The ACRG uses chemistry-climate models which aim to integrate chemical processes, such as ozone formation, aerosol dynamics, and greenhouse gas cycles, with physical climate models to simulate the Earth system more faithfully. Chemistry-climate models help to explore key issues like air quality, radiative forcing, and feedback mechanisms between emissions and climate change, and as such are useful  tools for assessing the impacts of anthropogenic activities, predicting future climate scenarios, and informing mitigation and adaptation strategies to address global environmental challenges.

The UKESM1 model, as part of the Earth System Model framework, incorporates advanced representations of atmospheric chemistry, aerosols, and their interactions with climate systems. Recent studies in the group have focused on the role of anthropogenic methane emissions, and the role of aerosols in radiative forcing.  The aim is to understand the impacts of anthropogenic emissions on air quality and climate feedbacks, and the influence of chemical processes on the Earth's energy balance. These publications help understand the interactions between human activities and natural processes, and how they shape climate variability and long-term trends, informing both scientific research and policy development.

Work using UKESM1 contributes to the UKRI TerraFIRMA project, HECTER, and formed part of the underpinning climate model experiments for CMIP6.