Bob Ward
Bob joined the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment in November 2008, shortly after its launch.
He also holds the following positions:
- Chair of the London Climate Change Partnership.
- Policy and Communications Director for the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy.
Background
Bob joined the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) from Risk Management Solutions, where he was Director of Public Policy.
He also worked at the Royal Society, the UK national academy of science, for eight years, until October 2006. His responsibilities there included leading the media relations team.
He has also worked as a freelance science writer and journalist.
Bob has a first degree in geology and an unfinished PhD thesis on palaeopiezometry.
He is a fellow of the Geological Society, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a fellow of the Energy Institute and a member of the American Geophysical Union. Bob is also a member of the board of the Association of British Science Writers and a member of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Public Relations Association.
Research
Research - 2022
This review seeks to provide a common basis for natural scientists, social scientists, and modellers to understand the research challenges involved in evaluating the economic risks of climate change. Read more
Research - 2021
This paper discusses major action areas for China's 14th Five-Year Plan after COVID-19, especially focusing on three aspects: the energy transition, a new type of sustainable urban development, and investment priorities. Read more
Research - 2018
Abstract Large discrepancies persist between projections of the physical impacts of climate change and economic damage estimates. These discrepancies increase... Read more
Research - 2016
A response to ‘Impact of Current Climate Proposals’ Bjorn Lomborg Global Policy, Volume 7, Issue 1, pages 125–126, February 2016 Read more
Research - 2015
This paper claims there is a fundamental methodological flaw in a recent paper by Bjorn Lomborg which seeks to investigate the temperature reduction impact of major climate policy proposals. Read more
Research - 2014
The development of human civilisations has occurred at a time of stable climate. This climate stability is now threatened by... Read more
UK dash for shale gas poster Read more
Research - 2013
Ward, B. 2013. In: ‘Weather’, v.68, p.16-17. Read more
Research - 2012
In: Weintrobe, S. (ed) ‘Engaging with Climate Change: Psychoanalytic and Interdisciplinary Perspectives’. Routledge, UK, p.109-113. Read more
Ranger, N., Gohar, L.K., Lowe, J.A., Raper, S.C.B., Bowen, A. and Ward, R.E. 2012. In: ‘Climatic Change’, v.111, p.973-981 Read more
Research - 2010
Ward, R.E.T. 2010. In: ‘Weather’, v.65, p.309-310. Read more
Working Paper 28 Abstract Carter (2008) notes that for climate change “sound science [sic] understanding is an essential prerequisite to... Read more
Ward, R.E.T. 2010. In: Economic Analysis and Policy, v.40, p.125-143. Read more
Research - 2009
Ward, R.E.T., Fong, J., Jones, B.E.M., Casselton, L.A. and Cox, S.J. 2009. International Journal of Technology Management, v.46, p.9-26. Read more
Herweijer, C., Ranger, N. and Ward, R.E.T. 2009. In: ‘The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance: Issues and Practice’, v.34,... Read more
Ward, R.E.T. 2009. In: Boyce, T. and Lewis, J. (eds) ‘Climate Change and the Media’. Peter Lang Publishing Inc., New... Read more
Research - 2008
Ward, B. 2007. In: Bauer, M.W. and Bucchi, M. (eds) Journalism, Science and Society: Science Communication between News and Public... Read more
Ward, R.E.T., Herweijer, C., Patmore, N. and Muir-Wood, R. 2008. In: . The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance: Issues... Read more
Ward, R.E.T. 2008. In: Liverman, D.G.E., Pereira, C. and Marker, B. (eds) Communicating Environmental Geoscience, The Geological Society, London, Special... Read more
Policy
Policy - 2024
This report presents insights on heat resilience policy and practice in the UK to inform future preparedness and responses to extreme heat, incorporating the experiences and views of decision-makers and practitioners who worked on the frontline of the 2022 heatwaves across England. Read more
This policy insight seeks to evaluate China’s role in supply chains for renewable energy technologies and how the country can accelerate the energy transition in other countries, particularly those in Southeast Asia. Read more
This report sets out the need for long-lasting institutional and policy frameworks that can induce investment in a broad range of assets in the UK to drive the transition to a sustainable, inclusive and resilient economy. Read more
Policy - 2023
A letter to the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, sent by Bob Ward on 27 December 2023, in which Ward urges... Read more
A letter to the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, sent by Bob Ward, in which he expresses concern about attempts to undermine and politicise the role of the UK Climate Change Committee. Read more
Policy - 2022
In these letters to two Conservative MPs who have put forth their names as candidates to replace Boris Johnson as leader of the party and Prime Minister, Bob Ward challenges inaccurate claims they have made about the UK's net zero target. Read more
This report and brief provide improved estimates of the likely economic damages from climate change to the UK, highlighting where the greatest risks and need for adaptation are. These are translated into loss of socioeconomic welfare and reported as an equivalent loss of the UK’s GDP under two different policy scenarios – one in which current policies continue and another in which strong mitigation policies are put in place. Read more
A submission to the UK Treasury's consultation on the 'Proposals for Reform' under its Financial Regulation Framework Review. Read more
Policy - 2021
A submission based on work from across the Grantham Research Institute to the FCDO's recent call for evidence to inform the UK's forthcoming International Development Strategy. Read more
In this letter to Craig Mackinlay MP, Bob Ward outlines inaccurate and misleading claims in recent articles by the MP... Read more
This report sets out core elements of an overarching and integrated strategy for recovery from the COVID-10 pandemic and growth, as a contribution to the preparation for the G7 Summit taking place in Carbis Bay, Cornwall (11 to 13 June 2021). Read more
A response from the Department of Health and Social Care to Bob Ward, the Grantham Research Institute’s Policy and Communications Director, following a letter sent by Mr Ward to the Prime Minister on 27 August 2020 to recommend a new comprehensive cross-government strategy to deal with the risks created by hot weather. Read more
A letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson from the Grantham Research Institute's Policy and Communications Director, Bob Ward, renewing a call to create and implement a National Heat Risk Strategy. Read more
A letter to Steve Baker MP from the Grantham Research Institute's Policy and Communications Director, Bob Ward, in response to a recent article written by Mr Baker titled ‘It’s alright for some: The poorest will pay the highest price for Net Zero fantasies’. Read more
The Grantham Research Institute submitted this response in July 2020 to a consultation launched by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) in May 2020 to gather views on its intention to refresh its core aim as stated in its Maximising Economic Recovery Strategy for the UK [MER UK Strategy], which came into force in March 2016. Read more
A letter sent from the Grantham Research Institute’s Policy and Communications Director, Bob Ward, to Andy Samuel, the Chief Executive... Read more
This report highlights six case studies of successful climate change adaptation and resilience, mostly in developing countries. It assesses the success of specific adaptation and resilience processes, the benefits gained and the lessons learned. Read more
This paper focuses on three action areas for China's 14th Five-Year Plan: the energy transition, a new type of sustainable urban development and investment priorities. Read more
Policy - 2020
This is a response to a review by the Editors’ Code of Practice Committee of the Editors’ Code of Practice, a public consultation. Read more
A letter by Bob Ward, the Grantham Research Institute's policy and communications director, to the Prime Minister, on the need to create a cross-departmental National Heat Risk Strategy for the UK. Read more
This report investigates whether the evidence supports the reasons given by the Trump Administration to justify its decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, and concludes that the decision is irrational and does not promote the best interests of the American people. Read more
