The urgent need to confront the hard realities of climate change resonated through the Queen's Birthday Honours List this weekend, with a number of the UK's leading climate experts among the recipients.

Professor Corinne Le Quere from the East Anglia School of Environmental Sciences - whose work focuses on the interactions between climate change and the carbon cycle - received a CBE for "services to climate science".

Le Quere, who holds an MSC in atmospheric sciences from McGill and a PhD in oceanography from University Paris IV, previously headed the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. She currently leads the annual update process for the Global Carbon Budget, which provides statistics on global carbon emissions and their drivers, and is a member of the UK's Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

Also recognised was Professor Richard Betts, Head of Climate Impacts at the Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, who received an MBE for "services to understanding climate change".

A leading expert in climate modelling and the impact of climate change ecosystems and water resources, Betts has become a regular commentator on climate risks and impacts on broadcast and social media, frequently debating with those who are sceptical about climate-related warnings and projections.    

Congratulations to Prof @richardabetts on his MBE. Richard's made a major contribution to our understanding of #climatechange science. He's briefed politicians & business leaders, presented science alongside Al Gore & spoken to Prince Charles about risks in the Amazon rainforest. https://t.co/R9CKZjS97Z

— Met Office Science (@MetOffice_Sci) June 10, 2019

The awards list also recognised those helping the UK prepare for the climate-related impacts. Professor Hannah Cloke from the University of Reading received an received an OBE "for services to flood forecasting and the development of hazard early warning systems". In her role as director of hydrology research, Cloke has focused on uncertainties in modelling flood hazards and developed climate impact assessments of future flood risks.

From the corporate world, Dr Rhian Mari-Thomas, CEO of the newly established Green Finance Initiative, was awarded an OBE "for services to green banking".

Mari-Thomas previously headed Barclay's green banking wing before moving to the City of London Corporation's new body, where she will spearhead London's development as an international green finance hub.

And chief executive at renewable energy non-profit Regen, Merlin Hyman, was awarded an OBE for his contribution to sustainable energy and his work supporting the growth and development of renewable and decentralised energy since 2009.

Meanwhile, Defra's Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Ian Boyd received a Knighthood for his work on climate change, waste management, and marine and polar science

Since joining Defra in 2012, Boyd has chaired the Project Board for the latest projections of the UK's climate, overseen reports on waste and the future of the sea, and advised Ministers on air quality, water quality, bio-security, and disease.

"I am delighted to have been honoured in this way and would like to extend my gratitude to the Queen for this recognition, as well as my teams at Defra and St Andrews who both do such important work," Boyd said in response to receiving the Knighthood.

"Throughout my life I have always tried to do those things I found interesting and that might make a difference and I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve."