The University of Bath has launched a new research centre focused on tackling some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges, after welcoming hundreds of international researchers and practitioners to the city for the 2026 Conference on Earth System Governance.

The new Bath Centre for Earth System Governance (BCESG) was announced during the conference, which last week brought together 456 delegates from 51 countries and featured 96 sessions exploring how governments, institutions, businesses, civil society, and communities can respond to climate change, biodiversity loss and other interconnected environmental challenges.

The event reaffirmed the Earth System Governance Project's position as the world’s largest international research community of its kind and provided a fitting backdrop for the launch of the new centre.

The new Bath Centre will bring together researchers from across disciplines to investigate how societies govern environmental change at multiple scales, addressing challenges including sustainable development and environmental justice. Working with policymakers, practitioners and international partners, it aims to strengthen the connection between research and real-world decision-making, helping to develop more effective and fair responses to global sustainability challenges.

Hosted by the University of Bath in partnership with the Earth System Governance Project, the conference was held under the theme ‘Building just and sustainable futures for planetary integrity’. It marked the beginning of work on the network's next ten-year Science Plan, helping to shape future priorities for sustainability governance research worldwide. As this year’s Conference Chair and newly appointed Co-Chair of the Earth System Governance Project’s Scientific Steering Committee, Professor Yixian Sun will play an important leadership role in these discussions.

Professor Yixian Sun, Director of BCESG, said: “We are excited to bring over 450 participants from across the globe to this year’s conference. I believe the conversation at the Bath Conference will advance innovative, solution-oriented research to transform governance at different scales towards sustainability and justice. With our new research centre, we look forward to working with partners in all world regions to not only advance our understanding of pressing sustainability challenges, but also develop governance solutions for a just and sustainable planet."

Throughout the week, delegates explored how societies can respond to increasingly interconnected environmental and social challenges. Discussions considered whose voices are heard in decision-making, the role of research in supporting policy and practice, and ways to make governance more inclusive and representative.

A keynote address from the UK Special Representative for Climate, Professor Rachel Kyte, invited delegates to consider whether existing governance systems are equipped to respond to a twenty-first century world shaped by climate change, biodiversity loss and growing geopolitical complexity.

Other sessions examined topics ranging from renewable energy transitions and climate justice to biodiversity governance and emerging sustainability risks.

During the conference's closing plenary, Professor Emma Carmel, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Bath, formally announced the launch of the new Centre as part of the University's commitment to sustainability research.

She said: “At a time when international collaboration is more important than ever, it was inspiring to see so many leading researchers choose to come to Bath to work together. The new Bath Centre for Earth System Governance is a strong marker of our commitment to interdisciplinary and impactful research to support sustainability transitions, and of our desire to share our expertise internationally.”

Beyond the formal programme, the conference highlighted the importance of bringing together diverse voices, perspectives and experiences to address shared sustainability challenges. From early career researchers attending their first international conference to established leaders in the field, discussions repeatedly returned to the importance of collaboration, inclusion and ensuring that those most affected by environmental change are able to contribute to the conversations shaping our collective future.

The conference and launch of the new Centre position Bath at the heart of international efforts to shape the next generation of Earth System Governance research.

The next Earth System Governance Conference will take place in Uppsala, Sweden, in September 2027.