United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 2010
Ownership
Carbon Brief is a UK-based specialist website covering climate science, energy and policy, launched in December 2010 (initially as a rapid-rebuttal blog) and edited by Leo Hickman. It operates as a London-based non-profit and is not owned by a commercial publisher; it is sustained by philanthropic grant funders rather than shareholders.
Funding
Carbon Brief is financed by philanthropic grants, principally annual funding from the European Climate Foundation (itself backed by large foundations such as the Hewlett Foundation) and, more recently, the Meliore Foundation, with funding reported around £1.9 million for 2025. It states it maintains an editorial firewall between funders and coverage.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially Carbon Brief is a science-focused, mainstream climate outlet with no party or government tie; its centre-left framing reflects acceptance of climate science rather than partisan alignment. Because it is privately run as a non-profit funded by independent philanthropies (not a party, state, church or oligarch) with a stated editorial firewall, it is classed INDEPENDENT, consistent with the site's tag — donor reliance being the main caveat.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 29
80/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
31
Articles
31
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Brazil’s Lula Was Overtaken by a Trump-Backed Nepo Baby
Brazil's presidential election results show a close race between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula, a veteran leftist leader, faces Bolsonaro, a younger candidate associated with the far-right and linked to his father's controversial legacy. The article highlights concerns over foreign influence, particularly referencing U.S. President Donald Trump's support for Jair Bolsonaro during his legal troubles, including allegations of attempting to undermine Lula's candidacy through economic pressure and diplomatic actions. Lula's campaign focused on reconnecting with everyday Brazilians through simple pleasures, while Bolsonaro's approach has shifted toward nationalism and resistance to external interference. Despite initial polls favoring Lula, he narrowly lost the first round, setting up a runoff. The article frames the situation as a struggle between democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies, suggesting potential implications for Brazil's political stability.
Analysis: Wind and solar save UK from gas imports worth £5.9bn during Hormuz crisis
The UK has avoided importing gas worth £5.9 billion since the start of the Hormuz crisis due to record levels of wind and solar power generation, according to Carbon Brief analysis. Despite surging gas prices, which have reached levels not seen since the 2022 energy crisis, renewable energy sources now account for 41% of the UK's electricity needs, compared to 25% from gas. This shift has reduced the need for gas-fired electricity by nearly 10% year-on-year. The analysis highlights that wind and solar generation in September 2026 alone contributed to a £1.3 billion savings in gas imports, equivalent to over 100 additional tanker deliveries of LNG. High gas prices, driven by geopolitical tensions and low storage levels in Europe, are impacting household bills, while electricity costs remain relatively stable due to increased clean energy production.
‘Concerning’ low sea ice persists as Antarctic hits third-lowest winter peak
Antarctic sea ice reached its third-lowest winter peak extent on record, according to provisional data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). The winter peak occurred on 14 September with an extent of 17.59 million square kilometers, which experts note is 'well below average' for the season. Scientists warn that persistent low values could indicate a potential structural shift in Antarctic sea ice patterns, though they emphasize the need for more data to confirm such trends. In contrast, the Arctic sea ice reached its annual minimum on 12 September, marking the joint-10th lowest in the satellite record. Over the past two decades, Arctic sea ice levels have been among the lowest ever recorded. Experts highlight that while some regions of Antarctica experienced unusual ice conditions, others showed recovery, suggesting complex regional variations influenced by atmospheric factors.
Interactive: What China’s dozens of ‘five-year plans’ say about climate and energy
Carbon Brief reports that nearly three-quarters of China's 72 five-year plans published this year include policies or targets related to climate change and energy. Five-year plans are a crucial component of China's policymaking process, outlining key priorities and setting goals for future development. The article highlights the significant emphasis placed by China on addressing climate issues through these strategic documents.
Analysis: EVs are now nine times cheaper than petrol or diesel to drive in the UK
The rising cost of fossil fuels has made driving an electric vehicle (EV) significantly cheaper than traditional petrol or diesel vehicles in the UK. According to Carbon Brief analysis, diesel prices have risen by 38% since February, reaching £1.96 per litre, while petrol prices have increased by 31%, hitting £1.72 per litre. These increases are linked to global conflicts, including the US attack on Iran and escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel. Driving a diesel or petrol car now costs approximately 21p and 20.1p per mile respectively, compared to just 2.3p per mile for an EV charged during off-peak hours. Even with the current electricity price cap, EVs remain three times cheaper to operate than conventional vehicles. While EVs make up only 6% of the UK’s car fleet, their market share is growing, with 30% of new cars sold in August being battery EVs.
Analysis: ‘Super El Niño’ breaks ‘remarkable’ all-time record
This year's 'super El Niño' has broken records for intensity, with sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific exceeding the previous daily record set in 2015. The current El Niño event, which began in June and is expected to continue into next year, has developed faster than any previously recorded event. Measured using the Niño 3.4 anomaly, a metric tracking how much warmer sea surface temperatures are compared to average, the current anomaly stands at 3.11°C, surpassing the prior record of 3.08°C. This is notable due to its occurrence earlier in the year, as El Niño typically peaks in late autumn. Scientists classify El Niño events based on the magnitude of the Niño 3.4 anomaly, with this year's event reaching levels classified as 'very strong.' The development of this El Niño has been analyzed using the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), which compares current temperatures to a 30-year average, allowing for comparisons that account for recent climate trends.
