SLU and the climate

What does SLU do for the climate? We provide knowledge, decision support and facts about climate solutions. We teach our students about sustainability, and they inspire us to further reduce our climate impact. Below are a few examples of how SLU contributes.

52 climate weeks in a year

The cooperation within UN on climate change highlights the science and skills needed in society to understand the climate change challenge and to find solutions. At SLU, every week is "climate week". We contribute our knowledge about the development and sustainable use of living natural resources all year round.

SLU's first sustainability report

Find out how SLU's operational areas contribute to achieving the UN's global sustainability goals. Read the SLU Sustainability report for 2023 (in Swedish).

Scientific publications by SDG's

SLU researchers publish scholarly works related to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's). Explore the SLU output for, among others, goal number 13 – Climate Action.

SLU provides advice to the World Bank on how to reduce emissions of methane

SLU provides scientific advice on sustainable solutions to methane reduction in the agri-food and waste sectors.

Zero hunger (goal 2); Climate action (goal 13)

SLU contributes to sustainable food production, nationally and internationally. We teach about and study the climate impact of food production and consumption.

Agriculture for Food Security Food systems at SLU Sustainable diet from sustainable production Risk assessment of plant pests Global Animal Diseases Mistra Food Futures

Understanding the role of dead trees in climate change

Dead plants and animals in forests decompose, releasing stored carbon. A global study at 45 research sites is examining how climate and land use affect this process.

Scientist in the forest squatting next to a collection of sticks with marks on them.

From healthy food to junk food: Climate change behind food quality below water

Higher temperatures affects the northern landscapes. Researchers document changes in lake ecosystem functions and food webs.

Subarctic species richness and distribution influenced by climate

In his doctoral thesis, Pablo de la Peña Aguilera investigated what controls the distribution and species composition of insects, vascular plants and soil fungi across subarctic landscapes.

This is one pitfall sample, where you can see spiders, ground beetles, and some flies. Photo.

Films about forests and climate change

The challenge of climate change means the expectations of forests are growing faster than the forests themselves. What role can forests play in mitigating climate change? Films by SLU Future Forests.

Forest's in a new climate A rapidly changing forest Varied forestry

Diverse crop rotations can give greater cereal yields in a changing climate

The importance of a good crop rotation is known, but analyses of 32 decade-long cropping experiments across Europe and North America have clarified the benefits.

Photos of field trials in Sweden and Poland.

Rewetting drained peatlands can mitigate the effects of floods

In her doctoral thesis Shirin Karimi has studied how the hydrological function changes in the first few years after rewetting of a site in Sweden.

The author Shirin Karimi measuring groundwater table level (GWL) in one of the dipwells within Trollberget mire, autumn 2023. Photo: SLU

Damage caused by wind and snow

Climate change is expected to increase the incidence of several different types of forest damage, such as wind and snow.

Affordable and clean energy (goal 7); Climate action (goal 13)

SLU researchers study bioenergy production and biogas processes. SLU's enviromental monitoring and assessment also delivers science-based decision support on climate change and the use of natural resources.

Biogas Centre The greenhouse gas inventory Greenhouse gas measurements ICOS Official statistics about Sweden's forests Life Cycle Assessment

Climate change impacts on ecosystems

What is the impact of climate change on nature and its ecosystems? Is nature's calendar getting out of step? In what way is the growing season changing in different parts of the country?

Flora impacts Food chains Moose calving Artic insect community Fish impacts Freshwater impacts