What is the Climate and Nature Bill, and why does it matter?

The Zero Hour campaign is here to tell us, as we dive into their efforts to secure widespread backing for the Climate and Nature Bill. The Bill, which had its Second Reading in Parliament on 24 January 2025, aims to strengthen the UK government’s commitments to cut emissions, restore nature, and ensure public consultation on the road to net zero.

Hosts Mark and Simon are joined by Simon Oldridge, Policy Advisor at Zero Hour to break down the key components of the Bill, and why it’s crucial to tackling the climate emergency. Simon also sheds light on how Zero Hour managed to gain cross-party support for the Bill, and what individuals can do to help it get passed.

We also hear from the Bill’s sponsor: Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, on why she believes it’s a vital step needed on climate action. And from Conservative MP Andrew Bowie, who shares his concerns about the Bill and why he remains a critic.

Find out more about the Zero Hour campaign:

https://www.zerohour.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/@zerohour_uk

UCL’s Love Your Planet event: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/events/2025/feb/love-your-planet-2025

Transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/ucl-generation-one-climate-podcast

Date of episode recording: 31st February 2025

Duration: 32.51 mins

Language of episode: English 

Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee 

Guests:

Simon Oldridge, Policy Advisor at Zero Hour

Producers:

Adam Batstone

Caitlin Mullin

Following our first podcast where we dispelled some Myths about apprenticeships and spoke about why growing talent within is important, we now take a look at two factors that will help apprentices succeed during their training: the importance of a Growth Mindset and making the most of networking. Join UCL Apprenticeship Managers Paula and Uzma as they have a chat over a cuppa and provide some hints and tips during National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

Date of episode recording: 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z

Duration: 00:16:42

Language of episode: English

Presenter:Uzma Sadiq; Paula Sandamas

Join Paula and Uzma, Apprenticeship Managers as they discuss the importance of time management and how to view failure as an opportunity, providing advice and guidance for apprentices to support wellbeing. Part of the series of podcasts developed to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025. Links:

Date of episode recording: 2025-02-13T00:00:00Z

Duration: 00:14:00

Language of episode: English

This is the third of five podcasts in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2025. Today Apprenticeship Managers, Paula and Uzma focus on the role of the line manager and the pivotal role they play in supporting apprentices during their programme. For line managers, those that are considering recruiting an apprentice or for anyone interested in apprenticeships to better understand the support you should expect of your line manager.

Date of episode recording: 2025-02-12T00:00:00Z

Duration: 00:15:12

Language of episode: English

Presenter:Uzma Sadiq; Paula Sandamas

This is the final podcast in the series to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025. Paula and Uzma discuss what next after an apprenticeship, what apprentices should consider and do to develop their careers and keep their skills alive. For apprentices and managers who want to find out more about life after an apprenticeship.

Date of episode recording: 2025-02-14T00:00:00Z

Duration: 00:18:00

Language of episode: English

Presenter:Uzma Sadiq; Paula Sandamas

Welcome to the first of our five daily podcasts to celebrate National Apprenticeship week 2025. UCL Apprenticeship Managers Paula Sandamas and Uzma Sadiq chat about apprenticeships, who they are for, the positive impact they can have and dispel all the myths. Thought you know about apprenticeships – think again! Find out how apprenticeships are relevant to you no matter who you are and what you do and why its important to grow our talent within.

Date of episode recording: 2025-02-10T00:00:00Z

Duration: 00:20:23

Language of episode: English

Presenter: Uzma Sadiq; Paula Sandamas

Today we are continuing our discussion on gene therapy, with Dr Rajvinder Karda, hosted by Olivia. Raj is both a researcher and professor at the UCL Institute for Women's Health, with her role as an associate professor of Gene Therapy, as well as leading a team of research focussing on developing pre-clinical gene therapy and RNA editing treatments for childhood epilepsy, including Dravet Syndrome. Listen in to learn more about Raj's work in the field of gene therapy, as she explains more about how gene therapies are being researched and developed for pre-clinical trials, including in her lab where her team is working on the development of gene therapies for treating Dravet Syndrome.

Date of episode recording: 2025-01-22T00:00:00Z

Duration: 00:30:16

Language of episode: English

Presenter:Olivia Moir

Guests: Dr Rajvinder Karda

Producer: Olivia, UCL Institute for Women's Health, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences

How are we improving dental health so we don't have to keep going back to the dentist? Anastasios Koulogiannis is a Post Graduate Researcher at UCL. He's looking at engineering applications in healthcare in the department of Mechanical Engineering and so whilst he's not a dentist (although he does have a lot of dental knowledge after spending a lot of time with dentists), Anastasios speaks to us about his research using ultrasound technology and the way its changing dental care. We cover the 'basis' like what root canal treatments are (did anyone else just think that teeth were inanimate objects?) and how Anastasios and his team are working on a treatment device that will make sure you get the treatment you need, won't have to keep going back to the dentist with tooth pains and ultimately save the NHS money.

Date of episode recording: 2024-05-22T00:00:00Z

Duration: 00:15:40

Language of episode: English

Presenter:Ferdouse Akhter

Guests: Anastasios Koulogiannis

Producer: Ferdouse Akhter; Shakira Crawford

In today’s episode, we delve into the complex and often misunderstood world of autocratic leadership. At first glance, it might seem like authoritarian rulers wield unchallenged power, free to govern without opposition. After all, the term "autocrat" stems from the Greek for "self-rule." But is that really how it works in practice?

A fantastic new book, 'Autocrats Can't Always Get What They Want', challenges this simplistic view. It reveals how modern autocratic leaders operate within a web of constraints that can shape, and sometimes even limit, their power. Intriguingly, these constraints aren’t always by design. Instead, they often emerge from circumstances that are outside the ruler's control—yet they still influence the way states function under authoritarian rule.

To unpack these fascinating insights, I’m joined by two of the book’s authors:

- Dr Samer Anabtawi, Lecturer in Comparative Politics at UCL’s Department of Political Science, brings his expertise in comparative governance to the discussion.

- Professor Nathan Brown, a leading scholar of political science and international affairs from George Washington University, offers a global perspective on the nuanced realities of authoritarian regimes.

Together, we explore a thought-provoking conversation that examines the mechanisms of modern authoritarianism and its implications for politics worldwide.

Transcript: https://ucl-uncovering-politics.simplecast.com/episodes/are-there-limits-on-autocratic-power/transcript

We all know that meat production emits a substantial amount of greenhouse gases, nearly 60% by some estimates, and so we need to do something about it. Darren Player, Associate Professor in Musculoskeletal Bioengineering, discusses the development of lab-grown meat, why he's working on engineering new, sustainable sources of meat and how he's doing it. We're also joined by Beren Fidan, a Colotaruna Soprano, who is vegan and shares her thoughts on the ethics of lab-grown meat and whether it's a viable option for her.

Date of episode recording: 2024-04-22T00:00:00Z

Duration: 35:08

Language of episode: English

Presenter:Ferdouse Akhter

Guests: Darren Player; Beren Fidan

Producer: Ferdouse Akhter; Shakira Crawford