Personal profile
Personal profile
Experienced greenhouse gas and climate research scientist with over 70 peer reviewed publications. Currently employed by the Environmental Defense Fund and Royal Holloway University of London.
Responsible for science strategy and project management of methane science within the framework of UNEP's IMEO (United Nations Environment Programme: International Methane Emissions Observatory).
At Royal Holloway, responsible for measurements of methane and other greenhouse gases using mobile platforms for investigating difficult to reach methane emissions. Campaigns include: North Sea oil and gas installations; Agricultural emissions on the island of Jersey; Bolivian wetlands; and various emission sources in the UK. Experienced in scientific campaign management, project design, instrument deployment and analysis of large atmospheric datasets. Also currently involved in MSc level lecturing and project supervision.
Previously responsible for the project management, design, implementation and day to day running the Roland von Glasow Air-Sea-Ice Chamber at UEA, along with installing (and maintaining) atmospheric instruments for measuring methane and carbon dioxide as part of the Methane Observations and Yearly Assessment (MOYA) program.
Holds a PhD in snowpack photochemistry and snow-air interactions from the University of London and a 1st Class MSci in Geosciences.
Research interests
Main research profile currently: Greenouse Gas Emission Quantification, Long-Term Trends in Atmospheric Methane, Method Development for Source Attribution of Methane Emissons.
Previously working on snow optical properties and pollution (such as black carbon) within snowpack on snow surface reflectance, snowpack chemistry and snow / ice as a habitat and rates of photochemistry occurring in snow and ice.
Educational background
Postgraduate Degree, Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London. PhD thesis: ‘Chemical Oxidation in Snowpack’ submitted May 2008, completed October 2008.
First Degree, Department of Geology, Royal Holloway, University of London. MSci Geosciences: 1st Class (honours), Jun. 2004
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 2 Zero Hunger
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
-
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
-
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
-
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
-
SDG 13 Climate Action
-
SDG 14 Life Below Water
-
SDG 15 Life on Land
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Controlled release testing of commercially available methane emission measurement technologies at the TADI facility
McManemin, A., Juéry, C., Blandin, V., France, J. L., Burdeau, P. & Brandt, A. R., 10 Feb 2026, In: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques. 19, 3, p. 923-934 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Soil moisture and temperature effects on seasonal and diurnal fluxes of methane and other greenhouse gases from a temperate woodland
Batten, S., Yamulki, S., Bell, M., Fisher, R., Milner, A., France, J., Clemitshaw, K. & Lowry, D., 1 Jun 2026, In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 384, 111185.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
An evaluation of airborne mass balance and tracer correlation approaches to estimate site-level CH4 emissions from LNG facilities using CO2 as a tracer of opportunity
Lunt, M. F., Harris, S. J., Hacker, J., Joynes, I., Robertson, T., Thompson, S. & France, J., 11 Sept 2025, In: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques. 18, 17, p. 4413-4431 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
An Eye on Methane 2025: From measurement to momentum. Data is driving action — now the pace must match the promise.
France, J. & International Methane Emissions Observatory Team, U., 22 Oct 2025, 52 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open Access -
Characterising methane emissions from dairy farm sources using mobile and dual-isotope measurements in Jersey, Channel Islands
Woolley Maisch, C., Fisher, R., France, J., Lowry, D., Lanoiselle, M., Rockmann, T., van der Veen, C. & Nisbet, E., Dec 2025, In: Atmospheric Environment: X. 28, 100384.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
-
EMPreSS: Enhanced Methane MonitoringPrecision with a Multi-Agent UAV System Solution
Lowry, D. (PI), France, J. (CoI) & Fisher, R. (CoI)
Natural Envt Research Council NERC
1/12/24 → 31/05/26
Project: Research
-
MOMENTUM: Mobile Observations and quantification of Methane Emissions to inform National Targeting, Upscaling and Mitigation
Lowry, D. (PI), Fisher, R. (CoI) & France, J. (Researcher)
Natural Envt Research Council NERC
1/09/23 → 31/08/26
Project: Research
-
Environmental Baseline Monitoring
Lowry, D. (PI), Fisher, R. (CoI) & France, J. (Researcher)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Project: Research
-
Direct Measurement Landfill Methane Emission 2
Lowry, D. (PI), Fisher, R. (CoI) & France, J. (Researcher)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
30/08/24 → 31/03/26
Project: Research
Activities
-
Brake point: why methane action can't wait
France, J. (Panel participant)
25 Jul 2025Activity: Other › Public engagement, outreach and knowledge exchange - Public Lecture/debate/seminar
-
Experts revisit breakthrough moment for methane monitoring
France, J. (Speaker)
17 Jul 2025Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Participation in interview for web-based media
-
Energy Asia 2025
France, J. (Chair)
17 Jun 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in a conference
-
EGU General Assembly 2025
France, J. (Invited speaker)
28 Apr 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in a conference
-
EGU General Assembly 2025
France, J. (Chair)
28 Apr 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in a conference