This is a response to the Bank of England's discussion paper, 'The 2021 biennial exploratory scenario on the financial risks from climate change'. The response has been prepared by authors from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at LSE, the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment at Imperial College London, and the University of Edinburgh Business School. Read more
In advance of the Budget, this policy report highlights areas of the UK economy where the public sector could leverage private investment and in so doing contribute to achieving the strategic priorities of regionally balanced growth and decarbonisation. Read more
Presentation given at the International Petroleum Week event on 25th February 2020. During the presentation Bob Ward makes the case for the oil and gas industry to take ownership of the transition to net zero emissions. Read more
Policy - 2019
This submission was made to the Environment Agency's consultation on its draft strategy for flood and coastal risk management in England, and draws on the Grantham Research Institute's work and expertise over many years in this area. Read more
The Grantham Research Institute’s response to the Commons Select Committee inquiry into decarbonisation of the UK economy highlights the Treasury’s unique position in government to drive the transition towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a focus on economic growth. Read more
Economic assessments of the potential future risks of climate change have been omitting or grossly underestimating many of the most serious consequences for lives and livelihoods because these risks are difficult to quantify precisely and lie outside of human experience. This policy insight identifies and draws attention to these 'missing risks' and discusses how populations might fare in light of their potential to adapt in the face of these risks. Read more
This letter to the chair of the UK’s Independent Press Standards Organisation relates to a recent ruling on a complaint... Read more
Policy - 2018
This submission to the Scottish Affairs Committee focuses on the implications for the oil and gas industry in the UK, including Scotland, of the transition to low-carbon economic growth. It calls for the Government’s Industrial Strategy to reconcile its ambitions for the sector with the ‘Clean Growth’ Grand Challenge. Read more
This submission to the Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry on ‘Heatwaves: Adapting to Climate Change’ focuses on the importance of communicating with the public to raise awareness of the increasing incidence of heatwaves. Read more
Letter to the Co-Chairs of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which draws their attention to... Read more
Letter from Bob Ward written in response to a statement made by Viscount Ridley in the House of Lords on... Read more
This is a submission to the consultation on the UK government's 'Cost of energy' review by Professor Dieter Helm, addressing areas including the phase-out of coal and cost of renewable energy. Read more
This is a submission to the consultation on the UK Government's Clean Growth Strategy, with comments on the overall strategy and key sections. Read more
Policy - 2017
Ongoing concerns about the best policies to achieve affordability have led to three reviews: of energy costs, of the Levy Control Framework, and of carbon pricing. This paper draws on research findings and empirical evidence to identify key principles and issues that should be taken into account by the Government in relation to these separate but related reviews. Read more
Correspondence between Bob Ward and the Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology.... Read more
Correspondence between Bob Ward and Graham Stringer MP, member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology. The correspondence relates to a letter to ‘The Times’ and an article in the ‘Daily Mail’, from Graham Stringer MP, which were published on 20 September. In the correspondence Bob Ward asserts the MP misrepresented the findings of the paper on ‘Emission budgets and pathways consistent with limiting warming to 1.5˚C’ by Richard Millar and co-authors, which was published in ‘Nature Geoscience’ on 18 September. Read more
This paper was submitted in response to the UK Government’s industrial strategy green paper: ‘Building our industrial strategy‘. Read more
These are the annotated notes to accompany an oral presentation on 1 February 2017 to the House of Commons Select... Read more
This submission to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee’s inquiry on Leaving the EU looks at which aspects of EU policy should be retained and the potential impact of Brexit on Paris Agreement pledges. Read more
Policy - 2016
This is a submission by the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy and the Grantham Research Institute on... Read more
Letter from Bob Ward to the Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, in relation to the exemption for universities and... Read more
Policy - 2015
Lettter from Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director of the Institute, raises concerns about “inaccurate and misleading claims” in the... Read more
This policy paper was submitted to HM Treasury in response to its consultation on 'Reforming the business energy efficiency tax landscape'. Read more
This analysis considers whether the INDCs that were submitted by 23 October 2015 are consistent with a reasonable chance of not exceeding the 2°C warming limit. Read more
This paper looks at whether the intended national determined contributions (INDCs) that were submitted by 20 July 2015 are consistent with the 2°C limit. Read more
Headline issue Countries agreed at the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP20) in Lima, Peru, in December... Read more
The next UK Government after the General Election on 7 May should reform the UK’s overly-complex energy taxation and create new institutions to depoliticise infrastructure investment, particularly in the energy sector. These recommendations are among several new measures outlined in the Institute’s latest policy brief ‘Climate change priorities for the next UK government’. Read more
Policy - 2014
Outlines the main energy and climate change challenges in the UK over the next five-year term Read more
This is a submission by the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy and Grantham Research Institute on Climate... Read more
Policy - 2013
Briefing Note Headline issue Through the Water Bill, the Government is seeking powers to establish a new scheme for the... Read more
The Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the most comprehensive assessment of the physical... Read more
Briefing note This briefing note summarises the report-writing process for the IPCC assessment reports, ahead of the launch of the... Read more
Briefing note The Climate Change Act received Royal Assent on 26 November 2008 and set an overarching target to reduce UK... Read more
Flooding is the biggest natural disaster risk in England. Flood risk is expected to increase due to climate change and continued development of floodplains for residential and commercial property, which increases the exposure of homes and businesses. Addressing the causes and consequences of flooding is very important and we welcome the recent efforts by the Government and the insurance industry to reform the approach to flood insurance in England. Read more
Submission begins with a summary of the importance of public understanding of climate change, before considering some of the latest... Read more
Headline issue This paper responds to a Department of Education consultation on proposed reforms to the National Curriculum in England... Read more
This report examines CO2 budgets and the growing ‘carbon bubble’, as well as its effects on the economy and global... Read more
Our first report, in 2011, showed that based on current understanding of an allowable carbon budget to keep below two... Read more
Shifting from coal to natural gas for electricity generation can help the UK power sector to decarbonise in the near term. With good planning and investment, natural gas can support the development of a low-carbon power sector by providing essential backup for intermittent renewables, but could only play a bigger role longer-term if fitted with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
However, a new UK ‘dash’ for gas on the assumption of low prices is a risky economic and environmental option. A lower risk option is a ‘dash’ for smart gas; using natural gas in those areas where it offers the greatest value in decarbonising the power sector. Read more
Policy - 2010
Executive summary The Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are contemplating a range of goals... Read more
Events
Events - 2023
Events - 2022
Events - 2019
Events - 2017
News
News - 2024
This article reports on analysis of spending on low-carbon energy measures by Europe's top five economies which shows that the UK spends less than Italy, Germany, France and Spain. Read more
This news article reports on a new study which suggests there has been a significant growth in green businesses and... Read more
This article reports on the UK Labour Party's announcement that it is to significantly reduce its proposed spending on home insulation. Read more
Big Issue, 9 February 2024 Read more
This article reports on the announcement that the UK Labour Party is to signifcantly reduce its green investment commitments. Read more
This opinion piece reflects on the debate within the UK Labour Party over its green investment plans. The article references... Read more
This article reports on the issuing of new oil and gas licences in the North Sea and includes a quote... Read more
This article discusses a new report by the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee which calls for a national heatwave plan. Read more
This article discusses a new report by leading economists, including Lord Stern, which calls for the UK to make major... Read more
This article reports of criticism of the UK Prime Minister’s plans to expand oil and gas exploration in the North... Read more
The failure to agree a new Chair of the Climate Change Committee is just the latest in a series of attempts by the Government to undermine the Committee and misrepresent its work, writes Bob Ward. Read more
News - 2023
Arguments about the future production and consumption of oil, coal and gas are dominating the closing stages of COP28, but what does the existing evidence indicate about the role of fossil fuels in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement? Read more
A few days into the COP28 climate summit this article outlines some of the key developments so far and some of the key forthcoming issues for discussion. Read more
CGTN, 2 December 2023 Read more
Daily Mirror, 1 December 2023 Read more
In this commentary, Bob Ward reviews key elements of Rishi Sunak’s 20th September net zero speech and the implications of the announced policy changes. Read more
This article outlines some of the financial help that is available to people in the UK who are looking to... Read more
Times, 27 September 2023 Read more
This news article considers whether Britain's reputation as an international leader in efforts to tackle climate change has been undermined by recent policy reversals. The article includes comments by Bob Ward. Read more
This news article discusses the UK Labour Party’s net zero policies in the light of a recent announcement by the... Read more
The news article reports on a letter written by UK scientists which urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asking him to... Read more
A recent article in the journal Nature has led to false allegations that researchers are exaggerating the impacts of climate change. Bob Ward argues that media sources are using this to mislead readers. Read more
As London prepares for the expansion next week of the Ultra Low Emission Zone, Bob Ward dispels the myths around this policy, explaining its origins, the thinking behind the expansion and the links between air pollution and health. Read more
The Daily Mail has once again exploited a lack of effective press regulation in the UK in order to promote misinformation about climate change, writes Bob Ward. Read more
The Daily Mail’s campaign against electric vehicles in the UK is hypocritical and against its own readers’ interests, writes Bob Ward. Read more
In this news article academics respond to recent attacks by the UK government on environmental groups such as Greenpeace. Read more
As unbalanced, ill-informed articles on net zero continue to appear in the press from figures such as former Chancellor Lord Hammond, Bob Ward examines the evidence produced by our independent statutory bodies that carefully analyses the costs and benefits of acting on climate change in the UK and leads to a robust economic case for action. Read more
In calling for a referendum on the UK’s net zero target, The Sunday Telegraph has reached a new extreme in its strident campaign against climate policies, writes Bob Ward. Read more
National and local policymakers need to wake up to the growing threats to lives and livelihoods that rising temperatures are causing in London and increase pre-emptive efforts to mitigate the worst impacts, writes Bob Ward. Read more
This news article reports on how increased use of fans and air conditioning in the UK, as temperatures increase, has led to electricity suppliers having to meet the extra demand by starting up coal-powered plants. Read more
This news article reports on the increasing risk of summer heatwaves in the UK and includes a quote from Bob Ward commenting on how the country is unprepared for increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. Read more
Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment has been appointed Chair of the London Climate Change Partnership. The London Climate Change Partnership brings together organisations and companies who are working together to make London the most climate-resilient global city. Read more
The UK Government has published further details about its strategy for decarbonising the economy. But, as Esin Serin and Bob... Read more
This article reports on the publication by the UK Government of its Net Zero Strategy. Bob Ward is among those... Read more
Bob Ward writes that the Daily Mail's misleading portrayal of the latest IPCC report once again promotes its agenda of climate change denial. Read more
In this interview on the GB News Nigel Farage show Bob Ward discusses the UK's Net Zero Review. Read more
This news article reports on the case of a walrus found on the east coast of England and considers the... Read more
Bob Ward exposes the falsehoods in Viscount Ridley’s Times article about a ‘walrus comeback’. Read more
News - 2022
Bob Ward debunks yet more false claims on climate change being spread in the UK by certain public figures as they exploit Twitter’s lack of rules against misinformation. Read more
As climate negotiations commence in Egypt at COP27, the outlook for securing commitments that rise to the global challenge has worsened. Bob Ward outlines the latest climate assessments from the lead-up to the summit and the urgency of delivering the finance required for climate action. Read more
This article reports on excess deaths recorded in England during the 2022 heatwaves. The article includes quotes from Bob Ward. Read more
Bob Ward counters inaccurate and misleading claims questioning the scientific consensus on climate change made recently by Brian Catt on GB News and Talk TV. Read more
In this article Bob Ward reviews a book by Gaia Vince in which the author argues that planned mass migration is essential for humanity to inhabit a world 4C warmer. Read more
Record-breaking heatwave conditions in the UK highlight the urgency of action to meet our net zero carbon target says Bob Ward in this opinion article. Read more
In this commentary, written in the context of heatwave conditions in London and the UK, Bob Ward outlines the critical importance of measures to reduce emissions to net zero. Read more
This news article considers the increasing likelihood of heatwaves in the UK due to climate change. The article includes an... Read more
With a brutal heatwave likely to lead to thousands of preventable deaths in the UK and other European countries over the next few days, Bob Ward urges a change in mindset to this increasingly common and deadly form of extreme weather. Read more
In the commentary article for The Times Bob Ward says that Sri Lanka’s current political turmoil is due to an energy crisis, made worse by climate change, and not an ‘obsession with organic crops’ as was claimed by Melanie Phillips in the newspaper. Read more
Bob Ward follows up on his earlier commentary as one Conservative leadership candidate makes further incorrect statements about the UK's net zero target. Read more
Bob Ward challenges false claims about the UK’s climate change target that have been made by two of the 11 candidates who have so far declared their intention to succeed Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister. Read more
Bob Ward explains why the IPCC's recent conclusions about the accuracy of estimates of the economic impacts of climate change are refreshing and necessary. Read more
In this commentary Bob Ward outlines the importance of London taking measures to adapt to the growing threat posed by flash flooding. Read more
The UK’s government and oil companies are on a collision course with international efforts to avoid dangerous climate change, says Bob Ward. Remedial action is necessary to keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree temperature goal in sight. Read more
In this opinion article Bob Ward outlines how many aspects of urban life, such as buildings and transport infrastructure, will need to change in the face of increasing temperatures. Read more
