University’s mission, goals and strategies)
Universitetet arbetar med hållbarhet på flera olika sätt i sin egen verksamhet, utöver den forskning som bedrivs. Här är några exempel:
Discover more of our research on climate change
Climate change
Research on climate change is about everything from nature and its natural resources, biodiversity, energy and more to psychology, economics etc.
Biodiversity
Research in biodiversity is hugely important for achieving the goal of sustainable development for future generations.
Energy
Research on energy conversion, storage, fuels and energy transmission and more.
Education
Bachelor's Programme in Energy Transition – Sustainability and Leadership
The programme gives you the opportunity to combine knowledge from various disciplines to address complex issues relating to energy transitions and sustainability. This provides you with a unique and broad skillset for a future career or further studies.
Master's Programme in Sustainable Development
Do you want to gain the knowledge and skills required to deal with complex challenges towards sustainable development? Are you interested in conducting your studies with a diverse group of international students? Do you aspire to co-create sustainable futures?
Master's Programme in Sustainable and Innovative Natural Resource Management – SINReM
Do you want to be involved in the green transition for sustainable exploration and extraction of mineral resources? The programme allows you to study, research, and start your own business. This international programme combines a strong foundation for your career with new approaches in the field to help manage the Earth's resources in a careful and sustainable way.
