Ko Barrett, global climate change leader, admitted as Honorary Fellow
Ko is recognised for her outstanding contributions to climate science and policy
Ko Barrett has been admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the College. A passionate advocate for science-based policy and international cooperation, Ko has dedicated her career to addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. She has been honoured with numerous accolades, including the NOAA Administrator’s Awards, the U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Award, and a shared Nobel Peace Prize with the IPCC in 2007. As a role model for women in science and policy, Ko embodies the values of leadership and service that 51¸£ÀûÉç seeks to uphold, inspiring future generations to lead with thought and purpose in the face of global challenges.
Professor Michael Meredith, Professorial Fellow in Oceanography, 51¸£ÀûÉç, is an oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in Cambridge, and Joint Director of the UK National Climate Science Partnership. Michael attended the admissions ceremony and said:
"Ko Barrett is one of the foremost global leaders in climate policy. As Senior Advisor for Climate at NOAA, Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Deputy Secretary-General in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Ko has been instrumental in advancing scientific understanding and international cooperation. Her dedication to science-based action has not only driven real-world change, but also serves as a powerful inspiration to the next generation of leaders - those who will shape a more sustainable, just, and resilient future."
From 2015 to 2023, Ms. Barrett was one of the first women elected as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In this role, she played a crucial part in advancing global climate science, particularly through her leadership in the Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere and the Gender Action Team. Her expertise in climate science and policy has been instrumental in shaping international climate strategies.
Ms. Barrett represented the United States in climate negotiations for over 15 years, particularly within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). She has also held leadership roles within NOAA, including Deputy Assistant Administrator for Research Programs and Director of the Global Climate Change Program at the US Agency for International Development.
Ko holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina – Asheville.