ClimateCast with Tom Heap

We've seen a trend over recent decades of wetter winters - and this year was no exception.   
  
This winter was in the top 10 wettest for the UK, with the south of England experiencing its wettest February since records began in 1836. Scientists expect this trend to continue as the climate changes.  
  
Farmers are particularly vulnerable to increased rainfall which either prevents them from sowing or destroys the seeds they have been able to plant.   
  
On this episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits Groove Armada musician Andy Cato at his Wiltshire farm to find out how this winter has been challenging for farmers already on wafer-thin margins and what he thinks the solutions could be. 

Producer: Alex Edden 
Editor: Wendy Parker 

Sports Utility Vehicles, the big cars blamed for causing huge damage to the planet, now make up two-thirds of all new car sales. 
 
More commonly known as SUVs, many people are choosing them for their increased comfort and a feeling of safety. 
 
They were originally designed for off-roading in the countryside, but now they are often more of a status symbol.  
 
Their larger size and weight mean they're big polluters, so their growing number is undoing years of progress towards cleaner air. 
 
On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap speaks to the Tyre Extinguishers, climate activists who are notorious in cities around the world for deflating the tyres of SUVs to protest against their pollution. 
 
Plus, hear from AutoTrader's Erin Baker about why so many of us want these bigger cars. 

Producers: Alex Edden and Gemma Watson 
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker 
Editors: Wendy Parker 
 

Climate change has led to storms becoming more extreme and rising sea levels, threatening the future of coastal communities around the UK.

The British Geological Survey suggests up to 1.35 million homes could be at risk by the end of the century without further sea defences.

On this week's ClimateCast with Tom Heap, the team are on the Isle of Wight and in north Norfolk hearing from people who are losing their homes to the sea and from others fighting to protect their properties.

Tom also speaks to those who make the decisions on what should and shouldn't be saved from the sea.

Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce
Location producer: Gemma Watson
Assistant Producer: Evan Dale
Promotion producer: Jonathan Day
Editor: Wendy Parker

The North East of England is famous for its history of coal mining – entire livelihoods were built on powering the country on coal before they were closed at the end of the last century.

But now, the disused coal mines could play a role in powering the future, while doing no harm to the climate.

On this week’s ClimateCast Tom Heap is in Gateshead where they’re using mining infrastructure to heat up water as an energy supply for the future. He visits Beamish Living Museum to speak to the Coal Mining Authority about the how it works and its future potential as an energy source.

Plus, he finds out what difference it could make to energy bills.

Today, something different – we're bringing you the trailer of an exciting new podcast from Sky called Electoral Dysfunction.

Beth Rigby. Jess Philips. Ruth Davidson.

With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.

Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election.

With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you.

Here's the trailer. For more, follow Electoral Dysfunction now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hydrogen sulphide is the smell that comes from a rotten egg. Imagine that seeping out from a mound of rubbish the size of a small hill.

You don't have to imagine it if you go to the Staffordshire town of Silverdale, population 5,700. It's an ever-present threat and a frequent reality.

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits Silverdale to speak to residents campaigning to shut down a landfill that's been haunting them for years.

He talks to protesters in the village, as well as the local doctors' surgery to ask health professionals if they believe the landfill is a risk to health - which operators deny.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Mickey Carroll
Editors: Luke Denne and Philly Beaumont

Solar farms in the UK only account for 0.1% of land – that's less than that of golf courses. But, as the government aims to meet its clean energy targets, more agricultural land is being lost to solar panels.

On this episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits farmer Andrew Dakin, whose family have farmed the same land for 94 years, but now, his landlord is selling up to make room for a solar farm.

Tom speaks to Andrew about how not just his job, but his livelihood is at risk - and Georgia, who grew up nearby and has launched a community campaign to help save the farm.

Plus, Chris Hewitt – Solar Energy UK’s Chief Executive – explains how solar farms are a necessary part of the energy transition and how agriculture will be at risk of climate change without urgent action, including more solar energy.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Gemma Watson
Assistant Producer: Iona Brunker
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Multi-millionaire musician Taylor Swift had two private jets - until she sold one of them just a week before her lawyers sent a cease and desist letter to the creator of social media accounts that log take-offs and landings of planes and helicopters owned by public figures.

So, on this episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits a private jet investors conference in London to find out just how climate un-friendly these jets are, and what the industry says it's going to do about it.
Tom speaks to industry leaders, including Steve Varsano is the founder of The Jet Business, which has a street front corporate aircraft showroom and almost two million TikTok followers.

Plus, Todd Smith, a former airline pilot, now climate activist and Extinction Rebellion spokesperson, shares his experience of trying to make the industry more sustainable.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Luke Denne

On this episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits the home of afternoon tea, Fortnum and Mason, but there's something different about the menu.

Its scotch egg is made from cultivated meat – that's meat grown in a lab.

He speaks to the scientists behind the product to find out how it was made and explores if this could be a solution to our polluting meat and dairy industry - which accounts for 14% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

Cultivated meat is technically not yet legal in the UK - but as pressure mounts to change our diet - could this be the future? And where does that leave farmers?

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Gemma Watson
Editor: Wendy Parker

The government's plan to grant new oil and gas licences every year has passed its latest hurdle in parliament.

The bill's supporters say it will improve energy security, as the UK still relies heavily on fossil fuels. Critics, however, argue it will not cut energy bills and instead will break the UK's promise to phase out fossil fuels.

One of those critics is Chris Skidmore who recently resigned as a Conservative MP over the government's net zero strategy and its decision to boost new oil and gas production.

On this episode of ClimateCast, Mr Skidmore, who led the independent government review into net zero, sits down with Sky's science and technology editor Tom Clarke.

They discuss the reasons behind his decision to quit, the 'culture war' attached to net zero and the realities the UK faces getting there.

Heating accounts for a third of emissions in the UK, meaning we have to ditch our favourite fuel, gas. The Government's alternative? The heat pump.

But despite installations being on the rise, the UK is much behind it's European neighbours on the number of heat pumps being installed each year. So why are we so slow? Is it the price, reluctance to change - or do heat pumps have a bad name?

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap finds out the truth about heat pumps. He debunks some myths, sees one being installed, and meets a customer who recently made the change.

He speaks to Mike Foster from energy and utilities alliance about why he believes heat pumps aren't the only option - as well as Lord Callanan about the misinformation surrounding heat pumps.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse

More than 1,000m underground is one of Britain's deepest mines. But it's not coal they're mining in North Yorkshire. It's a mineral that could help fight climate change.

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap explores the tunnels way beneath the North Sea bed to find out if what lies under the ground can help protect the atmosphere above.

He discovers how miners are extracting polyhalite, a fertiliser that emits 85% less emissions than its counterparts, and learns why a multi-billion pound project is under way to extract more.

Above ground, he's joined by professor of soil erosion and conservation, Jane Rickson from Cranfield University, to discuss the state and significance of the ground beneath our feet.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Philly Beaumont

On this special Christmas episode of ClimateCast Tom Heap is joined by climate and energy analyst, Sepi Golzari-Munro.

They’re joined by a panel of special guests look back over a remarkable year in climate science and politics, as well as look ahead to some reasons to be cheerful in the world of climate going into 2024.

