A €2.5m grant has been awarded to Professor Jan Selby by the European Research Council (ERC), the University’s first since the UK rejoined the EU’s Horizon research scheme post-Brexit.
Professor Selby joined the School of Politics and International Studies as Professor of International Politics and Climate Change in 2023. His research focuses on international climate and environmental politics.
This represents a vital opportunity to address one of the most urgent and underexplored aspects of climate change.
The project, entitled Global Methane Politics (METH-POL), aims to produce a pioneering body of work that investigates the most significant political obstacles to the global effort to reduce methane emissions.
It will involve research into 16 countries, in both the global North and global South, encompassing the top five methane emitting countries. The project will also examine the major methane emitting sectors, and investigate a wide range of methane governance initiatives, institutions, and techniques.
It will also involve an extensive knowledge exchange with scientific, policy and practitioner communities.
On receiving the grant, Professor Selby said: “This represents a vital opportunity to address one of the most urgent and underexplored aspects of climate change. Methane is a major contributor to global warming, and tackling it requires not just scientific solutions, but global political commitment and international cooperation.
“Through this project, we aim to shed light on the political dynamics around tackling methane emissions and help drive more effective global action.”
Critical need for reductions
Methane is the second largest contributor to climate change as a result of human activity.
Because methane is a short-lived greenhouse gas, reducing methane emissions is vital if warming is to be limited to anywhere near 1.5°C.
Despite recognition recently that methane is an important policy concern worldwide since the launch of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021, very little research has been conducted on methane policy, regulations or politics in practice. Professor Selby believes this is a critical shortcoming if the GMP target of a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 is to be more seriously pursued.
The project will run from 2026 to 2030, critical years if the GMP 30-30 target is to be achieved.
Important partnerships
The funding is granted by the European Research Council as part of its Advanced Grant competition, delivered through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.
Following Brexit, the UK was initially designated as an Associated Country to Horizon Europe, but this could not be formally approved due to unresolved issues related to the Northern Ireland Protocol, but it rejoined the scheme in September 2023. This project marks the University of Leeds’ first ERC Advanced Grant since rejoining.
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Nick Plant said: “This grant highlights the critical role of research in informing effective climate policy. By examining the political dynamics of methane reduction, this project contributes valuable insights into one of the most urgent environmental challenges we face.
“It reflects the University’s commitment to produce evidence-based solutions and demonstrates how strategic partnerships—like those enabled through the European Research Council—can enhance our collective capacity to deliver meaningful, policy-relevant outcomes.”
The Advanced Grant competition is one of the most prestigious and competitive funding schemes in the EU. It gives senior researchers the opportunity to pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to major scientific breakthroughs.
The 2024 round of funding, worth a total of €721 million, will go to 281 leading researchers across Europe, 56 of whom are in the UK.
President of the European Research Council, Professor Maria Leptin said: “Congratulations to the new grant winners! Much of this pioneering research will contribute to solving some of the most pressing challenges we face - social, economic and environmental.”
Further information
For media enquiries please contact University of Leeds press officer Morgan Buswell via email on m.buswell@leeds.ac.uk or by phone on 0113 3438059.
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