Professor Euan Nisbet, from the Department of Earth Sciences, has been honoured for his work on atmospheric methane during a meeting hosted by the European Commission to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the discovery of methane by Alessandro Volta, who also invented the electric battery.

Celebrating the anniversary, the event was held at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra, near Lake Maggiore - very close to the site of Volta’s discovery. Professor Nisbet was recognised for his four decades of pioneering work on rising levels of atmospheric methane, as well as his influential role in shaping scientific and policy responses to methane-driven climate change.

The event was attended in person by around 200 people, including leading methane scientists from all over the world.  Policy makers present included representatives from many European nations, the presidencies of Brazil and Nigeria, and the UN.  Discussions highlighted the latest science on methane sources, monitoring and mitigation, and policy and technology steps needed to cut methane emissions.

Professor Nisbet has led many European and UK consortia studying methane. He is a member of the Science Oversight Panel, steering the United Nations International Methane Emissions Observatory, a core part of the UN Global Methane Pledge. Now emeritus, he is supported by the Leverhulme Trust.

Upon receiving the award, Professor Nisbet said: “This medal really honours our whole Royal Holloway team, especially David Lowry, Rebecca Fisher, and James France, who have worked so hard over to help lead Europe’s efforts to understand and mitigate methane-driven climate change.”

Dr Christina Manning, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway, added: “Professor Nisbet’s award is very well deserved. His career with Royal Holloway’s Department of Earth Sciences has helped advance methane science globally and shape action on climate change.

“This leadership is now being carried forward by the Royal Holloway Greenhouse Gas Research Group, whose ongoing research is delivering critical insights into greenhouse gas sources and directly informing climate policy.”