Special guests
Dr Ella Gilbert, Antarctic climate scientist
Dr Friederike Otto, Climatologist specialising in extreme weather
Alastair Campbell, Former director of communications, Blair government
Ed Conway, Sky’s Economics editor

This week COP28 reached a "historic" and "unprecedented" conclusion to "move away from fossil fuels".

While leaders are hailing the agreement a breakthrough, campaigners argue it doesn't go far enough and it should phase out fossil fuels entirely, but how realistic is that ambition?

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap is joined by Sky's economics editor Ed Conway who explains why the answer to our fossil fuel reliance starts with a piece of Lego.

They discuss what happens to fossil fuels now that deal is in place and what a net-zero 2050 might look like, and how we get there.

Tom is also joined by Racquel Moses, CEO of the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, who speaks about the enormous impact the climate deal with have on small island developing states for decades to come.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Shipping our heavy goods around the world is a huge carbon emitter. In the UK, we transport a vast amount via roads which has the same carbon footprint as air travel, buses and domestic shipping combined.

So could we be shipping in a more environmentally friendly way?

On this week’s ClimateCast, Tom Heap boards a freight train to find out how rail freight fits into our net-zero future.He finds out why the cost of electricity means freight operators are running more diesel than electric and what changes are needed to the UK’s infrastructure to slash shipping emissions.

Plus, our climate reporter Victoria Seabrook joins Tom to talk about what’s been happening at COP28 in Dubai this week.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Luke Denne
Editor: Philly Beaumont

The King has urged world leaders assembled in Dubai to make the COP28 climate summit a "critical turning point" in the fight to tackle global warming. And there has already been a breakthrough with wealthy nations contributing nearly $300m to a 'loss and damage' fund compensating poorer countries for the effects of climate change.

It has taken 32 years to agree so while it is an achievement, the real issue remains cutting fossil fuels. In oil-rich Dubai that is a thorny issue. It and other petrostates are still arguing that the world needs fossil fuels while it transitions to greener energy sources.

Climatecast host Tom Heap is in Dubai finding out what COP28 might achieve.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse & Luke Denne
Editor: Wendy Parker

Climate change has long been a divisive topic that is often forced to the bottom of the news agenda, even as the threat of a warming world grows.

Ahead of COP28, the annual UN climate negotiations, Tom Heap is joined by a panel of guests to discuss the challenges of covering climate change.

Political scientist, Sir John Curtice, former Times journalist, Liz Gerard, and video journalist, Zoe Broughton debate how to best encapsulate the public, make climate stories relevant and make audiences care.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Philly Beaumont

The panel all contributed to new book Toxic News? Covering Climate Change which features essays from academics and journalists on the challenges of reporting the subject.

Shipping, in the form of cruises, ferries and even the navy, accounts for around 2% of our emissions that contribute to global warming - just a little less than aviation. The diesel powered vessels also worsens air pollution, the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK.

At Portsmouth Harbour, they're on a mission to tackle both of those things.

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap visits Portsmouth Port who are planning to plug in some of its ships at berth and run them on electricity. He speaks to brains behind the Sea Change project to find out what benefits charging ships could offer Portsmouth and how far the shipping industry has to go to become green.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Gemma Watson
Editor: Wendy Parker

Building new homes often comes at the expense of living space for wildlife. But from 2024, a new law in England means developers will have to make sure their projects deliver 10% more nature. It's called biodiversity net gain.

Conservation groups are "cautiously optimistic", but do local authorities have the resources to maintain, measure and police the uptick in nature?

On ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits a housing development with nature embedded into its foundations as well as a field of barley a few miles from Milton Keynes that's been selected to enjoy natural regeneration as a payback for damage elsewhere.

Plus he speaks to Prue Addison, from Wildlife Trust, about the realities of the new law and the potential impact it could have.

Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Field producer: Mickey Carroll
Editor: Paul Stanworth

This week Wales has joined England and Scotland on waving goodbye to single-use plastics. The decision lends its hand to the 'booming' compostable packaging industry.

But could a packaging that reverts to nature be too good to be true? One UCL study has found that 60% of products advertised as home compostable didn't fully decompose within 12 months - and a lot of consumers don't know which bin they go in.

So are compostables genuinely a good alternative to plastic?

On Sky News ClimateCast Tom Heap visits a compostable packaging manufacturer to find out how it works and where it's best fit for purpose.

He meets researcher Danielle Purkiss who ran the Big Compost Heap study to find out what the challenges with this kind of packaging are and visits online grocer Abel & Cole - who've decided to ditch compostables.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Mickey Carroll
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Just a few years ago, a small village in North Yorkshire became a magnet for protesters who were opposing hydraulic fracturing for gas - also known as fracking.

Now, the organiser of those protests works for the same company he opposed, but it has tapped into a greener energy source.

On this episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap heads to North Yorkshire to meet workers at the firm which has swapped fracking for geothermal heat.

He speaks to the staff who have turned away from fossil fuels, and also to former protesters about their victory and the green energy solution that's on their doorstep.

Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Field producer: Gemma Watson
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Carbon dioxide is the big villain of global warming - the "most wanted" for crimes against the climate that we'd love to lock up.

In Merseyside and North Wales, they're putting a posse together.

It's called HyNet and it's a group of around 40 carbon-intensive industries brought together as a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) cluster.

On this episode, Tom Heap hears how polluting industries plan to capture CO2 before it's released and asks: will carbon capture ever actually become a reality?

Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Field producer: Gemma Watson
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Half of energy is used as heat and, both across the world and here in the UK, most of that comes from fossil fuels.

But a small business in Hampshire thinks that have the solution to store and decarbonise heat - a heat battery. If successful, the breakthrough could eliminate 4% of global carbon emissions.

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap visits the factory producing heat batteries for industry purposes. He speaks to founder James McNaghten about how aluminium and gravel could produce heat, on demand.

Plus he speaks to Dr Iain Staffell, senior lecturer in Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London, about how to scale up the producing of heat batteries and their potential.

Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Field producer: Mickey Carroll

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap is in west London to talk about the quality of the UK's waterways, something that's causing a public and political outcry across the country.

With his waders on, he meets the brains behind water quality monitors handmade by local residents which are helping to monitor pollution in the River Brent, including founder of Clean up the River Brent, Ben Morris.

Plus, he speaks to former punk icon Feargal Sharkey about fears for future water quantity and how much of a factor water will be in the next general election.

Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Field producer: Gemma Watson
Editors: Wendy Parker and Paul Stanworth

Lough Neagh is the UK’s largest lake – and it’s being poisoned by toxic algae.

It’s killing dogs, birds, fish and is dangerous to humans. Campaigners say the “toxic soup” is being used “as a toilet” and although it’s treated, it still provides 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water.

But without a sitting parliament, where do the people of Northern Ireland turn?

On this episode of Sky News ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits Lough Neagh to see the damage and speak to campaigners and locals outraged by the problem. Plus, he visits the Agri-Food and Biosciences institute which could have a solution to the problem.

Producers: Mickey Carroll and Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editors: Luke Denne and Wendy Parker

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap goes wild camping on Dartmoor and discovers why people think it’s so devoid of wildlife.