With daytime temperatures in the UK forecast to top 30°C, hundreds of preventable deaths are likely. Bob Ward explains why... Read more
This article reports on evidence suggesting that the Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF) has received funding from US based donors with links to coal, oil and gas companies. The article includes a quote from Bob Ward concerning efforts by GWPF to challenge the UK's net zero policy. Read more
British consumers are facing a cost of energy crisis, and some ideological extremists are trying to exploit the hardship and misery with misinformation and propaganda about climate policies. Bob Ward dispels the four most common myths being propagated by opponents of net zero. Read more
In this interview with Nigel Farage on GB News Bob Ward discusses whether the UK could become self sufficient on fossil fuels and whether fracking is a viable option. Read more
The UK’s main club for climate change deniers, the Global Warming Policy Foundation, is continuing to spread misinformation about the impacts of rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, recently publishing a misleading pamphlet on polar sea ice. Read more
This news article considers how the current crisis facing the Boris Johnson's government may impact on climate policy. In the article Bob Ward claims that a small group of Conservative MPs are trying to undermine public support for climate action. Read more
Bob Ward explains why calls to expand the UK’s oil and gas industry in reaction to rising energy prices are the wrong way to help low-income households and fly in the face of the Conservative Party’s manifesto pledges on climate change. Read more
n this interview on the GBNews Nigel Farage show Bob Ward explains how our dependence on natural gas is responsible for current rise in UK energy prices. Read more
News - 2021
The ‘Daily Mail’ has a long track record of promoting climate change denial. Its coverage of climate change before and after COP26 has been no exception says Bob Ward Read more
In this news report Bob Ward responds to research that shows that heatwaves and wildfires which affected much of Europe in 2021 would not have happened without global warming. Read more
Bob Ward discusses the COP26 in this radio interview. Times Radio, 19 October 2021 Read more
whether the scale and ambition of the plan will be sufficient. Read more
Bob Ward discusses the COP26 Climate Summit in this BBC Breakfast interview. Read more
This news article looks at the impact of recent summer storms on the East coast of the USA and on other global cities. Read more
This article discusses the potential harm caused by misinformation and conspiracy theories particularly in relation to the COVID-19 and climate change. Read more
Bob Ward outlines how a small group of MPs have launched a media campaign that is spreading misinformation about the UK Government’s climate change policies. Read more
In this opinion article Bob Ward reflects on the latest IPPC climate change report. He argues that although the report makes for grim reading there is hope if individuals, companies and governments take action on climate change. Read more
The UK, and the Government in particular, is not doing enough to address the mounting risks posed by heatwaves, causing many unnecessary deaths, argues Bob Ward. Read more
In this opinion article Bob Ward argues heatwaves and other extreme weather events are being made worse by climate change... Read more
Bob Ward renews his call to the Government for a National Heat Risk Strategy. Read more
Bob Wards highlights errors in a recent article by Steve Baker MP that claims “the poorest will pay the highest price for Net Zero fantasies”, part of an apparent ramp-up in the misinformation campaign by British climate change deniers. Read more
Following a new landmark report from the IEA which says the global energy system reaching net-zero by 2050 means no new supplies of fossil fuels, Bob Ward assesses the implications for the UK’s oil and gas industry. Read more
The leader writers at The Daily Telegraph have demonstrated once again that their deeply ideological opposition to climate change policy makes them an unreliable source of information on the topic, argues Bob Ward. Read more
In this article for The Observer, Bob Ward reviews two new books on climate change. How to Avoid a Climate... Read more
Bob Ward explains the background to false and debunked claims about the amount of greenhouse gases from the consumption of meat that are being promoted by self-styled ‘lukewarmer’ Viscount Ridley. Read more
Bob Ward summarises the reactions to President Biden’s actions and intentions on climate and the environment. Read more
News - 2020
Bob Ward discusses the implications of the decision to remove Site of Special Scientific Interest status from the sand dunes around the Trump International golf course in Aberdeenshire. Read more
A new ruling by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has provided further evidence that it cannot be trusted to uphold standards of accuracy in the reporting of climate change, writes Bob Ward. Read more
Bob Ward describes how a free market lobby group, the American Institute for Economic Research, who have organised a controversial petition against the use of lockdowns to tackle COVID-19, have used similar methods in the past to spread misinformation about other health and environmental risks, including climate change. Read more
Aberdeenshire Council has granted full planning permission for the building of a second Trump golf course that could lead to... Read more
Bob Ward writes on the implications for climate change coverage in the UK of appointing Charles Moore and Paul Dacre as chairs of the BBC and Ofcom respectively. Read more
A letter from Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director, published in the Financial Times, highlighting that governments in the UK and elsewhere need to face up to and address the end of the fossil fuel era. Read more
Last week Bjorn Lomborg joined a climate debate on Sky News during which he frequently misled the audience with inaccurate or misleading statements. Here Bob Ward explains in detail how Dr Lomborg distorts the truth about climate change. Read more
Given the wide range of impacts created by the increase in the frequency and intensity of hot weather, it is time for the UK Government to create a National Heat Risk Strategy, argues Bob Ward. Read more
Bob Ward reviews Bjorn Lomborg’s new book, 'False Alarm', finding the misuse of outdated, concocted and misinterpreted numbers on the costs of climate action and concluding that the book’s central claim that the ‘optimal’ level of global warming by 2100 would be 3.75˚C was completely out-of-date before it was even published. Read more
Bob Ward discusses two new books written by prominent ‘lukewarmers’: False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the... Read more
The declaration today of an official Level 3 heat-health alert by the Met Office and Public Health England may have... Read more
Media coverage of the UK’s sunniest spring on record fails to recognise the risks associated with such conditions & the links between unusual weather events & climate change says Bob Ward in this news article in The Guardian. Read more
In this commentary, written in The Guardian, Bob Ward says that the media vilification of government adviser Neil Ferguson is about far more than social distancing. He says it is part of a media campaign led by those who are ideologically opposed to government measures in response to COVID-19. This campaign is similar to previous campaigns aimed at discrediting climate scientists. Read more
In this LSE Podcast Bob Ward and Swenja Surminski discuss whether bold action can help to avert the climate crisis. Read more
This article considers the impact of the coronavirus on global carbon emissions. In the article Bob Ward says the crisis has demonstrated our vulnerability as a world to global threats and he goes on to warn governments against seeking to rebuild in a high carbon way. Read more
On 25 February, I made a presentation at International Petroleum Week to make the case for the oil and gas... Read more
In this report on a summit of oil traders and producers Bob Ward is quoted as telling industry executives that continued production of fossil fuels was a path to the industry’s own “obsolescence and destruction”. Read more
Bob Ward suggests that some of the money from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s $10 billion "Earth Fund" could be used to counter misinformation about climate change and to explore options for managing a just transition for workers & communities currently dependent on high-carbon industries. This is part of an article in which climate experts and scientists put forward a variety of ideas for how the money could be best used. Read more
Article considers the differing views of economists on the likely cost of climate change. In the article Bob Ward is reported as saying there are problems with the models used by William Nordhaus, Richard Tol and others who claim the economic impact will not be severe. Read more
