Prof. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz

Professor Diana Ürge-Vorsatz is a globally recognised Hungarian climate scientist and one of the leading voices in climate change mitigation, energy efficiency and sustainable development policy. Since 2023, she has served as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning body for climate science. She is a Professor of Environmental Sciences at Central European University and former Director of the university’s Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Policy (3CSEP). She served as Coordinating Lead Author for both the Fourth and Fifth Assessment Reports of the IPCC. Prof. Ürge-Vorsatz holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of California, where she was a Fulbright Fellow. Originally trained in astrophysics, she shifted her focus to climate science, driven by a profound sense of urgency to address real-world planetary challenges. Her research examines the intersection of climate change, fuel poverty and building efficiency, emphasising policy pathways that deliver dual benefits for emissions reduction and social wellbeing. She has pioneered work on co-benefits of climate policy and has been instrumental in shaping ecosocial strategies that integrate environmental and equity considerations. She has advised the European Commission, United Nations agencies and other global institutions, and regularly contributes to major international summits, including the UN Climate Change Conferences (COP). Her insights have been featured in outlets such as BBC, The New York Times, and EuroNews. A dedicated communicator and advocate, Prof. Ürge-Vorsatz continues to shape both policy and public understanding of the urgent transition to climate-resilient societies.