Dubbed 'the place nature goes to die' Dartmoor has been criticised for overgrazing and not enhancing nature.

So what is the solution to protecting nature while still enjoying our national parks?

With a tent on his back, Tom Heap speaks to the chief executive of Dartmoor Park, a local farmer and environmental campaigner about how we strike the balance.

Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Climate producer: Gemma Watson
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Sky News and Global Fishing Watch have discovered many of the UK's marine conservation zones and marine protected areas are often protected in name only. Since January 2022, tens of thousands of hours of damaging fishing practices like dredging and bottom trawling have taken place in the so-called protected zones.

Although damaging to our ocean's havens, the practices aren't illegal. So how can we allow commercial fishing to continue while allowing our seabeds to recover and thrive?

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap is in Bognor Regis to speak to fourth-generation fisherman, Clive Mills, who has returned to his fishing boat after being pushed out because of a lack of supply. Twenty years on, he's pledged to only fish sustainably and is encouraging others to do the same.

Plus, we look at the state of fishing in our waters internationally with Jack Clarke from the Marine Conservation Society.

Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Climate producer: Mickey Carroll
Editors: Paul Stanworth and Wendy

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap has exclusive access to Zero Petroleum, a producer of synthetic fuel.

He catches a glimpse of a jet engine powered by e-fuel and speaks to the chemists about how they create an almost zero carbon fuel, without any oil and gas, made from only air and water.

Tom meets Zero's creator Paddy Lowe, previously a Formula 1 engineer, to understand its possible role in the future of energy.

Plus, Colin Walker, transport lead at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, shares how he thinks synthetic fuel compares with the electrification of transport.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap is cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

The food we eat is responsible for around a third of our emissions, so making diets greener couldn't be more essential to fight climate change. So how can consumers be nudged to make a change?

Tom visits Sky's kitchen where they are labelling the carbon intensity of each dish alongside the menu they serve to their 30,000 employees. He also gets a tour of a restaurant without a bin. The zero waste establishment upcycles and re-uses almost absolutely everything.

Podcast prodcer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Assistant producers: Alex Edden and Soila Apparicio
Podcast promotions producer: Jim Farthing
Editors: Wendy Parker and Paul Stanworth

It's been a week of wild weather around the world, with extreme heat in North America, China and in Southern Europe. Some parts of the US and China have exceeded 50C - while parts of Southern Europe face temperatures in the mid-40s.

Temperatures like these are expected to become common during summer months due to our warming climate - but what does 50C heat do to the human body? And can we adapt?

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap speaks to science correspondent Thomas Moore who has spent time as a 'guinea pig' in a 50C heat chamber to measure how his body reacted. They're joined by Dr Anna Moore who specialises in how heat impacts the human body and explains why the climate crisis is also a health crisis.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

For people living in Lawrence Weston near Bristol, having England's tallest onshore wind turbine on their doorstep isn't just about the environment.

They believe it will bring more than £100,000 a year back into the community and help fight poverty and climate change together. But can community energy bring Britain to net zero?

On this week's ClimateCast, host Tom Heap speaks to people in Lawrence Weston about their energy project, including Mark Pepper, community manager at 'Ambition Lawrence Weston', who talks about the funding behind the turbine and how any money made will be invested into regenerating the local area.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Paul Stanworth

The biggest fleet of Hydrogen buses in Europe have hit the roads in Crawley as operators bet big on Hydrogen fuel, rather than electric batteries.

They're more expensive to produce than electric vehicles and refuelling stations are few and far between, but can Hydrogen transport help us on the road to net zero?

On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap boards a Hydrogen bus to explore how it's improving air quality in Surrey, and he explores if Hydrogen can be used to decarbonise other heavy road transport with David Cebon, director of the Centre for Sustainable Freight at Cambridge University and Helena Bennett from climate policy thinktank Green Alliance.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap sets off on a voyage to find out how artificial intelligence might offer invaluable insights into the lives of vulnerable seabirds, in particular, puffins.

He travels to the Isle of May off the coast of Scotland, which is home to 46,000 breeding pairs of puffins, plenty of other sea birds, four human researchers and now two surveillance cameras backed by AI.

There he speaks to Musidora Jorgensen, chief sustainability officer at Microsoft UK, and Martin O'Neil, project manager at SSE, who developed the system which is learning to identify individual birds using facial recognition.

Plus, James Clifton, the co-founder of Cultivo, sheds light on how AI is being used more widely for environmental regeneration.

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Rosie Gillot
Editor: Luke Denne

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BONUS INTERVIEW

But there's more climate news this week...

Back in Westminster, environment minister Zac Goldsmith has resigned, accusing Rishi Sunak of being "uninterested" in climate change - which the prime minister denies.

Tom Heap unpicks his stinging resignation letter and speaks to Chris Stark, chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, about if the UK has regressed on climate commitments.

Sales of electric vehicles more than doubled worldwide in 2022 and there are now more than 750,000 electric cars on the UK’s roads. But plenty of people still have concerns about making the switch.


ClimateCast host Tom Heap has had his electric car for more than a year and wants to know why more people who can afford them, aren’t buying them.


He talks to car enthusiast Jason Bird about his reasons for not giving up his gas guzzler for an electric version. Plus, Erin Baker, editorial director for Auto Trader on the wider issues.

Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer
Luke Denne – editor

Campaigners opposed to oil and gas exploration sites in Surrey have taken their fight to court - but what happens next could have much wider impacts on the oil and gas industry.

On this week's ClimateCast, host Tom Heap speaks to Sarah Godwin, from Protect Dunsfold, and Lisa Scott-Conte, who lives near a site in Horse Hill.

This case is due before Supreme Court judges next week who will decide if greenhouse gas emissions should be considered before planning applications are approved by authorities.

Tom also speaks to Charles McAllister from UK Onshore Oil and Gas - the industry’s trade association – and MP Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for energy security and net zero.

Senior producer: Annie Joyce
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Ffos-y-Fran in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil has been extracting coal for more than 15 years, but it isn’t supposed to be operating now.

Its permission to mine ran out last September. So, ClimateCast host Tom Heap and the team travelled there to find out why it’s still in action, what’s happening to the coal, and when operations will stop.

On this episode Tom speaks to Chris and Alyson Austin, who live near the coal mine, steam train enthusiast Steve Oates, who is chief executive of the Heritage Railway Association, and Delyth Jewell, a Plaid Cymru Senedd member for South Wales East and the party’s climate spokesperson.

Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer
Amy Lakin – junior podcast producer
Philly Beaumont - editor

Once in a state of seemingly terminal decline after the explosion of budget flights, Europe’s night trains are having a moment.

Fuelled by a demand for greener travel options, new routes are now once again snaking across the continent – including the sleeper from Brussels to Berlin that Sky News ClimateCast presenter Tom Heap finds himself on.

In this episode, Tom speaks to Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission’s transport spokesperson, about how sleeper trains fit with the EU’s green ambitions, and to a man invested in the success of this mode of transport - Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper.

Producer: Soila Apparicio
Editor: Paul Stanworth

To mark World Bee Day - Tom Heap puts on his beesuit to visit some of London’s beekeepers.

