Search Climate Insights Directory

The document highlights the escalating risk of wildfires in the UK due to climate change, noting the 'total devastation' of 150 hectares in Suffolk and the strain on emergency services. It reports public demand for government investment in renewable energy and climate resilience, while calling for a clear policy direction from the Prime Minister regarding North Sea drilling and nature restoration.

An analysis of 76 election leaflets and several party manifestos from the 2026 local and devolved elections in the UK reveals that explicit mentions of 'climate' were very low, particularly in local leaflets. While manifestos from parties like the SNP and Scottish Greens used climate terminology more frequently, most political communication shifted toward 'climate-adjacent' issues. These include energy affordability, fairness framings regarding the energy transition, and hyper-local concerns such as flooding, transport, and the preservation of green spaces. The report notes a breakdown in cross-party consensus on net zero, evidenced by its absence in the Welsh Conservatives' manifesto and anti-renewable messaging from Reform UK.

The US-Israel invasion of Iran in February 2026 has accelerated the global transition to clean energy as 23 countries announced new measures to reduce fossil fuel vulnerability. Clean energy ETFs have outperformed oil and gas ETFs in early May 2026, with renewable energy funds attracting over USD 3 billion in April 2026. Investor sentiment is shifting, with a rise in those ranking renewables top for one-year returns (14% vs 9% in 2025) and a decline in the perceived necessity of natural gas for the transition, particularly in Asia. While the cost of capital remains significantly higher in emerging markets (12.95%) compared to Europe (5.02%), geopolitical instability is prompting a reassessment of risk premiums in favor of domestic renewables.

The report analyzes the role of renewable energy in shielding Britain from a fossil fuel crisis in March 2026. It finds that new wind and solar capacity reduced gas-fired power generation by 39% compared to 2021, avoiding approximately £7 million in daily gas purchases during the first four weeks of the crisis.

Analysis by Zero Carbon Analytics indicates that consecutive climate extremes in the UK—including the 2022 drought, the 2023/2024 wet winter, and the 2025 drought—have repeatedly driven up farmgate lamb prices. The 2023/2024 wet winter had the most significant impact, increasing prices by an estimated 25%. For the 2.6 million UK households that regularly purchase lamb, these events added up to GBP 168 to their grocery bills. The report highlights a 'climate premium' on traditional Easter lamb roasts since 2023, with price increases ranging from 7% to 21%. The findings suggest that while biological grass systems show some recovery, the market buffer of hay stocks has been progressively depleted, increasing the sensitivity of prices to new climate shocks.

The document translates the ICJ's advisory opinion into practical tools for climate litigation, focusing on the 'stringent due diligence' States must exercise to regulate private actors, particularly in the fossil fuel industry. It highlights that States may be in breach of international obligations if they fail to prevent significant climate harm through the production, licensing, or subsidizing of fossil fuels. The brief also connects these findings to specific case categories, including licensing, duty to regulate, corporate frameworks, accountability for loss and damage, and greenwashing, emphasizing the 1.5°C temperature goal as a legal standard.

The document finds that farming is highly valued in Britain as a crucial part of national identity and food security, with the public viewing farmers as being on the frontline of climate change impacts. It argues that climate policies must be developed in collaboration with farmers to avoid being perceived as punitive, as protecting the food supply and supporting farmers is a top priority for government climate action across all demographic groups.

Air pollution is the second deadliest risk for children under five globally, causing over 709,000 deaths in 2021. Children are more vulnerable due to developing immune systems and higher breathing rates. The burden is heavily skewed by economic disparity, with children in the least-developed countries facing death rates 94 times higher than those in the most-developed nations. The document highlights how structural lock-ins to fossil fuels and polluting land-use practices drive this crisis, noting that less than 1% of fossil fuel subsidies were spent on outdoor air quality between 2018 and 2022. Case studies in South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, and Bangladesh illustrate the specific drivers—such as coal power, biomass burning, brick kilns, and oil extraction—that contribute to high child mortality and lifelong developmental impairments.

The document argues that UK local authorities have a solid legal foundation under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to implement weight- or size-based parking tariffs for SUVs. It highlights that SUVs increase fatality risks for pedestrians and cyclists, contribute more to air pollution via tyre and brake wear, and cause greater road surface damage. To avoid legal challenges, the briefing advises councils that such charges must be justified by traffic management and safety goals rather than revenue generation, and must be supported by robust public consultation.

The report examines how people in Britain perceive the financial impact of climate policies, noting that while many fear costs, few believe scrapping these policies would save them money. It highlights a strong public desire for a 'just transition' where the least well-off are protected and big polluting companies are held accountable. The findings suggest that framing climate action as an investment in a prosperous future is more compelling than technical terminology.