Explainer: How sea level rise poses an ‘existential threat’ to humans, heritage and nature
This article from Carbon Brief explains how rising sea levels pose significant threats to human populations, cultural heritage, and natural ecosystems. It highlights that global sea levels have been rising at an unprecedented rate, primarily driven by human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions. The article references a UN report indicating that approximately 770 million people, or 10% of the world's population, are at 'acute risk' from sea level rise, particularly those living in low-lying areas and major coastal cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The piece discusses both global and local variations in sea level rise, noting that local factors such as land subsidence and ocean currents can amplify the impact. It emphasizes the existential threat posed by continued sea level rise, including increased flooding, erosion, and risks to biodiversity and small island nations.
Analysis: Nepal’s $20m ‘loss-and-damage’ claim only covers 0.7% of flood costs
Nepal has submitted a $20 million claim to the United Nations' 'loss-and-damage' fund to address the aftermath of severe floods that struck the country in late August. According to Carbon Brief's analysis, this amount represents only 0.7% of the $2.7 billion in physical damage and economic losses reported by Nepalese authorities. Additionally, considering the $4.8 billion required for recovery and reconstruction, the $20 million request accounts for just 0.3% of the total needs. Despite having made the fourth-largest claim to the fund, Nepal faces challenges in securing sufficient financial support, as the total amount requested by developing countries exceeds three times the $0.8 billion pledged by developed nations. The UN fund, established in 2023, has yet to disburse any funds to affected countries.
Analysis: India’s power-sector emissions flat for two years due to clean-energy surge
India's power sector has seen no increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions between the first half of 2024 and the same period in 2026, thanks to a significant rise in clean energy. This is the first time in over 50 years that coal power usage has not grown over a two-year span, despite increasing electricity demand. Clean energy sources accounted for the entire 7% rise in electricity demand during this period, with solar power contributing significantly. However, emissions from other sectors like steel and cement rose by 8%, contributing to an overall 3.7% annual increase in India's CO2 emissions for the first half of 2026. The report highlights the need for upgrades to the electricity grid, expanded energy storage, and greater flexibility in coal power to sustain the clean-energy transition.
Analysis: Global fossil-fuel emissions set to fall in 2026 amid Hormuz crisis
Global fossil-fuel emissions are projected to decrease by approximately 0.5% in 2026 due to disruptions caused by the Hormuz crisis, according to Carbon Brief analysis. The US-Iran conflict has led to significant trade interruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in elevated oil and gas prices that have affected the global economy. While coal demand is expected to increase by 1.2%, driven partly by higher gas prices, this growth is anticipated to be offset by declines in oil and gas usage. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revised its forecasts multiple times throughout the year, reflecting shifting conditions. Initially predicting a slight decline in coal demand, the IEA later reported a 1.2% increase in 2026. Gas demand forecasts have also been adjusted downward, while oil demand projections have seen substantial revisions, with the IEA now forecasting a potential 2.5 million barrels per day decrease.
CCC: Heathrow expansion could push flights to ‘80% of UK emissions by 2050’
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) warns that aviation emissions in the UK are projected to reach 80% of total CO2 emissions by 2050, driven by rising passenger numbers and lack of effective decarbonization strategies. The CCC states that current policies are insufficient to align aviation with net-zero goals, despite government support for Heathrow expansion and reliance on 'techno-fixes' like sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Even without expansion, emissions are expected to rise to 38 million tonnes by 2050, with Heathrow expansion adding 2.4 million tonnes. The CCC concludes that the UK lacks a credible plan to address aviation emissions and calls for a revised strategy by 2027, emphasizing the need for the aviation sector to fund its own emission reduction efforts through technologies like direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS).
Revealed: England’s June 2026 heatwave sparked record demand for ambulances
During England's record-breaking June 2026 heatwave, ambulance services across the country faced unprecedented demand, with four out of ten NHS ambulance services, including London's, recording their busiest days ever. Temperatures reached above 37°C in parts of the country, prompting only the second 'red' extreme heat warning in history. The heatwave led to higher emergency call volumes than traditional winter peaks and even the height of the COVID-19 pandemic for many services. Ambulance trusts provided data on their busiest days in response to Freedom of Information requests, showing that the period from June 23-27 was particularly overrepresented in records, with multiple services experiencing daily records for life-threatening emergency responses.
El Niño: Indonesia fire emissions in 2026 ‘on track’ to match record for this century
Wildfires in Indonesia are projected to generate emissions comparable to those recorded during the country's most severe fire season this century, according to recent research. As of 7 September 2026, fires have already released 76 million tonnes of carbon, aligning with the trajectory observed in 2015, when 2.6 million hectares of land burned, producing 333 million tonnes of carbon. Experts note that parts of Indonesia, particularly Papua, are experiencing unprecedented levels of burning. Historical records indicate that the 1997 fire season emitted carbon equivalent to 13–40% of global fossil fuel emissions that year, while the 2015 fires contributed more CO2 than the entire EU's fossil fuel emissions. This year's fires coincide with an El Niño event, which exacerbates dry conditions and increases fire risk. Scientists predict this El Niño could be among the strongest on record, further intensifying the situation.