There are more than 250 species of bees in the UK which are crucial to our wildlife, biodiversity and food production.

But warnings they might be in peril has triggered a 21st century boom in beekeeping - which now could be causing wild species to decline.

On this week’s episode Tom speaks to keepers reducing their hive numbers to protect wild pollinators and researchers at Kew Garden about why bees are so crucial to our climate and what we can do to protect them.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

On this episode of ClimateCast Tom Heap is in Cambridgeshire to visit a village that's become an unexpected frontrunner in a new solution for heating homes.

Fifteen homes in the village, soon to be 300, have switched from oil heating to a climate friendly district heating network. There, Tom sees the new £12 million energy centre in action. But what is district heating and how much of a role does it play in the UK's low carbon heating mix?

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editors: Paul Stanworth and Philly Beaumont

From huge scale marches to disrupting sports events, sitting in the roads or even letting your tyres down... is climate activism getting increasingly effective? Or just increasingly annoying?

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap is on the streets of London for "The Big One" - four days of climate demonstrations to mark Earth Day. He speaks to climate activists pledging to "step up" their disruptive actions if the government refuses to meet their demand on halting approvals for new oil and gas projects.

But with the methods of some groups proving ever more controversial, Tom explores if climate activism is growing more effective - or turning the public against the protestors and setting the cause back.

On Thursday, the government revealed a flurry of climate and energy announcements dubbed as "Green Day". Nearly 3,000 pages of work outlined their plans to improve energy security and deliver on their net-zero climate commitments.

On this episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap is joined by Sky's climate change and energy correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter to break down what the plans are and its shortcomings.

They also unpack an interview with Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps, who defended the government's net-zero plans. Plus, Tom speaks to Chris Skidmore MP, who wrote a critical review of the government's approach to net-zero, about why he believes the plans amount to missed opportunities.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanoworth

This week the UN released a comprehensive scientific report offering humanity a ‘final warning’ to avoid climate catastrophe – but it barely got any coverage. So what is it about bleak climate assessments that can cause people to switch off?

On this week's episode of Sky News' ClimateCast, Tom Heap asks psychologist Dr Sander van der Linden why our brains struggle to process news that scares people and speaks to comedian Tom Walker, AKA Jonathan Pie, about using humour to get the point across. Plus, social media content creator Venetia La Manna explains what made her change from a fast-fashion addict to a fair fashion campaigner.

Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott
Editor: Paul Stanworth

National Highways, the government agency responsible for England's main roads, has admitted that more than half a million trees beside a single 21-mile stretch of new carriageway have died – with the cost of replanting them now £2.9 million pounds.

Many tree experts say this is symptomatic of a focus on tree planting over tree care.

On this week’s Sky News ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon where we speak to Lib Dem councillors Edna Murphy, Ros Hathorn and Firouz Thompson about what’s happened. Plus, tree surgeon Mike Downs on why it’s a much bigger issue, and former chief project officer at the Woodland Trust, Carol Honeybun Kelly, talks about solutions to help trees settle, survive and thrive.

Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer
Paul Stanworth – editor

In a corner of Ellesmere Port, Chester, 2,000 residents received flyers through their door informing them they will be cut off from conventional natural gas and plumbed into hydrogen - in the world’s first trial of its kind.

It's part of the UK's efforts to decarbonise the power system by 2035 - but some of the residents aren't happy.

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits the 'Hydrogen Village' to get a sense of how locals feel about the trial. He's also joined by experts on both sides of the debate to ask whether hydrogen has a place in the home. Plus David Joffe, Head of Net Zero at the Climate Change Committee, joins Tom to talk about plans to decarbonise by 2035 and how far we have to go.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Philly Beaumont

On this week's episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap heads to Aberdeenshire to enjoy some local peated whisky - but what actually is peat and why are its uses so controversial?

Peatlands, also known as bogs, are key in the UK's fight against climate change. Their spongy soil stores vast amounts of carbon and are a haven for biodiversity - but their commercial benefits are endless too from heating homes to flavouring famous Scottish whisky.

As Scotland contemplates banning the digging and burning of peat, Tom hikes across some of the country's bogs to discover their wonders. He also visits a family run business who've been selling peat to locals for generations as well as a distillery who say they can restore more peat than they use for their tipple.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editors: Paul Stanworth and Philly Beaumont

On this week's episode of ClimateCast, Tom Heap gets exclusive access to London's super sewer, the solution to the Thames's poo problem.

London's iconic river is one of thousands up and down the country subject to raw sewage flowing into the water whenever there's rain, causing problems for the natural environment as well as the people who enjoy it.

Tom visits the riverside to assess just how big the problem at hand is. He's also joined by Alastair Chisholm from the Chartered Institute of Water Environmental Management, to ask who is going to pay to clean up UK waters.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Car is king in many of our neighbourhoods, but heavy congestion and air pollution has led to some local councils rethinking the layouts of town and city centres, including reducing where cars can go.

In Oxford the idea has sparked controversy after the council’s plan to install traffic filters on some roads means some people could be fined for driving into other neighbourhoods.

Meanwhile, Ghent in Belgium has implemented an 'active city' scheme, transforming roads into cycle lanes and redeveloping a car park back into a river, improving public transport efficiency and encouraging people to get on their bikes.

ClimateCast host Tom Heap explores both cities to investigate the pros and cons of the changes.

Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio
Climate Output Producer: Gemma Watson
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Climate-friendly energy sources such as wind and solar rely on the weather playing ball, and when it doesn’t, the UK is forced to fire up costly and polluting gas to prevent blackouts.

But in Merseyside, a facility of massive batteries are on a mission to solve that problem.

On this week's episode Tom Heap checks out nightlife in Liverpool - not to let loose, but to learn why massive batteries could keep the lights on when demand is high and renewable power generation is low.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editors: Paul Stanwoth and Philly Beaumont

On this week's episode of ClimateCast with Tom Heap, we're talking about land, and how our demands of it have exploded.

We don’t have much spare in the UK – we need to grow food, nurture wildlife, house a growing population, and now, with a focus on climate change, create green energy, including solar farms.

This week Tom Heap visits Oxfordshire, to a site that could become the UK's largest solar farm. He speaks to those for and against the development as well as also visiting a neighbouring solar farm, which does more than just generate electricity.

Plus in the studio he's joined by Lydia Collas, from the Green Alliance, who explains how the UK needs to take a multi-functional approach to land use if it wants to reach net-zero.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

On this week's ClimateCast, we're talking rubbish.

Tom Heap visits a historic landfill which was supposed to be buried beneath ground, but due to climate change and coastal erosion, the waste from our past is "coming back to terrorise us" by polluting our coastlines and water.

He speaks to mudlark Monika Buttling-Smith about searching for treasure in the Thames and the importance of conserving our history - but the right parts of it. Just miles away AJ McConville of Thames21, who work with communities to improve waterways in London, shows Tom how a historic landfill in Tilbury is being churned up due to coastal erosion.

But could there be a cost-effective solution to the "zombie rubbish"? Tom asks Andrew Jenkins, founder of Ecological Landfill Mining and Recycling.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Six months ago, the UK experienced its hottest day on record. As a result a village in Essex, on the outskirts of London, caught fire, destroying dozens of homes.

