Absolute Zero, Demand Reduction & Engineering Sustainability: a Conversation with Professor Julian Allwood

In this episode, CSCEN's Simon Salvi sits down with Professor Julian Allwood - Professor of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Cambridge and leader of the Use Less Group.We cover his transition from industry into academia, the story behind the landmark 2019 Absolute Zero report, why achieving our climate goals relies on demand reduction rather than technological silver bullets, commercialising university research through tech startups, and the key themes of his book Promise the Earth on restraint and human values.We hope you enjoy the episode!Julian Allwood Bio:Julian is Professor of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Cambridge, where he has led the Use Less Group for 25 years. Following an early career working with industrial aluminium producer Alcoa, he has pioneered research into resource efficiency, sustainable materials, and industrial demand reduction. Julian directed the UK FIRES research consortium, co-authored the high-profile Absolute Zero report (the University of Cambridge’s most accessed research publication), co-founded startups Reclinker and Deep Form, and co-authored Promise the Earth.Connect With Us: Join the conversation: [email protected] CSCEN website: https://www.civilserviceenvironmentnetwork.org/Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

How can you champion climate adaptation when your remit includes every government department?   Following the 2026 CSCEN conference, Cate Bone caught up with Government Chief Scientific Adviser Dame Angela McLean. They discussed Angela’s recent year of climate adaptation, the skills she has brought to her current role from her scientific career, and why she encourages curiosity throughout the civil service.  This episode was recorded on 01/04/2026. Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS is the Government Chief Scientific Adviser since her appointment in April 2023. She is also Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession. Angela was previously the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Defence. Her previous roles include Professor of Mathematical Biology in the Department of Zoology at Oxford University, and research fellowships at institutions including the Institut Pasteur in Paris and All Souls College, University of Oxford.  In 2009 Angela was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. She has been awarded the Gabor Medal in 2011 and the Weldon Memorial Prize in 2018. She received her damehood in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Connect With Us:  Join the conversation: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠  CSCEN website:  ⁠⁠⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠⁠⁠  Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. 

In this special edition of the CSCEN podcast, Paula Daina interviews Toby Park, Director of Climate, Energy & Sustainability at BIT.The discussion covers behavioural science insights such as the EAST (Easy, Attractive, Social, Timely) framework and individual VS system-level behaviour change.  Guest BioToby leads the energy, environment and sustainability work at BIT, covering topics as diverse as energy, water, mobility, food systems, and circular economy. His expertise lies in the psychology of environmental action at the individual and societal level. Most recently he has been advising the UK government on the public engagement and behavioural dimensions of its Net Zero Strategy.  Connect With UsJoin the conversation: [email protected] website: Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN OnlineDisclaimerThe views, thoughts and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent those of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

How does a Chief Scientific Adviser envision the future of climate action?  In this special episode, CSCEN's Cate Bone caught up with Professor Patricia Thornley after her panel: The CSA Perspective at the 2026 CSCEN Conference.  We discussed how Professor Thornley sees her role as Department for Transport’s Chief Scientific Adviser, how her academic work shapes her approach, and what she wants the public to know about the role transport plays in tackling the climate crisis.  Professor Patricia Thornley is a research leader in sustainable fuels. She has led the national research programme in bioenergy (UKRI Supergen Bioenergy Hub) for 14 years. Previous work includes leading on fuel scale up in the Clean Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and environmental assessment in the NewJet aviation project. Patricia continues to lead an EPSRC & BBSRC funded centre for doctoral training on negative emission technologies to remove greenhouse gases from atmosphere across Aston, Nottingham, Warwick and Queen’s University, Belfast. She was appointed Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department for Transport in February 2026. Connect With Us: Join the conversation: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ CSCEN website:  ⁠⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠⁠ Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only 

How does the Climate Change Committee approach external affairs and communications? What can we learn from other countries when planning for future climate policies in the UK? In this special edition of the podcast, CSCEN's Millie Cave explores these questions and more with the Climate Change Committee's (CCC) Director of External Affairs Sophie Vipond. This podcast was recorded live at the annual CSCEN conference. Guest Bio:Sophie Vipond is a communications and engagement specialist. She is currently the Director of External Affairs at the CCC. She has recently led on the communications strategy for the UK's 7th Carbon Budget (which we also discuss in this episode) and the upcoming 'Well Adapted UK' report. Highly experienced in global climate policy, she also co-chairs the International Climate Council Network's Communications Working Group. Connect With Us:Join the conversation: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠CSCEN website:  ⁠⁠⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only

In this special edition of the CSCEN podcast, Simon Salvi sat down for a conversation with Dr Nick Hughes, an Associate Professor of Sustainable Resource Governance at UCL, after his panel at the Climate and Environment Network's 2026 annual conference.They discussed his background and slightly unconventional route into the field, what sustainable resource governance means in practice, how to deliver a low-carbon transition in the UK and beyond, and the green growth vs post-growth debate. Guest BioDr Nick Hughes is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Resource Governance at UCL's Institute for Sustainable Resources, where his research encompasses a wide range of topics, from carbon capture to electricity networks. Through his work, he has contributed to many research and policy organisations, including Ofgem, the UK Energy Research Centre, the Climate Change Committee and the UN Environment Programme’s International Resource Panel. Connect With UsJoin the conversation: [email protected] CSCEN website: Civil Service Climate +Environment Network | CSCEN Online DisclaimerThe views, thoughts and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent those of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

In this special edition of the CSCEN podcast, CSCEN's Simon Salvi sat down with Dr Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England, shortly before he took to the stage at the Network's 2026 Annual Conference.They discussed his route to becoming the (record!) third-time Chair of Natural England, the scale and purpose of the organisation's work, how their new strategy integrates security, health and economic growth, and why he's still relentlessly optimistic that we can tackle the climate crisis. Guest BioDr Tony Juniper CBE has been the Chair of Natural England since 2019. He has worked in many environmental organisations, in a multitude of roles, for more than 35 years, including senior positions at Friends of the Earth, WWF UK, BirdLife International and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Tony is also a best-selling author - even having written with His Majesty King Charles III - whose books cover topics ranging from species conservation, to climate change, and the value of ecosystems to Britain and the world.  Connect With UsJoin the conversation: [email protected] website: Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online DisclaimerThe views, thoughts and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent those of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

Why are Easter eggs more expensive this year? And what can we learn from Nigeria’s long-term skills and training plan, which is helping them to build a green economy of the future?Episode Description:In this special edition of the CSCEN podcast, CSCEN's Millie Cave caught up with Sarah Mukherjee MBE before she delivered the closing address of the conference.We discussed topics ranging from: the skills, training and development required in a changing world; how to deliver the right messaging around climate change risks and sustainability to both the public and senior leaders; to the book that had a major impact on Sarah’s motivation to make a positive difference within the climate and environment field.Guest Bio: Sarah Mukherjee MBE is the CEO of ISEP. Previously Sarah was the BBC’s Environment correspondent, presenting on national and international BBC radio and television, winning awards across the world. After leaving the corporation, she held leadership roles in various sectors including utilities and agriculture. Sarah was a panel member for the National Parks Review and the Glover Review and also sat on the National Food Strategy Advisory Panel. She is co-chair of the Natural England Landscape Advisory Panel as well as Non-executive Director on the Board of the Environment Agency. In 2021 Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to agriculture and farmer well-being.Connect With Us:Join the conversation: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠CSCEN website:  ⁠⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only

In this episode, Paula Daina interviews Michel Bourban, philosopher working on the normative challenges raised by climate change and biodiversity loss. As an Assistant Professor in Environmental Ethics at the University of Twente, Michel leads research on climate justice, planetary justice, sustainability, eco-anxiety, and global citizenship.This episode covers crucial points including:- What is climate justice?- Climate anxiety as a driver for action- AI and climate justiceMore information and resources mentioned in this episode: michel.bourbanResearch Ethics and integrity for the GREEN transition (RE4GREEN)Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies (ESDiT)Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Citizenship: Navigating an Ecological Emotion | Springer Nature Link

How does a Chief Scientific Adviser envision the future of climate action? In this special episode, CSCEN's Cate Bone caught up with Professor Anjali Goswami after her panel: The CSA Perspective at the 2026 CSCEN Conference. We discussed how Professor Goswami's academic career has shaped her actions as Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser, the international initiatives which inspire her, and what skills she thinks will be most important in future climate careers. Professor Goswami is a celebrated scientist who has served as President of the Linnean Society of London and is a Fellow of the Royal Society. In addition to her academic achievements, she has authored a children’s book on palaeontology and received numerous prestigious awards, including the Zoological Society of London Scientific Medal, the Palaeontological Association President’s Medal, and the Humanists UK Darwin Day Medal. She was appointed as Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser in July 2025. Connect With Us:Join the conversation: ⁠[email protected]⁠CSCEN website:  ⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only