Bob Ward comments on the task facing the new UK president of COP26. This follows the sacking of the previous president, Claire O’Neill, and speculation as to who might be appointed to replace her. Read more
Bob Ward comments on a new report that suggests there may be links between growing climate change impacts and violence against women and girls. Read more
Bob Ward responds to analysis which suggests that the recent bushfires in Australia are likely to cause a jump in carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. He says that such feedback processes will lead to the exhaustion of our emissions budgets even more quickly than expected. Read more
Bob Ward asserts that the spread of misinformation about the causes of Australia's current bushfires - which experts link explicitly to climate change - is a threat to lives and livelihoods. Read more
Charles Moore’s recent stint as guest editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme shows how climate change ‘sceptics’ abuse freedom of expression says Bob Ward. Read more
News - 2019
Bob Ward says that the so called "Climategate" affair set back public policy-making in the UK and other western countries. Read more
This article considers levels of support for various climate and environmental policies in the run up to the 2019 UK General Election. In the article Bob Ward warns that getting to net zero by 2030 might prove more popular in theory than in practice. Read more
With Extinction Rebellion bringing parts of London to a standstill, right-wing national newspapers have been growing increasingly desperate in their... Read more
Robert Falkner and Bob Ward consider the impact of the Extinction Rebellion protests on policy making in the UK in this article looking at the tactics of the movement which has mounted protests around the world. Read more
The Climate Action Summit, hosted on 23 September at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, succeeded in... Read more
This article considers what the UK is doing to support climate change adaptation efforts. In the article Bob Ward says: “Britain’s failure to adapt to our changing climate could severely undermine efforts to persuade other countries to invest more in resilience.” Read more
In this article about media coverage of the bank holiday heatwave Bob Ward says “the Met Office seems to be afraid to talk about climate change”. For instance, it published State of the UK Climate 2018 last month, which listed key trends in rainfall and temperature but did not mention climate change.” Read more
In a letter to the Evening Standard Bob Ward calls for politicians to respond with more ambitious plans to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. This is in the light of a recent report in the paper showing that 85% of British adults are now concerned about global warming. Read more
Bob Ward discusses the Amazon rainforest wildfires in Brazil. Read more
Bob Ward responds to criticism of the royal family's air travel and says "It would be far better if people who were criticising Harry and Meghan ... directed their attention to the slow pace of innovation in the aviation". Read more
Bob Ward talks about Greta Thunberg’s yacht trip to New York. He says “What we need is zero-carbon aviation and I hope that will result from her drawing attention to the fact that the only way to travel long distances with zero emissions at the moment is by arduous, long journeys such as on a yacht.” Read more
Bob Ward discusses emergency efforts to prevent the collapse of the Whaley Bridge dam in Derbyshire following damage caused by exceptionally heavy rainfall. He goes on to say that similar incidents are likely to occur in the future due to the fact that much of the UK's infrastructure hasn't been designed to cope with the changing climate. Read more
Bob Ward says we are now getting very close to some dangerous tipping points in the behaviour of the climate – but as this latest leaked report of the IPCC’s work reveals, it is going to be very difficult to achieve the cuts we need to make to prevent that happening. Read more
Bob Ward says the UK's flood defence system isn't fit for the 21st century. Read more
Bob Ward responds to a Met Office announcement that the highest ever temperature in the UK has been recorded. Read more
Bob Ward discusses the potential death toll from the UK heatwave. Read more
Bob Ward speaks to the Mirror about some of the changes that will be necessary for the UK to achieve net-zero by 2050. Read more
Bob Ward suggests giving names to heatwaves as is currently done for storms. Read more
A failure by the media to convey the severity of the health risks from heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent... Read more
The announcement last week by Scottish Natural Heritage that it intends to strip a protected area of sand dunes of... Read more
Bob Ward comments on the heatwave across parts of Europe. Read more
The UK Parliament is due to pass the legislation this week that amends the long-term 2050 target for annual greenhouse... Read more
‘The Daily Telegraph’ newspaper in the UK has become the latest victim of Bjorn Lomborg’s global dissemination campaign of inaccurate... Read more
Bob Ward comments on the decision by the UK Prime Minister to put forward legislation that will commit the United Kingdom to eliminating its contribution to climate change by 2050. Read more
Bob Ward welcomes the news that the prime minister would talk to President Trump about climate change Read more
Bob Ward sets out five urgent actions for the UK Government in response to the Committee on Climate Change's new report on achieving net-zero emissions Read more
Over the past few weeks, climate change deniers have launched waves of desperate attacks against Sir David Attenborough, using innuendo and false rumour to try to discredit his new programmes on climate change. Here Bob Ward sets out evidence that refutes these unfounded allegations. Read more
Bob Ward refutes claims that polar bears rather than sea-ice decline were responsible for the mass walrus death scenes shown in the new Our Planet TV series. Read more
Bob Ward argues that the disastrous effects Cyclone Idai on Mozambique has shown the crucial importance of rich countries providing financial support to poor countries, to help them become more resilient to extreme weather and to adapt to climate change. Read more
Bob Ward speaks in a debate on American television channel CGTN (China Global Television Network). He spoke about scientific consensus on climate change and the implications for the defence community that climate change contributes to problems that themselves are driving conflict. Read more
The British echo chamber of climate change denial has been heavily used over the past couple of weeks as part... Read more
Letter to the FT, 1 March 2019 Read more
Asked whether warmer winters are a sign of climate change, Bob Ward comments that the climate was transforming towards warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers - such as last year's heatwave summer - with impacts on people and wildlife. Read more
ITV News report on whether the soaring temperatures, which have been described as “exceptional” by the Met Office and come at the end of a particularly mild winter, could be attributed to climate change and what the impact on British ecosystems might be. Read more
Bob Ward looks at how young people in the US are taking action on climate change through student strikes and legal cases. Read more
In our statement for this article, Bob Ward said: “People may find it very pleasant to be in warmer temperatures but they must also remember that it’s the same trend that saw hundreds of people die last summer as a result of overheating. Over the last five years we also had two record wet winters during which there was severe flooding. This is a sign of the fundamental and profound way that Britain’s climate is changing.” Read more
Climate change deniers in Britain are continuing to mislead the public and policy-makers by wrongly claiming that there has been... Read more
The Independent Press Standards Organisation has today published details of a decision that exposes a fundamental flaw in its process for dealing with complaints about fake news articles about climate change. Read more
‘The Daily Telegraph’ has been forced today to publish corrections to an error-filled article about climate and energy policy by... Read more
The 2018 Nobel Prize for Economics has focused a spotlight on the ongoing controversy surrounding estimates of the potential impacts... Read more
News - 2018
Letter from Bob Ward to the Financial Times, 28 December 2018 Read more
American climate researchers are today signalling their willingness to try even harder to warn Congress about the growing threat to... Read more