On this edition of ClimateCast Tom Heap returns to the village ravaged by flames to meet the residents who lost their homes. He speaks to Robbie and Dave who own the last remaining cottage of a now demolished cluster. They tell him about the hardships extreme weather has caused them and their neighbours.

Plus chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, Chris Stark, joins Tom to explain what the UK needs to do to adapt to a more threatening climate.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

On this week's ClimateCast, Tom Heap heads into the rainforest - but he didn't have to travel far. In Dartmoor, Devon, he explores a temperate rainforest dripping with a rare and lively ecosystem that only exists in regions without extreme temperatures.

The rainforests are once thought to have made up 20% of Britain, but centuries of deforestation means there are just little pockets left.

Joining Tom in the "green cathedral" to discuss how these fragments of forest could be saved and why they're so important to preventing climate change is author and environmental campaigner Guy Shrubsole and Dr Debbie Hemming, scientific manager of vegetation-climate interactions at the Met Office.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Floods, droughts and extreme weather have been some of the biggest and most important climate stories of the year.

On Sky News ClimateCast, Tom Heap and our climate change and energy correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter break-down the past 12 months and the stories they've covered, and look ahead to 2023.

Producer: Soila Apparicio
Editor: Paul Stanworth

On this episode of ClimateCast it's all about nature. This week UN General Secretary Antonio Guettres said "we are treating nature like a toilet" addressing the once in a decade summit where governments from across the world try and agree ways to stop the loss of nature across the planet - and even restore it.

It's not just about protecting the Amazon, it matters here in the UK too. In this episode, Tom Heap is in Befordshire to explore ways the UK can rebuild its natural world decimated by decades of intensive farming and industry.

Rewilding is a growing solution - but some farmers say the practice damages food supply. Tom Heap examines the pros and cons and finds out how the UK can restore biodiversity to its countryside.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Hydrogen could be a vital bridge in the transition to renewables, but is there enough investment and commitment at a government level?

On Sky News ClimateCast, Tom Heap is at the UK Hydrogen Summit exploring how it could be used, and he is joined by the director of created hydrogen technology company FusionBlu, Fred Davey.

Tom also discusses the opportunities and challenges in using hydrogen with Clare Jackson, chief executive of Hydrogen UK, and Michael Liebreich, who provides advisory services and speaks on clean energy.

Producers: Soila Apparicio and Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

A Sky News Climate Show investigation has discovered businesses - and even some households - are switching from mains power to generating electricity from diesel because of soaring energy bills.

This comes at a big environmental cost, while a switch to renewable energy still seems out of reach to many consumers.

So how can we drive our bills down without burning more fossil fuels?

On Sky News ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits an Oxfordshire butcher who says he was forced to switch to a diesel generator to keep the family business afloat. Plus, Michael Grubb, professor of energy and climate change policy at University College London, shares ideas on how to kickstart the renewable revolution while driving down the cost of energy.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews producer: Alys Bowen
Editor: Paul Stanworth

This week, ClimateCast is in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt where COP27 is reaching crunch time. Tom Heap looks at what the complications are around a potential deal on "loss and damage". A deal would see developed nations compensating developing countries for catastrophic climate events. It would be the first deal of its kind, but the details still need thrashing out.

Tom speaks to leader of The Elders and former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson on what loss and damage means, what developing countries are asking for and what it would look like for indigenous communities. Plus he's also joined by Nigel Topping – who was appointed as a "climate action champion".

Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Alys Bowen
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Sky News ClimateCast returns with climate journalist and broadcaster, Tom Heap. This week, Tom looks at the big stories from the COP27 summit in Egypt where Rishi Sunak promised continued support, but no extra UK funding, for conserving forests around the world.

A group of 25 countries said they’d hold each other accountable to stick to a pledge to end deforestation by the end of the decade.

Although not part of that group, Brazil’s incoming president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva did attend COP to discuss new ways of protecting forests with world leaders.

Tom is joined by Dr Alexander Lees, Senior Lecturer in Tropical Ecology at Manchester Metropolitan University, who has worked on Amazon conservation issues for 20 years. They discuss potential “new hope” for the lungs of the planet, whether that international deadline can be met and how choices closer to home can impact the scale of deforestation.

Podcast producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse, Soila Apparicio, Anne Marie Bullock
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Carolyn Cobbold has been fighting to save the West Sussex coast from coastal erosion for almost two decades. After a mighty campaign, she oversaw Europe’s largest coastal realignment scheme.

But as average temperatures keep rising can Britain continue to preserve its other coastlines and the low-lying towns behind them?

On Sky News ClimateCast Leah Boleto is joined by environmental journalist and presenter of Sky’s weekly climate show, Tom Heap, to discuss the impact of coastal erosion and how this example of people power has helped the fight against climate change.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews producer: Madeleine Drury
Editor: Paul Stanworth

The government is cracking down on climate protesters and their "guerrilla-style" tactics by introducing a new Public Order Bill. So how will the climate movement be affected?

On Sky News ClimateCast, host Leah Boleto speaks to two climate activists with very different views on how to make people care about the climate emergency. Plus David Mercer, our home affairs reporter, has been speaking to an anonymous climate group deflating tyres across the country.

Host: Leah Boleto
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Digital producer: Casey Magloire
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Scorching conditions in parts of India and Pakistan have left people struggling to breathe as they battle record-breaking temperatures, outside of the heatwave season.

On Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Leah Boleto and Katerina Vittozzi are joined by Kalpana Pradhan, a journalist in Kolkata, and Ulka Kelkar, director of climate at the World Resources Institute in India, to discuss how the country can adapt to a warming climate.

Hosts: Leah Boleto and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews Producer: Alys Bowen
Editors: Philly Beaumont, Piers Scholfield

Tensions between Europe and the Kremlin have escalated after Russia cut its gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria. As European countries scramble to look for alternative energy supplies, could we be forced to step away from our climate ambitions in the short term?

On this edition of Sky News ClimateCast, host Samantha Washington speaks to climate correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter, who is in Germany, the European country most reliant on Russian fossil fuels. Plus, could the UK start burning more coal? We speak to Cumbria reporter Jacob Colley about the Whitehaven coal mine proposal that could be given the green light.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editors: Paul Stanworth, Philly Beaumont and Piers Scholfield

The UK government has released its new energy strategy - which set out its aims to expand where we get our energy from. But critics say there are missed opportunities for renewable energy, and insulating our homes.

On Sky News ClimateCast, Anna Jones is joined by our science correspondent Thomas Moore, to guide us through the detail of the strategy and to discuss this week’s IPCC report on global warming.

Plus guests Jean-Francois Mercure, associate professor in climate change policy at the University of Exeter, Sepi Golzari-Munro, deputy director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, and Heleen de Coninck, professor of socio-technical innovation and climate change at Eindhoven University of Technology.

Host: Anna Jones
Producer: Soila Apparicio
Interview Producers: Reece Denton, Rosie Gillott, Emma Rae Woodhouse
Editor: Paul Stanworth

The energy cap has increased meaning the typical annual energy bill will cost hundreds of pounds more, with another rise due in October.