The document finds that while deep distrust in politicians and institutions affects how climate action is perceived, there remains enduring support among Brits for ambitious climate leadership. People value leaders who are credible, passionate, and empathetic, and who prioritize tangible local benefits and global collective action over a reliance on statistics. The report suggests that climate leadership should be grounded in local contexts and delivered by authentic messengers to overcome disillusionment.

Research indicates that while 74% of people in Britain consider climate change important, there is deep distrust in politics and a tendency to avoid the topic due to negative feelings. The report recommends that communicators ditch technical jargon, focus on positive future visions, and avoid overestimating opposition to net zero. For policymakers, it suggests prioritizing local infrastructure that lowers energy bills, accelerating inclusive solar panel roll-out, cracking down on pollution, and investing in genuine local engagement to counter top-down distrust.

The document finds that while 74% of people in Britain consider climate change an important issue, their support for specific actions is heavily influenced by the language used. Framing climate action as 'protecting our environment' (59% support) is more effective than using technical terms like 'net zero' (43% support). There is a strong, unifying connection between climate change and nature, with 'harm to nature and wildlife' being the top concern for 41% of respondents. The report highlights that people across all socio-economic backgrounds are concerned, though many distance themselves from the topic due to immediate life pressures or the depressing nature of the subject. It recommends using tangible, local examples of progress and a holistic approach that links climate action with nature preservation to increase public engagement.

The 2025 Britain Talks Climate & Nature report, based on surveys of over 7,000 people and focus groups in England, Scotland, and Wales, examines public sentiment toward climate change and nature. It utilizes a segmentation model of British society to identify how different values influence perceptions of climate policy. The findings indicate that while there is broad concern for the environment and a preference for ambitious climate action, significant anxiety exists regarding the cost of policies and a lack of trust in institutions. The report argues that support for climate action increases when communication is clear, tangible, and focused on local community benefits.

Europe's June 2025 was its 5th warmest on record, with record-high temperatures in England, France, Italy, and most of Spain, and record-low rainfall in the Balkans. Forecasts for August-September 2025 project temperatures 1-2°C above average across most of Europe, an increase of 1-5 warm days per month, and precipitation deficits of 10-40% in parts of southeastern and southwestern Europe.

A rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution finds that climate change made a June 2025 heatwave in southeast England approximately 2-4°C more intense, increasing the likelihood of such an event from once every 50 years to once every 5 years. The report highlights that early-season heatwaves are particularly dangerous due to a lack of human acclimatisation and that the UK's building stock, designed for heat retention, exacerbates indoor overheating. While the Heatwave Plan for England provides a foundation for response, the Climate Change Committee notes that heat-related policies remain fragmented and lack long-term targets.

The report analyzes the US synthetic nitrogen fertilizer market, which is highly centralized with 71% of capacity held by four producers. It evaluates seven ammonia production pathways, ranging from mature 'blue ammonia' (SMR with CCS) to lab-scale electrochemical and photochemical methods. The document identifies key barriers to green ammonia adoption, including high financing risks, lack of industrial standards, and the absence of long-term offtake agreements from farmers. It highlights state-level incentives in North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Michigan, alongside federal support via the Inflation Reduction Act's 45V clean hydrogen production tax credit, which offers up to $3/kg of hydrogen.

Analysis of U.K. Met Office data from 1970-2024 shows that spring is the fastest-warming season for the U.K. as a whole, all four constituent nations, and all six climate districts in England. While all seasons have warmed by at least 1°C across the four nations, spring temperatures for the U.K. overall increased by 1.8°C, with England experiencing the highest increase at 2°C. This warming contributes to ecological mismatches, such as flowers blooming up to a month earlier, and increases risks to agriculture and human health.

Agricultural methane emissions in the UK reached 996 thousand tonnes in 2021, representing 49% of all UK methane emissions in 2022. While emissions have fallen by 14% since 1990, they have remained constant since 2009. The document identifies enteric emissions from ruminants as the primary source (85%) and manure as the secondary source (15%). It evaluates several mitigation tools, including feed additives like 3-NOP, selective breeding for low methane emissions, anaerobic digesters (AD), and improved manure management. Key recommendations for the UK Government include investing in research for pasture-based feed additives, developing a breeding value for methane efficiency, creating a Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) system for rural anaerobic digesters, and updating the Slurry Infrastructure Grant to specifically target greenhouse gas reductions.

The report finds that while the UK acknowledges the link between climate change and health, practical policy integration is limited by siloed government departments, chronic underfunding, and short-term thinking. It highlights the 'Greener NHS' initiative as a relative success and suggests leveraging the NHS's scale and learning from devolved governments in Wales and Scotland to advance a holistic, systems-thinking approach that prioritises vulnerable populations and emphasises health co-benefits.