The UK Office for National Statistics has revealed that there were several hundred extra deaths in England and Wales during... Read more
The Guardian, 8 October Read more
BBC, 7 September 2018 Read more
On 27 August, the ‘New York Post’ published an article by Dr Bjorn Lomborg that was filled with misrepresentations and... Read more
DW, 24 August 2018 Read more
Heat deaths are preventable. No more excuses: we need better regulation and guidance to stop unsafe housing being built, says Bob Ward. Read more
On 6 July, 135 members of the climate change research community in the UK wrote to the Prime Minister, Theresa... Read more
On 26 July, ‘The Guardian’ published an article by its excellent environment editor, Damian Carrington, on a newly published report... Read more
Evening Standard, 7 August 2018 Read more
On 29 July 2018, ‘The Observer’ newspaper reported that one of Donald Trump’s golf resorts in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has “partially... Read more
Hundreds of people are likely to die over the next few days as heatwave conditions worsen across much of the... Read more
A new article in ‘The Australian’ exposes once again the hypocrisy of the newspaper’s editor, John Lehmann, and the shameless... Read more
The Hill, 9 July 2018 Read more
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has today demonstrated again that it is unwilling to take action against fake news... Read more
The Times, Fox News and Breitbart have still not admitted that a story about climate change on their websites is... Read more
An ode to Donald Trump published yesterday (2 June 2018) in ‘The Daily Telegraph’ praises his policy of inaction on... Read more
American climate change deniers have been making demonstrably false claims about sea level rise says Bob Ward. Read more
Bob Ward reflects on statement by the Mail on Sunday's which concedes that news stories by its reporter David Rose, published on 12 and 19 February 2017, were inaccurate and misleading, in breach of the Editors’ Code of Practice. Read more
Climate change researchers need to improve their public debating skills. That was my take-away message for the audience last week... Read more
On 20 February, the Global Warming Policy Foundation will be launching a new pamphlet at the House of Lords, attacking... Read more
Viscount Ridley, a self-proclaimed ‘lukewarmer’, has again suffered the embarrassment of promoting a study that concludes global warming is having... Read more
On 30 January, Viscount Ridley asked the following question during a debate in the House of Lords about climate-related financial... Read more
Daily Mail, 1 February 2018 Read more
President Trump again demonstrated that he is a major source of fake news about climate change. In an interview with Piers Morgan President Trump's answers revealed the very deep level of his ignorance. Read more
The Sunday Telegraph’ publish a column full of unchecked errors - showing how climate change deniers exploit weak editorial standards and mislead readers. Read more
The UK Government has this week released new projections which confirm that its Clean Growth Strategy cannot currently achieve the Fourth and Fifth Carbon Budgets through reductions in domestic annual emissions of greenhouse gases between 2023 and 2032. Read more
News - 2017
Response to Matt Ridley's column in 'The Times' in which he attacked David Attenborough's 'Blue Planet II' programme on the BBC for highlighting scientific evidence about climate change. Read more
The Guardian, 23 November 2017 Read more
Bloomberg News, 18 November Read more
The ‘Today’ programme on BBC Radio 4 has again demonstrated that its editor and producers are too easily fooled by the inaccurate and misleading claims of climate change deniers says Bob Ward. Read more
Business Green, 27 October 2017 Read more
In this commentary Bob Ward says prominent climate sceptics in the UK, including Matt Ridley and Graham Stringer MP, are continuing to misrepresent the facts. This is despite Matt Ridley admitting in The Times that he and Lord Lawson “have so far largely lost the argument on climate change”. Read more
A British newspaper admitted that a controversial climate article from February was misleading and inaccurate. The story’s claims have received at least 752,300 shares, likes, comments, or other interactions on social media. Read more
A member of the UK’s House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology this week launched a disgraceful media... Read more
The Hill, 23 September 2017 Read more
Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications, looks at the background to the decision by the UK newspaper regulator against an article published by the Mail on Sunday. Read more
The New York Times, 16 September 2017 Read more
Bob Ward assesses attempts made by Richard Littlejohn and Matt Ridley to deny any link between climate change and Hurricane Irma. Read more
BBC Mundo (Spanish language), 11 September 2017 Read more
The Guardian, 10 September 2017 Read more
Yesterday was the third anniversary of one of the most inaccurate and misleading articles about climate change impacts on the... Read more
The Independent, 29 August 2017 Read more
It has been a bad few days for the BBC and Radio 4’s flagship ‘Today’ programme after it was again... Read more
Sky News, 6 August 2017 Read more
Sky News, 5 August 2017 Read more
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with Michael Gove MP at the helm, must focus on building... Read more
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has today published a disappointing, but not surprising, decision about a number of inaccurate... Read more
Later today, California’s Senate will vote on new laws to tackle climate change, including an extension to its successful cap-and-trade... Read more
CNBC, 7 July 2017 Read more
The Hill, 2 July 2017 Read more
In this commentary article Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications, says the lethal risks of extreme weather in the UK are under-reported and government must stop cutting public awareness funds. Read more
Daily Star, 4 June 2017 Read more
This commentary looks at the reasons given by President Trump for his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Read more
President Trump is due to make an announcement later today about whether he intends to withdraw the United States from... Read more
Science Magazine, 1 June 2017 Read more
BBC News, 1 June 2017 Read more
Environment researchers at UK universities are being wrongly gagged during the General Election campaign because of inconsistent and over-zealous applications... Read more
Independent, 19 May 2017 Read more
Matt Ridley in his column in 'The Times' has used a set of ‘alternative facts’ to urge President Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change says Bob Ward in this commentary article. Read more
The Scottish Sun, 19 April Read more
The Telegraph, 18 April 2017 Read more
Daily Star, 18 April 2017 Read more
Express, 16 April 2017 Read more
Independent, 13 April 2017 Read more
I warned scientists in Washington DC last week that climate researchers need to repel the attacks being launched against them... Read more
US President Donald Trump is signing an executive order to undo the Clean Power Plan intended to bring down carbon emissions. His executive order will overturn key parts of the Obama administration's plan to tackle climate change. Read more
Bob Ward comments on President Trump’s executive order on ‘Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth’. Read more
FT, 21 March 2017 Read more
Letter from Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications, to The Times in regard to allegations of serious misconduct by climate researchers that were made by Matt Ridley in the newspaper. Read more
An attack by the ‘The Mail on Sunday’ on the accuracy and integrity of a recent paper on global warming is based on inaccurate and misleading claims says Bob Ward in this commentary. Read more
Bloomberg, 31 January 2017 Read more
The Independent, 30 January 2016 Read more
Channel 4 News, 30 January 2017 Read more
Efforts by the Trump administration to interrupt the provision of reliable information could affect policy-making in the UK and across the world, writes Bob Ward in this LSE Business Review Blog. Read more
The Hill, 27 January 2017 Read more
The Independent, 18 January 2017 Read more
The Guardian, 18 January 2017 Read more
Washington Post, 16 January 2017 Read more
A letter from 100 members of the climate change research community in the UK has been sent to the Prime Minister, Theresa May, to highlight potential threats and opportunities from Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States. Read more
The Guardian, 15 January 2o16 Read more
News - 2016
It is vitally important that the public debate about the UK’s options for managing the risks of climate change is... Read more
Letter to The Times, 14 December 2016 Read more
The Independent, 13 December 2016 Read more