On Sky News Climatecast, Anna Jones is joined by Sky News' science and technology editor Tom Clarke and Energy Shop chief executive Scott Byrom to discuss where we get our energy from, how that's changing and what impact it might have on the price we have to pay. Plus we speak to Karen Isaac who has been struggling to heat her home due to the spike in bills.

Host: Anna Jones
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews producer: Reece Denton
Editors: Paul Stanworth, Piers Scholfield

In a move designed to punish Vladimir Putin's regime following the invasion of Ukraine, the US has banned Russian oil and gas imports, the UK will cut oil imports by the end of the year, and the EU will reduce its dependency by the end of the decade. But what impact could this have on the environment, business and our household bills?

On the Sky News Daily Podcast, ClimateCast hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi take over to find out what wider impacts the latest sanctions on Russia will have.

Daily podcast team:
Editor - Paul Stanworth
Editor – Philly Beaumont
Senior podcast producer - Annie Joyce
Podcast producer – Emma Rae Woodhouse, Rosie Gillott & Soila Apparicio
Junior podcast producer – Aishah Rahman
Interviews producer – Reece Denton
Digital producer - David Chipakupaku
Archive - Simon Windsor, Nelly Stefanova, Rob Fellowes
Music - Steven Wheeler

The second part of the UN’s international study on the effects of climate change warns of ‘increasingly irreversible’ impacts on land and at sea.

On this week's Sky News ClimateCast hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi speak to one of the lead authors - Dr Helen Adams, to discuss if adaptation can protect humanity from the impacts of climate change.

Plus, more on Katerina's trip to South Asia where she spoke to dozens of people living on the frontline of climate change in coastal regions and cities in India.

Hosts: Katerina Vittozzi and Anna Jones
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Contributors: Dr Helen Adams, Lead IPCC report author and Senior Lecturer in Climate Change Adaptation, Kings College London

It’s the day of the latest report from the United Nations on the climate crisis. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warns of “irreversible” effects of global warming but says there is still some time to prevent the very worst.

Experts from dozens of countries say some of the damage is on a bigger scale than they’d thought before.

The report also looks at how nations should adapt as the most vulnerable who’ve polluted the least will face the worst effects.

On this extra Climatecast, Katerina Vittozzi talks to Sky News’ Science and Technology Editor Tom Clarke about the report’s headlines and what, it says, can still be done.

Host: Katerina Vittozzi
Contributors: Tom Clarke, Science and Technology Editor
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse

Non-fungible tokens have become big business in the cryptocurrency world. But NFTs and the ecosystems used to create them can be hugely energy consuming, and therefore, bad for the climate. Is it a problem we need to worry about?

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, Anna Jones is joined by our climate correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter, artist Joanie Lemercier, and Johannes Sedlmeir, a researcher in electricity use in blockchain technology at the University of Bayreuth.

Editor: Paul Stanworth
Producer: Soila Apparicio

The music industry is back in full swing after the COVID-19 pandemic, but as music venues heat up - so too does our planet.

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi turn up the music. From gigs, festivals, concerts, tours and everything in between, they find out about the environmental footprint of the music industry - and what needs to change.

They're joined by Professor of Climate and Energy policy Carly McLachlan, who recently led a study commissioned by Massive Attack, exploring the impact of the music business on carbon emissions.

Plus Adam Gardener, founder of Reverb - who works with artists such as Harry Styles, Billie Eilish & Maroon 5 - explains how we can reconcile the world of rock'n'roll with acting environmentally friendly, and help tackle the climate crisis.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews Producer: Tatiana Alderson
Music: Guster
Guests: Carly McLachlan, professor of climate & energy policy at the Tyndall Centre For Climate Change Research and Adam Gardner, Guitarist and Vocalist & Co-Founder of Reverb.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games are powered entirely by renewable energy but does that mean they are 100% sustainable?

Melted mountains, 100% artificial snow and slopes in the shadows of power plants have highlighted the difficulties of putting on a “Green Games”. So how sustainable are winter sports and is their future on a slippery slope?

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi explore how we can protect the Winter Olympics from climate change with three-time Olympian and halfpipe snowboarder Lesley McKenna, Founder of Sport Ecology Madeleine Orr and Sky's China correspondent Tom Cheshire.

Plus, fossil fuel companies profit from the energy crisis, Madagascar is hit by another deadly storm, and climate change meets the Oscars in this week’s climate news.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Guests: Tom Cheshire, Sky Correspondent
Madeleine Orr, Founder of Sport Ecology
Lesley McKenna, Three-time GB Olympian in snowboard halfpipe and Protect Our Winters Ambassador

On this episode of Sky News ClimateCast, the climate scientist who Leonardo Dicaprio credits with inspiring his character in the Netflix hit "Don't Look Up,” Professor Michael E. Mann.

It's as hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi explore the impact of cli-fi, aka climate-fiction - including whether climate change storylines could help audiences engage with the climate crisis and even encourage people to take climate action.

They also speak to renowned film and TV producer Naren Shankar who worked on Star Trek, CSI and more recently the Amazon series The Expanse - where Earth has been decimated by “climate catastrophe.” They discuss the thinking behind producer's climate change narratives.

And - from energy bills and new oil fields, to flood costs and baby koalas - there's plenty of climate news to go around.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Guests: Naren Shankar, Executive Producer, Amazon's The Expanse
Professor Michael E. Mann, Climate Scientist
Carys Taylor, Director, Albert BAFTA

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi explore whether our workforce, businesses and economy are prepared for the biggest economic change since the industrial revolution: the green revolution.

They speak to guests formerly in high-carbon careers about how they made a change to a low-carbon role, including a pilot turned XR activist and former oil and gas engineer who now runs the world's largest offshore windfarm.

Plus, “don't cry over spilt milk” and “make hay while the sun shines.” Advice from a green business investor looking to arrest climate change and seize the green momentum.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Guests: Todd Smith, Safe Landing
Jane Fear, Pointless Plants
Suzanna Bryant, National Grid
Nader Beltaji, RWE
Steve Wilson, SSE
Nick Lythe, Green Angel Syndicate

More than 40 towns and cities in the UK have unsafe air pollution levels, according to the World Health Organisation. Not just a problem for our climate, but for public health too.

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast Katerina Vittozzi takes Anna Jones on a trip around Greater Manchester.

It comes as the region's leaders ask the government to pause and review parts of the Clean Air Zone plan. Katerina explores why, as she visits Shepherdess Jade Hutchinson (and her sheep) who has been protesting against the zone.

12-year-old Maksim however, says air pollution is hindering his asthma and the clean air zone is needed now more than ever.

So, can Manchester and other cities make the green transition without damaging livelihoods? We ask Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse

Famous for its cars and beer - Germany is one of the most successful economies in the world, but can it call itself a climate leader?

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi explore Germany's complicated relationship with climate change with our Europe correspondent Adam Parsons.

From leading a renewables revolution to phasing out nuclear and relying on coal - not to mention being sued by climate activists- has the sun set on Germany's climate ambitions? We ask the activist dubbed "Germany's Greta" Luisa Neubauer.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews producer: Alys Bowen
Guests: Adam Parsons, Luisa Neubauer, Daniel Koller

The climate change alarm bells rang louder than ever in 2021, with the consequences of a warming planet landing at the doorstep of millions of people. So can we turn the tide on climate change in 2022?

Hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi welcome in the new year with some climate-friendly resolutions. They're joined by Sky's climate correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter to look at what's on the climate agenda this year in the UK and across the globe: the political will for change, a changing energy mix and innovative adaptation.

But, as the world gets to grip with another wave of covid cases and soaring energy prices, will climate action be forced to take a back seat? And at what cost? We ask the founder of Good Energy, Juliet Davenport.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse

It's the final episode of Sky News ClimateCast for 2021 and to celebrate, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi get stuck into some jam-packed festive fun as they swap white Christmas for green.

As new research reveals more people than ever before are trying to be more sustainable this Christmas, the pair explore ways to reduce their carbon footprint during the holiday season.

Anna challenges Katerina to Christmas Dinner quiz to guess the most eco-friendly items around the table and Santa's older brother, Green Santa is in town. He's encouraging children to make a wish for the planet this year.

Anna and Katerina hear from some of those children, as well as the mastermind behind the idea, Dr Laura Kehoe, an environmental scientist at the University of Oxford.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Guests: Kate Norgrove, Executive Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, WWF-UK
William Sankey, The Good Shopping Guide
Dr Laura Kehoe, environmental scientist, University of Oxford

After an autumn affected by supply chain issues, we’re looking at how much of the disruption was influenced by climate change - and how likely it is that the climate will cause future interruptions to supply of our favourite goods.

Plus - we explore how much our consumer habits have increased the pressure on supply chains and how that contributes to carbon emissions.

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, host Anna Jones speaks to our business correspondent Paul Kelso, maple syrup producer Bill Hubbert, and Giulio Berruti, director of climate at Business for Social Responsibility.

ClimateCast team:
Presenter - Anna Jones
Podcast Producer - Soila Apparicio
Podcast Producer - Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews Producer - Alys Bowen
Archive Researcher - Nelly Stefanova
Assistant Editor - Piers Scholfield

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions now simply isn't enough to turn back time and prevent the impacts of climate change. For many people, its impacts are being felt right now, and the world needs to adapt to a warming planet.

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, host Anna Jones speaks to Tricia Thorpe, a resident of Lytton in Canada, a small town that has been devastated by both wildfires and floods in the space of six months. She's building a net-zero house in the hope she can protect her family from whatever climate change throws at her next.

Meanwhile in Uganda, Noah Ssempijja is teaching communities across the country to farm sustainably for the benefit of both the planet and their crop yields. He tells us how he's learned to adapt to the extreme weather he’s experienced.

So, are we doing enough to adapt to climate change? We ask climate scientist Dr Xi Hu from the University of Oxford.

Climate change will inevitably big a huge part of our children’s future, so how do we teach them about it, while still protecting their innocence?

On this week’s episode of Sky News ClimateCast, host Sarah Hewson has a helping hand from her children, who share their perspectives of the climate crisis.

She’s joined by our science and technology editor Tom Clarke, also a dad-of-three, as they discuss how they handle climate conversations over the dinner table.

Plus, the activist who heads up “Teach the Future,” Scarlett Westbrook tells us how she’s on her way to changing the school education system to have climate change embedded into the curriculum.

Matthew Shribman, a scientist and headteacher at AimHi, tells us how we can make climate change knowledge accessible and engaging for everybody, and empower future generations with the tools they need to face the climate crisis.

Host: Sarah Hewson with help from Freya, Ollie and Jack
Guests: Tom Clarke, Science and Technology Editor
Scarlett Westbrook, youth climate activist
Lucia Manville, school teacher
Matthew Shribane, co-founder AimHi
Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse

As the dust settles after the COP26 summit, it's time to examine how far we've come.

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast Ashna Hurynag explores the effectiveness of COP26 and examines whether we can deem the “Glasgow Climate Pact” a success.

She asks science correspondent Thomas Moore if it’s left us any closer to solving the climate crisis.

Veteran environmental campaigner George Monbiot makes his ClimateCast debut with a call to arms. Though he calls Glasgow (and 24.5 other COPs) a failure, he sees hope for the future in the ever growing climate activist movement.

And Sepi Golzari-Munro leaves us on a high by highlighting the progress made in Glasgow. The world needs to do more, she says, but with political will, it’s possible.

Ashna Hurynag cancels her train home from Glasgow as COP26 goes into overtime.

She's up at the crack of dawn with a spring in her step, but as the day gets longer and longer, her hopes (and mood) dwindles.

Did someone say coffee?!

It's the final day of COP26... but is it? Negotiations are continuing right through into the night and into the weekend... it's getting tense!

Ashna Hurynag hears all the latest reaction from COP26 attendees - lots of whom stage a huge protest over the latest draft agreement.

Plus... it's been a tough, memorable but incredibly enjoyable two weeks - Ashna and producer Emma Rae share their personal highs and lows from the 26th Conference of the Parties in Glasgow.

It's crunch time at COP26, as negotiations reach the final 24 hours. Ashna Hurynag shares a metaphorical can of Scottish pop with climate correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter as they talk about the details of a draft agreement being drip fed out of negotiating rooms.

Plus, there's a rumour circulating that Russia and Mexico will give away their own national delicacies if negotiations end on time. So the ClimateCast team put the crucial draft deal to one side, and get stuck into investigating if this rumour could possibly be true.

COP26 negotiations have been cranked up a notch with announcements flooding in left, right and centre.

Ashna Hurynag catches Boris Johnson arriving at Glasgow Central station - where she gets a tour of the UK's first hydrogen train. She speaks to Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, the mum of 9-year-old Ella, who died of air pollution, about why transforming our transport system is essential to solving climate change.

Plus, while in Scotland... Ashna tries a Scottish delicacy covered in batter.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, arrives in Glasgow and Ashna Hurynag wastes no time asking her how negotiations are going.

But she's not the only powerful woman on this episode. We also hear from Chair of the Elders Mary Robinson, indigenous leader Helena from Ecuador and International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

Plus as negotiation time is running out, Ashna speaks to Science and Technology editor Tom Clarke, who is sat with a cold tea and soggy teacake.

Week two of COP26 negotiations kick off with a focus on developing nations, which are pleading with the Global North to put their hands in their pockets and offer more support to those on the frontline of climate change.

Ashna Hurynag meets representatives from across the world including Tanzania, Kenya, Caribbean, and Fiji. They discuss life back home, their hopes for COP and the accessibility of negotiations.

Plus, Barack Obama is in town. Ashna's determined to track him down.

The world has taken to the streets and here in Glasgow Ashna Hurynag explores the warehouse training young people how to get their voices heard.

Plus we hear from star Idris Elba and a man dressed as an avocado... but isn't quite sure why.

Ashna Hurynag joins activists on the streets of Glasgow as 10,000 march, chant and protest in one of the biggest and most diverse Fridays for Future marches the climate sphere has ever seen.

She hears from two of the UK's most high-profile youth activists, Dominique Palmer and Scarlett Westbrook. As well as young children, their parents and even grandparents who travelled from all across the world to march in Glasgow.

Plus original ClimateCast duo Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi catch-up on their COP26 highlights so far.

