Reposted by Will VowellImogen Shaw @imogenshaw.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Baffling to see The Times claim that Burnham “did not mention energy” in his conference speech. Energy was referenced no fewer than 10 times, alongside a major announcement of £4bn for Great British Grid to cut connection delays and bring bills down. Britain's energy challenge was front & centre. 24813
Reposted by Will VowellNationCymru @nation.cymru · 20/08/2026A Welsh firefighter has warned that media coverage risks normalising the growing threat of wildfires after an analysis found almost two-thirds of articles about this summer’s fires failed to mention climate change ✍️Abby Neve wp.me/p8Mk4U-1rw7 0116
Reposted by Will VowellCaroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Two-thirds of UK news articles about wildfires this summer haven’t mentioned climate change - but ignoring it doesn’t make it go away, it just makes averting the worst of it even harder @eciu.netuk.themedialeader.comTwo-thirds of UK news articles about wildfires this summer haven't mentioned climate changeAnalysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit adds to concerns that national newspapers are failing to link this summer's extreme weather to climate change and the net-zero policies necessary to mitigate its drastic effects. 14700248
Reposted by Will VowellThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 17/08/2026The vast majority of UK media reporting on wildfires made no mention of climate change 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 12617
Reposted by Will VowellZack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Two thirds of articles about the wildfires didn't mention climate change. Once again parts of our media are failing at the most basic part of their job - reporting the truth. uk.themedialeader.com/two-thirds-o...uk.themedialeader.comTwo-thirds of UK news articles about wildfires this summer haven't mentioned climate changeAnalysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit adds to concerns that national newspapers are failing to link this summer's extreme weather to climate change and the net-zero policies necessary to mitigate its drastic effects. 491748615
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 17/08/2026We know what the solution is too. IPCC Chair Sir Jim Skea has stated: “It’s chemistry and physics that if you want to stop global warming, you have to achieve net zero emissions.” But - despite some very honourable exceptions - much of the media appears not to be joining up these dots. 010
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 17/08/2026We know what the problem with these wildfires is. A recent @wwattribution.bsky.social study found that climate change made wildfire conditions at least twice as likely in southwestern France and at least 20 times as likely in central Spain. www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-chan...worldweatherattribution.orgClimate change increases likelihood of compounding drivers of severe wildfire conditions in France and Spain – World Weather Attribution 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 17/08/2026The @financialtimes.com and @theguardian.com (both 64%) had the highest percentages of wildfire articles referring to climate change, while the Sun (6%) had the lowest. Less than 3% of all articles mentioning wildfires and climate change also refer to net zero. 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 17/08/2026No wonder firefighters have been sounding the alarm. One @fbunational.bsky.social representative told us: “When media coverage treats wildfires as isolated events rather than part of a worsening climate crisis, it risks making an increasingly dangerous situation look normal.” 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 17/08/2026🔥 📰 From the start of the first heatwave in late May until the end of July, only 1 in 3 articles in UK national newspapers which referred to wildfires also mentioned climate change. New analysis by me for @eciu.net out today in @themedialeader.bsky.social 👇🧵 uk.themedialeader.com/two-thirds-o... 374
Reposted by Will VowellDr Chloe Brimicombe @chlobrim.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Letter @thetimes.com from me based upon @willvowell.bsky.social and @eciu.net research in response to an editorial that was sceptical of mitigating fossil fuel emissions to tackle climate change. I also added about heat-related deaths, a pet peeve is when they are compared to cold! 071
Reposted by Will VowellLeo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 15/08/2026The Times has just published these two reader letters in response to a column by @hugorifkind.bsky.social headlined: "Where are all those climate deniers now?" I just googled them. The first is a "retired consultant in rheumatology" The second is "UK former chief geologist, BP North Sea" 1513538
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026For scientists: the link between net zero and climate change is explicit. For media: the link is disappearing, and the solution is seemingly being divorced from the problem. So does this seminal column by Pilita mark the moment when the media starts to join the dots? 162
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026No wonder the public are confused about what net zero is. Polling last year by Climate Barometer found that 38% of people think it is not essential to reach net zero in order to stop climate change, rising to 68% of Reform UK supporters. 1104
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Research by me and Dr James Painter for @eciu.net earlier this year, cited here by Pilita, found that back in 2018 (a year before the 2050 target became law) 90% of articles mentioning net zero also referred to climate change or a similar term. By 2024, that figure fell to 42%. 142
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026IPCC Chair Sir Jim Skea is crystal clear: “If you want to stop global warming, you must get to net zero carbon emissions." The problem is, with some honourable exceptions as per this @pilitaclark.bsky.social column, most of the UK media isn't being this clear 🧵 giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...giftarticle.ft.comHow to stop global warmingThe answer is obvious to all except the real climate change zealots: the anti-net zero movement 3168
Reposted by Will VowellECIU @eciu.net · 30/07/2026"But we're only 1% of emissions": media in countries collectively emitting 20% of global CO₂ In 200+ national newspapers in 27 countries made claims that because that country accounts for only approx 1% of global emissions, progress in cutting that country’s emissions should be slowed 12613