Despite concerns about future US policy, following the election of Donald Trump, the COP22 summit in Marrakech made solid progress towards implementation of the Paris Agreement says Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications at the Institute. Read more
Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications, looks at the prospects for climate policy in the US under President-elect Trump. Read more
The UK’s most prominent climate change ‘sceptic’ has falsely alleged that an international group of researchers conspired to suppress their... Read more
The Guardian, 8 September 2016 Read more
The announcement that the US and China have both ratified the Paris Agreement is likely to make it more difficult for Donald Trump, if he becomes President, to renege on the international commitment on climate change made by Barack Obama’s administration. Read more
The Guardian, 3 September 2016 Read more
Bob Ward talks to BBC World Service’s ‘Newshour’ programme about the ratification of the Paris Agreement by China and the... Read more
Observer, 30 July Read more
Observer, 30 July Read more
The Hill, 29 July Read more
Bloomberg, 12 July Content only available to subscribers Read more
Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director at the Institute, explores the potential impact of the UK's vote to leave the EU for climate change policy. Read more
Washington Post, 24 June Read more
Telegraph, 22 May Read more
Independent, 19 April Read more
Guardian, 18 April Read more
Observer, 17 April Read more
Guardian, 10 April Read more
On 4 March 2016, the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the ESRC Centre for Climate... Read more
Nature, 26 February Read more
Express, 23 February Read more
Times, 23 February Read more
Guardian, 22 February Read more
A handful of campaigners who promote the use of fossil fuels are using newspaper articles to offer a deeply unfair... Read more
Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications, says editors of the Mail, Express, Times, Sun and Telegraph should put the interests of their readers first by reporting the real facts about global warming. Read more
Independent, 11 January Read more
Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications, examines the potential cost of recent floods in the UK. Read more
Independent, 18 December Read more
News - 2015
Quartz, 8 December Read more
8 December, Australia Plus Read more
France24, 2 December Read more
Financial Times, 1 December Read more
Guardian, 2 December Read more
Bloomberg, 30 November Content only available to subscribers Read more
Washington Post, 30 November Read more
Those opposed to tackling climate change are engaged in a last ditch attempt to prevent a new international agreement, writes Bob Ward, Director of Policy and Communications. Read more
Letter from Lord Stern to the FT responding to a letter from Matt Ridley disputing the role of fossil fuels in most of the 7m deaths from air pollution worldwide each year. Read more
Despite the scepticism of climate scientists it's still possible to stop global warming from busting the accepted limit, says Bob Ward Read more
Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director, criticises the UK Government for failing to effectively communicate climate change risks at a national and local level. Read more
BBC, 12 October Read more
Bob Ward (Policy and Communications Director) questions the analysis made by Richard Tol in a blog post where the later suggsted that the overall economic impacts of climate change might be positive. Read more
Huffington Post, 14 September Read more
Financial Times, 25 August Read more
Guardian, 20 August Read more
New Scientist, 17 August Read more
Sydney Morning Herald, 14 August Read more
ABC Australia, 12 August Read more
Times, 28 July Read more
There is a danger that the current tinkering to subsidies and taxes affecting renewables in the UK will result in incoherence that will hinder efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more
ITV News, 24 July Read more
Investment in low carbon technolgy, as advocated by Bill Gates, needs to be accompanied by carbon pricing policies agrues Institute Policy and Communications Director Bob Ward. Read more
A Dutch court on Wednesday (24 June) ordered the state to slash greenhouse gas emissions nationwide by at least 25% by 2020, in a case that could serve as a blueprint for activists around the world. Read more
NDTV, 24 June Read more
Guardian, 9 June Read more
The Guardian, 4 June Read more
Letter to the FT. Read more
Dr Benny Peiser, from the Global Warming Policy Foundation, has claims some surface temperature recordings used as the basis for global warming evidence are 'guessed at'. Includes a response from Bob Ward from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. Read more
Washington Post, 8 May Read more
Sydney Morning Herald, 4 May Read more
The Hill, 4 May Read more
Sky News Australia, 5 May This content is no longer available online. Read more
The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 May 2015 Read more
Yahoo News Germany, 4 May Read more
Washington Post, 4 May Read more
Daily Mail, 4 May Read more
The Independent, 4 May Read more
Commitments already made by world governments to cut carbon emissions aren’t enough to keep global warming below the crucial 2C target – but a strong deal is still possible in Paris, says economist Read more
Increased effects of climate change enable scientists to predict localised changes in weather, such as at least a 13-fold increase in record hot years in England Read more
Writing in The Guardian, Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director, criticises the Global Warming Policy Foundation, chaired by Lord Lawson, for creating fake controversy about evidence for rising global temperatures. Read more
The UK’s most prominent climate change denial group is launching an inquiry into the integrity of global surface temperature records. Read more
US confirms greenhouse gas emissions cuts proposals that will be ‘very tough’ to change, boosting prospects for a global climate change agreement at talks in Paris in December Read more
The Guardian, March 31 Read more
Independent, 30 March Read more
Independent Press Standards Organisation lets the Mail on Sunday’s misleading and incorrect climate claims stand Read more
A New Statesman opinion article by Policy and Communications Director, Bob Ward, argues that lobbying by UK climate change ‘sceptics’, even those with an apparently technical background, is motivated by politics. Read more
The Times, 20 March Read more
Times of India, 20 March Read more
Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean has fallen to the lowest recorded level for the winter season, according to US scientists. BBC News, 19 March Read more
Record low ice coverage this winter is caused by climate change and abnormally mild weather, scientists say. Read more
Nature, 24 February Read more
Bloomberg, 24 February Content only available to subscribers Read more
Scientific American, 24 February Read more
Reuters, 24 February Read more
The Guardian, 24 February Read more
Letter to the Financial Times, 19 February 2015 Read more
In the last ten years, China's CO2 emissions have surged — but experts argue that the whole world must show it how to both get rich and get greener Read more
Grimsby Telegraph This content is no longer available online. Read more
Record-breaking temperatures around the world last year made 2014 the hottest in more than a century, raising new concerns about global warming, US government scientists said yesterday. Read more
Daily Express Read more
US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirms last year was hottest globally since records began in 1880 Read more
Daily Mail Read more
Last year was globally the hottest on record, climate experts have confirmed Read more
Bob Ward argues opposition to carbon capture technology from divestment campaigners could prove misguided Read more
While the falling price of crude oil is giving consumers cheaper energy, it’s threatening long-term global pollution-control efforts. Read more
Daily Mail, 6 January Read more
According to the Met Office, the average temperature in 2014 was 9.9C (49.82F), warmer than any year since 1659. Read more
Last year was the UK's warmest since records began in 1910, figures from the Met Office was the warmest in the Central England Temperature series – the longest running temperature record in the world, stretching back to 1659. Read more
It may have not felt like it towards the end, but 2014 was the UK’s warmest year on record. Read more
The Independent, 5 January Read more
Things are hotting up for the UK, as official figures show 2014 was the warmest year since records began. Read more
Provisional figures show 2014 was hottest since 1910, and fourth wettest on record Read more
The Times of India, 5 January 2015 Read more
News - 2014
Financial Times, 18 December. Read more
A warning against the publication of columns promoting climate change denial.