Phasing out fossil fuels has been the talk of the town at COP26. So is the end in sight?

On ClimateCast Daily from COP26 Ashna Hurynag speaks to Luisa Neubauer, the German climate activist who sued her own country. Ashna joins her in the middle of a coal protest.

With fossil fuels in the bad books, she explores the conference for renewable alternatives and speaks to Polish nuclear enthusiast Jadwiga Najder.

Plus, Sepi Golzari-Munro reveals COP26 pledges could have already shrunk the emissions gap, but as Lusia puts it, pledges are great, but action is better.

Money has been the big theme at COP26 on Wednesday, and a lot of it. Rishi Sunak promised $130 trillion of private capital to help fund the green transition. Plus the long-awaited $100 billion dollars a year to help developing nations is promised, again...

Host Ashna Hurynag sets off around the - enormous - COP26 conference centre, to get reaction to these announcements, plus the other promises world leaders have made so far. She hears from activists and indigenous communities.

Plus, the royal family hasn’t been holding back in calling for action at COP26. Our royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills has the latest.

Boris Johnson has made a start on his coal, cars, cash and trees checklist. While the first three are still in the works, world leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030. Plus more than 100 countries say they will drastically reduce methane emissions. 

On Sky News ClimateCast Daily from COP26 Ashna Hurynag gets the latest from political editor Beth Rigby, who's been chasing famous faces from Joe Biden to Leonardo Dicaprio. She even reveals a favourite.

And, the COP26 menu has been a little different to what Ashna's used to, as she tries the climate-friendly snacks, crickets.

Ashna Hurynag reports from the COP26 conference in Glasgow, as leaders from all around the world arrive. Climate finance and phasing out domestic coal are high on the priority list.

She speaks to Mary Robinson, Chair of the Elders and the environment minister of the Bahamas about they want to see from the world leaders summit. Plus our climate correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter has the latest updates.

Ashna Hurynag steps in as host of ClimateCast from COP26 in Glasgow. But there's one small problem... she's not there yet.

Her and the Sky News production team struggle alongside hundreds of other passengers travelling to Glasgow, as severe weather and a fallen tree creates travel chaos up and down the country.

But while train hopping, the group discuss what they're most looking forward to at COP26 and the outcome of the G20 summit in Rome.

If the world warms more that 1.5 degrees Celsius more than pre-industrial levels, the consequences will be catastrophic.

That’s the consistent warning from scientists ahead of COP26, the UN Climate Change Summit in Glasgow.

The meeting is in the words of John Kerry, the “last best chance” to keep that temperature rise in sight.

So what will it take to “keep 1.5 alive?”

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi are joined by Sky's specialist correspondents who have been following the build-up to COP26 for months, and who will be scrutinising the conference in the coming weeks.

Our climate, political and science correspondents discuss why a lack of finance for developing nations and a reliance on coal could jeopardise the crucial negotiations that will determine the future of our planet.

But can we afford anything other than success?

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Contributors: Hannah Thomas-Peter, Climate Change Correspondent
Tom Clarke, Science and Technology Editor
Kate McCann, Political Correspondent

The UK Government has published its net zero strategy, days before the crucial COP26 summit. It’s been praised and criticised, but generally recognised as being an ambitious document, if lacking in some detail. So can the Government re-claim the title of a climate world leader?

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi are joined by Sky's new Science and Technology Editor, Tom Clarke, to look at the science behind the UK's ambitions.

And what does a net-zero reality look like? They're joined by Fully Charged co-founder Dan Caesar to discuss the practicalities of the heat-pumps and electric cars that the Prime Minister has pledged will transform the UK's emissions over the next few decades.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse

On the menu this week, Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi explore the climate impact of meat and ask their guests: what's the beef with beef?

They find out how much meat we’re eating in the UK and what needs to change, with behavioural scientist Cristina Stewart from the University of Oxford. And dairy farmer Abi Reader explains why meat shouldn’t be taken off the table.

Last but not least Ella Mills, also known as Deliciously Ella, shares the ingredients of her vegan lifestyle. She tells us her tips on how to make gradual changes and enjoy plant-based meals while playing a part in fighting climate change.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Guests: Ella Mills of Deliciously Ella, Cristina Stewart, Abi Reader
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews Producer: Tatiana Alderson

The music industry is back in full swing after the COVID-19 pandemic, but as music venues heat up - so too does our planet.

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi turn up the music. From gigs, festivals, concerts, tours and everything in between, they find out about the environmental footprint of the music industry - and what needs to change.

They're joined by Professor of Climate and Energy policy Carly McLachlan, who recently led a study commissioned by Massive Attack, exploring the impact of the music business on carbon emissions.

Plus Adam Gardener, founder of Reverb - who works with artists such as Harry Styles, Billie Eilish & Maroon 5 - explains how we can reconcile the world of rock'n'roll with acting environmentally friendly, and help tackle the climate crisis.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews Producer: Tatiana Alderson
Music: Guster
Guests: Carly McLachlan, professor of climate & energy policy at the Tyndall Centre For Climate Change Research and Adam Gardner, Guitarist and Vocalist & Co-Founder of Reverb.

On this week's episode of ClimateCast, Sky News Climate Change Correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter and her team travel to the West African country of Gabon for a very special report.

Gabon is the second most forested country on earth, and forms part of the great Congo Basin rainforest that stretches across central Africa.

It is also one of a few nations on the planet that absorbs more carbon than it emits, taking in over one hundred million tons of carbon per year - about a quarter of the UK's annual emissions.

One of the reasons Gabon has avoided destroying its forests for economic gain so far is that it is an oil-rich nation and has traditionally relied on that revenue stream.

But that won't be the case for much longer.

The world is moving away from oil, prices are plunging and production is dwindling.

Now Gabon is asking the international community to pay it to protect the rainforest instead of the easy option of allowing commercial deforestation, the selling of valuable tropical hardwood timber and widespread agriculture.

And, we speak to Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta from the University of Cambridge about the economics of biodiversity.

The Dasgupta Review, commissioned by the Treasury in 2019 describes Nature as “our most precious asset,” says it must be at the heart of economics, and claims that humanity has collectively mismanaged its “global portfolio”.

Professor Dasgupta says his "overarching aim is the reconstruction of economics to include Nature as an ingredient", and states that humanity would need 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life.

And Climate Reporter Victoria Seabrook will brings us the week's latest climate news.

Thousands of young people worldwide suffer from anxiety and depression caused by a fear of climate change. So how can we deal with the growing phenomenon known as eco-anxiety?

On this week's episode of Sky News ClimateCast, hosts Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi go behind the scenes of Youth COP26 with our Climate correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter, who spoke exclusively to climate activists Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate. They share their own experiences with eco-anxiety and how activism helped keep their feelings of fear at bay.

Plus we talk to academic Caroline Hickman, who led research on a ground-breaking report about climate anxiety; and climate activist Samia Dumbuya who suffered herself and now helps others to deal with what is an ever increasing problem. We ask how society can create a safe place where the young generation can feel heard and empowered to tackle the climate crisis.

Hosts: Anna Jones and Katerina Vittozzi
Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Interviews Producer: Tatiana Alderson