The world faces a climate emergency. Humanity must make urgent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to stave off further global heating. In this article, we consider the actions that can be taken by neuroscientists, as individuals and as members of institutions and professional bodies and societies. We discuss flying less, the uncertain merits of carbon offsets, virtual conferencing and how climate justice must apply to questions of travel. We also consider emissions from lab research, and how neuroscientists can shape institutional policy on emissions reductions across myriad aspects of operations, including banking, investment and funding decisions. A radical culture change is needed to address the climate emergency. We encourage neuroscientists to put emissions reductions at the centre of their everyday professional activities.