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/07/2026When the impacts of climate change transcend national borders, it's up to every country to reduce emissions, or else we will all feel the consequences 👇 @drgilbz.bsky.social @chlobrim.bsky.social @theconversation.com theconversation.com/uk-only-cont...theconversation.comUK ‘only’ contributes 1% global emissions – but alongside many other countries, that all adds upIf many countries take the stance that ‘we’re only contributing 1% of global emissions’, responsibility dwindles and action stalls. 010
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Yet even at just 1%, polling from YouGob shows that Brits still want to see emissions reductions. 60% believe countries representing 1% of global CO2 should continue trying to reduce their emissions. ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/EC...ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/07/2026We also found similar claims that “we’re only a small amount of emissions” in Russia🇷🇺, Japan🇯🇵, Indonesia🇮🇩 and Iran🇮🇷, each representing 2-5%. Added to the other 27, and claims of “we’re only 1% or thereabouts" are found in countries totalling 32.3% of global CO2 – more than China🇨🇳, on 31.8%. 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/07/2026We've spotted claims of “we’re only ~1% of global emissions”, suggesting emissions reductions should be slowed, in over 200 articles across 27 countries. These countries together account for more than 21% of global CO2 emissions – that’s more than US 🇺🇸 and India 🇮🇳 combined. 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Yes, the UK represents just under 1% of global CO2 emissions. But so do lots of countries. And guess what – @eciu.net analysis has found media in these countries are all saying exactly the same thing as Allister Heath and Lord Frost in the Telegraph. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.com‘But we’re just 1% of emissions’: do smaller countries’ climate efforts matter?Past and present leaders of wealthy nations such as UK and Germany have argued their actions are insignificant 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Two Telegraph op-eds this week have stated the same fact: the UK accounts for "0.8% of global CO2 emissions"; we can't stop climate change, and others are more responsible. telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026... telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07... Technically true - but here's what this claim misses out 🧵telegraph.co.uk 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 14/07/2026If recent heatwaves are the symptom, then climate change is the illness, and net zero is the medicine. With some very honourable exceptions, some parts of the media appear not to be joining up these dots. eciu.net/media/press-...eciu.netThree in 4 UK newspaper articles on record-breaking heatwave didn’t…Scientists found climate change “unequivocally to blame” for extreme heat 001
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Yet public understanding of net zero, the solution to tackling climate change, remains low. A survey by Keele University last year found nearly 1 in 4 did not understand the term at all. copperconsultancy.com/wp-content/u...copperconsultancy.com 110
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 14/07/2026A recent World Weather Attribution study found that last month's extreme heat would have been virtually impossible without climate change - a heatwave which the Met Office said yesterday led to over 2,000 heat-related deaths. www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...metoffice.gov.ukMore than 2,700 excess deaths estimated in England and Wales during May and June heatwavesClimate change added between 3-4°C to maximum temperatures and is estimated to be responsible for about 42% of the deaths across both heatwaves 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 14/07/2026From June 22-28, barely 1 in 4 national newspaper articles referring to "extreme heat" or "heatwave" also mentioned climate change or a similar term. And just 1 in 25 articles mentioning the heatwave and climate change also refer to net zero, the solution to tackling the problem in the first place. 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Climate change was "unequivocally to blame" for last month's record-breaking heatwave, say scientists - yet that's perhaps not what you'd think from recent media coverage. New @eciu.net analysis in @theguardian.com today looks into media coverage of last month's heatwave 👇 🧵 120
Reposted by Will VowellAkshat Rathi @akshatrathi.bsky.social · 01/07/2026"Claims that because a country accounts for only around 1% of global emissions, progress in cutting that country’s emissions should be slowed have been found to appear in more than 200 articles across national newspapers in 27 countries." eciu.net/media/press-...eciu.net'We're only 1% of emissions' – analysis finds claims in countries…Poll: majority of Brits say countries under 1% of emissions should still take action. 52511
Reposted by Will VowellJames Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Brutal demolition from @eciu.net of the 'we're just one per cent of global emissions - what difference can we make' bullshit. www.businessgreen.com/news-analysi... 44926
Reposted by Will VowellGareth Redmond-King @gredmondking.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Plus some more here from me on why we're not 'JUST' 1%. eciu.net/insights/the...eciu.netThe 1% fallacy: how collective inaction adds upNet zero emissions is the only scientifically-backed solution the world has to halt climate change, yet one flawed argument against net zero just refuses to die: ‘but we’re only 1% of emissions’. 123
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/06/2026As @drgilbz.bsky.social says: “The climate doesn’t care where carbon comes from… we may account for just 1% of current global emissions, but we’re responsible for 100% of our own emissions, and we can show global leadership by bringing them down” 👇 www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.com‘But we’re just 1% of emissions’: do smaller countries’ climate efforts matter?Past and present leaders of wealthy nations such as UK and Germany have argued their actions are insignificant 032
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Even at just 1%, new polling from @yougov.co.uk shows Brits still want to see emissions reductions. 6 in 10 (60%) believe countries representing 1% of global CO2 should continue trying to reduce their emissions. 111
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/06/2026New @eciu.net analysis in @theguardian.com has found claims of “we’re only ~1% of global emissions”, suggesting carbon cuts should be slowed, in over 200 national newspaper articles across 27 countries. Adding in countries at 2-5% making the same claim, and you reach 32% - that’s more than China 🇨🇳 188
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 30/06/2026“The UK only counts for 1% of global emissions, so why should we bother trying to stop climate change?” You hear this a lot from UK media and politicians. But many countries around the world also account for around 1% of emissions. And guess what – they’re all saying exactly the same thing. 🧵 145
Reposted by Will VowellJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Leading climate scientists have written to broadcast editors to express concern about recent UK heatwave coverage "The letter urges news organisations to better inform the public [about the climate crisis]...It argues that news coverage “increasingly overlooks the fundamental ‘why'' of heatwavespressgazette.co.ukClimate scientists say news coverage ignores cause of UK heatwaveConnection between greenhouse emmissions and extreme heat in UK 'indisputable'. 513957
Reposted by Will VowellLeo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 24/06/2026++BREAKING++ Leading climate scientists in the UK have written to senior editors in broadcast media - and OFCOM and IPSO: "To express our concern about recent media coverage of extreme weather, climate change and net-zero and to urge you…to inform public audiences of the scientific links" 451588792
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026This is perhaps worth bearing in mind as suggestions that the Govt is planning to weaken the ZEV mandate even further permeate through UK media over the next few days... 000
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026No wonder a House of Lords report in February 2024 warned of a "concerted campaign of misinformation" in relating to media coverage on electric vehicles: committees.parliament.uk/committee/51...committees.parliament.ukThe UK’s electric vehicle strategy needs a rapid recharge says Lords Committee - Committees - UK ParliamentThe Environment and Climate Change Committee has published its report 'EV strategy: rapid recharge needed'. 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026And six months ago, analysis found over 40 media articles published since the introduction of the ZEV mandate in January 2024 had incorrectly claimed the car industry has missed, or is on track to miss, targets set under the policy. www.businessgreen.com/news/4522703...businessgreen.com'Double standards': Media accused of routinely mispresenting pace of EV roll outMore than 40 UK national media articles have incorrectly reported companies are missing their Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate targets, according to ECIU 120
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026The problem is, media misreporting in relation to electric cars and the ZEV mandate is widespread. Analysis by @eciu.net last year found that 25% of all EV-relevant articles analysed contained at least one misleading statement about electric cars: eciu.net/media/press-...eciu.netNew analysis finds widespread misinformation around EVs in UK…Quarter of all the articles on electric vehicles (EVs) analysed contained at least one misleading statement about electric cars. 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026And a correction notice has been issued too, to clarify to readers that the article has been updated: 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026It's good to see that the BBC piece has been changed to reflect these points: ✅ Fine reduced from £15K to £12K ✅ Low-emission petrol & diesel cars included in flexibilities ✅ Fine is only "potential", since compliance has previously been met through flexibilities 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/20263⃣ Despite hundreds of media articles stating that car manufacturers "face huge fines" for non-compliance of the ZEV mandate, not a single fine has yet been issued. That's because in 2024, and likely 2025, all car manufacturers complied with the mandate. www.am-online.com/news/oems-av...am-online.comDfT confirms no OEM fines under first ZEV mandate yearDfT has published the first ZEV mandate compliance report, showing car and van markets beat 2024 targets and no manufacturers were required to pay fines. 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/20262⃣ In order to achieve compliance with the mandate, credits can be bought from rivals not only for the sale of EVs, *but also low-emission petrol and diesel cars*, as is made clear in the Govt's original ZEV mandate plans: www.gov.uk/government/c...gov.ukZero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate consultation: summary of responses and joint government response 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026This contained multiple inaccuracies: 1⃣ The fine was reduced from £15,000 to *£12,000* in April 2025, following a Govt consultation outcome which provided additional flexibilities to the ZEV mandate: www.gov.uk/government/c...gov.ukPhasing out sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and supporting the ZEV transition: summary of responses and joint government response 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Yesterday's BBC piece originally stated: “Companies that fail to hit the ZEV mandate face a fine ❌ of £15,000 ❌ per car. They also have the option of buying credits from rivals who have sold more electric cars ❌ than they needed to.” 100
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Glad to see the BBC correcting errors in its reporting yesterday about a potential weakening of the ZEV mandate - following a pattern of substantial media misreporting on this issue since its introduction in 2024. Here's what's right - and what's wrong 🧵 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukUK electric car sales target set to be weakenedThe new target hasn't yet been decided, with different numbers under consideration, the BBC understands. 110
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 28/05/2026This polling suggests IPSO’s interpretation in its ruling - that “no coverage” meant “no full news pieces” - is very different to the public’s interpretation, that “no coverage” meant “no coverage at all”. @hackedoff.bsky.social 000
Will Vowell @willvowell.bsky.social · 28/05/2026IPSO said this was ok, because the Times’s sentence meant “no full news pieces”. So we asked YouGov to poll the public on their interpretation. The results: "There was no coverage of Bill Gates’s rethink at all" – 68% "There was some coverage of Bill Gates’s rethink, but no full news pieces" – 11% 100