Climate research at Lund University

Lund University has a huge breadth of climate research. This research is carried out at eight of the University’s faculties and almost 30 different departments and centres. The research spans a range of disciplines, from science, medicine and engineering to social sciences, humanities, economics and law.

The University’s climate research is characterised by interdisciplinary perspectives, and a number of the University’s strong research areas and Linnaeus research environments address the climate, for example Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate (BECC) , Modelling the Regional and Global Earth System (MERGE) , the Lund University Centre of Excellence for Integration of Social and Natural Dimensions of Sustainability, (LUCID) and the Lund Centre for Studies of Carbon Cycle and Climate Interaction (LUCCI) . 

Below are the fields in which we conduct climate research. In each field, research is carried out in several disciplines, in both large and small programmes and projects.

Past Climates, Natural Climate Variability and Change

The long-term global climate conditions are strongly shaped by such large-scale processes as solar activity, atmospheric composition changes, atmospheric and ocean circulation patterns, and ice sheet dynamics and their coupled interactions. Find out more.

Physical climate system processes

Physical processes play a key role in the climate system. Process studies, measurements and modelling are needed to better understand the climate system, which is a prerequisite for projections, scenarios and predictions to support mitigation and adaption. Find out more.

The carbon cycle

The carbon cycle refers to the flow of carbon in and between different pools and reservoirs in the ocean, the biosphere and the atmosphere. A fraction of the anthropogenic carbon emissions are taken up by the oceans and by the land biosphere. This reduces the climate impact of the emissions, but it also has profound effects on marine and land ecosystems.
Find out more.

Climate impacts and feedback: Ecosystems and biodiversity

Climate change has profound effects on biodiversity, ecosystem structure and ecosystem function. These changes will affect fundamental ecological services and induce biogeochemical climate feedback mechanisms. Find out more.

Climate impacts: Health effects

An increased occurrence of extreme weather events, including prolonged heatwaves with heat stress and episodes of heavy rainfall, increase the risk of damp in buildings, contamination of drinking water, and possible increased use of insecticides and fungicides. Find out more.

Climate impacts: Coastal, marine and river basin processes and management

Anthropogenic climate change is commonly believed to lead to increasing sea levels. The global mean sea level rise is projected to be up to around 1 metre by the end of the 21st century (with a range from a few tens of centimetres to over one and a half metres), and to continue for many centuries thereafter. Find out more.

Conflicts, vulnerability and risks

New, effective policy instruments are needed to mitigate but also to adapt and cope with climate change. The potential of various economic policies and legal frameworks, in combination with conflict and risk management strategies, is of key importance. Find out more.

Energy for sustainable development

The use of fossil fuels accounts for almost 60% of the global emissions of greenhouse gases, in addition to other environmental problems and energy security implications. Energy efficiency and conservation, in particular at the point of end use, and renewable energy sources are crucial elements of energy systems for sustainable development and improved access to energy services. Find out more.

Advanced technologies for energy conversion and use

New groundbreaking technologies are essential to improve and replace current technologies related to energy conversion and use. Fundamental as well as applied research is needed to bring new technologies to the market. Find out more.

Transportation and logistics

Globally, the transport sector is responsible for about 13 % of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. In Sweden it is 30–40 %. The development is driven by complex interactions between factors such as economic development, global trade patterns, technological development, changes in lifestyle and many more. Find out more.

Climate governance

A low-carbon society is technically possible and economically affordable. Making the transition requires successful governance, including international agreements, policies and policy instruments. Find out more.

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Innovation and entrepreneurship are important for the transition to a future with low or zero greenhouse gas emissions through the introduction of new technologies in new markets. Find out more.

The Climate Portal

The Climate Portal is Lund University’s web portal on climate research, which gathers news about research at the University. Most of the content is in Swedish, but a small amount of information in English is available here.

Master’s degrees in the field of climate studies

Lund University offers almost 30 courses and programmes focusing on the climate and sustainable development – everything from climate policy and sustainable enterprise to meteorology and physical geography. Some of these are delivered in English. Find out more about each programme and the climate studies component via the links below.

More international programmes in the field of Environment and Sustainability at Lund University.