STUDIES by a Swindon-based research council are at the forefront of hopes for an international climate change agreement in Paris.

Climate science research commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council, based at Polaris House, is set to play a pivotal role in helping negotiators thrash out an international agreement at COP 21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Commentators see the conference as crucial, as the world needs an international agreement to have a chance of keeping global warming below 2°C.

The Stern Review estimates that, without action, the overall costs and risks of climate change will be equivalent to losing at least five per cent of global GDP each year, now and forever.

Nearly two-thirds of the UK authors behind a crucial report being discussed are NERC-funded.

NERC's chief executive, Professor Duncan Wingham, said: "COP21 is a significant world event. Agreements need to be made to ensure we aim to keep global warming below 2°C.

"I am proud of the world-leading contribution NERC research and scientists will make to these talks.

"We are demonstrating our position as a world-class provider of climate change research."

NERC invests £58m a year in weather and climate research.