Daily Mirror, 2 December Read more
World Health Organisation has exaggerated the number of deaths likely to be caused by global warming, according to a former US government adviser on climate change. Read more
Agreeing global deal to cut carbon emissions next year is only way to protect "way of life we take for granted", energy secretary says, ahead of UN climate change summit in Lima Read more
Television interview. Read more
British Prime Minister David Cameron and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have taken different approaches to climate change Read more
Scotland is on course to have the wettest year since records began 104 years ago, with four deluges expected this week alone. Read more
Unusually rainy November and December could make 2014 the wettest year since records began Read more
The former Chancellor is trying to turn science on its head to woo climate change "sceptics" from the Conservatives and Ukip. Read more
Herald Scotland, 5 November Read more
Belfast Telegraph, 5 November Read more
Met Office figures show that from January, 2014 was hottest since records began and saw second largest amount of rain Read more
The Independent, 5 November Read more
Carbon emissions must be cut completely by 2100 if the rate of global warming is to be slowed, a new report warns. Read more
Flooding, dangerous heatwaves, ill health and violent conflicts among likely risks if the world keeps burning fossil fuels at current rates, IPCC expected to say Read more
The Times, 1 Novmeber Read more
A pending U.N. report notes that a lack of fast action to combat global warming will lead to severe impacts Read more
Sydney Morning Herald, 20 October Read more
Government plan hopes to ensure that more agricultural land is dedicated to crops and food Read more
"Moderater Klimawandel kann förderlich für die Wirtschaft sein" - so stand es bislang im Uno-Klimabericht. Jetzt hat der Klimarat den Satz gestrichen. Seinen eigenen Prognosen traut er allerdings wenig. Read more
Controversial statement, that was based on faulty data taken from a report by economist Richard Tol, has been removed from the final version of the report Read more
Owen Paterson, until recently the environment secretary, will be speaking to the Global Warming Policy Foundation, a think tank known for its climate change scepticism. Bob Ward looks at what he will say. Read more
The former environment secretary will tell climate change sceptics this week that his party should adopt Ukip policies. Read more
Britain had its warmest weather between January and September this year since records began, according to new Met Office figures. Read more
2014 has managed to break records - according to the Met Office, the period from January to September this year was the warmest such period for the UK since records began in 1910. Read more
Global Warming Policy Foundation promoting political agenda rather than educational views, says Charity Commission Read more
Ex-Chancellor’s Global Warming Policy Foundation guilty of blurring fact and comment Read more
The Times, 26th September, 2014: Carbon dioxide emissions have less impact on the global average temperature than has been claimed... Read more
Huffington Post, 25th September, 2014: The New Climate Economy Report has been endorsed by a wide range of politicians, businesspeople... Read more
Bob Ward of the Grantham Institute argues Prof Richard Tol's denunciation of last week's landmark report is flawed Read more
A major international report published last week could be a game changer in the fierce political debate about climate change in the United States. Read more
Leaders must act together to reverse carbon emissions – or betray their children and future generations Read more
Bob Ward - Labour is facing a test of Ed Miliband's commitment to climate change ahead of its party conference later this month. Read more
THE UK has had the warmest and wettest first eight months of a year since records began a century ago, the Met Office confirmed yesterday. Read more
Neil Record and Nigel Vinson confirm their donations, and are both linked to thinktank that took funds from oil companies Read more
Urgent action needed to tackle man-made climate change, leaked report warns Read more
Climate change experts have called for greater action to reduce greenhouse gases after the Met Office confirmed Britain had seen the warmest first half of the year since records began Read more
Policy expert says figures showing January-July was the warmest since records began should increase urgency of efforts Read more
The UK has had the warmest weather since records began this year and the third highest amount of rain, according to figures from the Met Office. Read more
Britain has enjoyed the warmest period from January to July on record, the Met Office announced Read more
Including articles and comments from figures such as Matthew Ridley and Nigel Lawson without balance misleads the British public. Read more
Bob Ward argues that the recent White House report on potential economic impacts of delaying action on climate change underestimated these impacts. Read more
On climate change and other issues, parliamentarians are ignoring the evidence. Read more
Bob Ward on how staff at the Daily Mail recently marked Green Week. Read more
Bob Ward calls on newly appointed Environment Secretary Liz Truss to deliver a more coherent approach to climate adaptation Read more
The Guardian, 22 July 2014 Read more
Letter to the editor - London Evening Standard Read more
Just days after leaving office, former UK environment secretary agrees to deliver speech at Global Warming Policy Foundation Read more
Climate-sceptic charity the Global Warming Policy Foundation is to relaunch in September, after a complaint about its charitable status. Read more
Decisive action is needed to curb Nigel Lawson's Global Warming Policy Foundation, which lobbies against climate change mitigation, says policy expert Bob Ward Read more
Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment reflects on the potential impact of the new intake of ministers on future policy. Read more
Correspondence between Bob Ward and Congressman Lamar Smith Read more
Over the past few months, the Global Warming Policy Foundation has been strongly pushing a campaign pamphlet on 'The trouble with climate change', written by Lord Lawson of Blaby. It provides a fascinating demonstration of the trouble with climate change denial. Read more
MPR News (audio broadcast) Read more
Bob Ward argues misleading comparisons and assumptions are being used to inflate the economic costs of climate change policies Read more
BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit concludes interview with Lord Lawson and Professor Sir Brian Hoskins on climate change and floods broke guidelines on due accuracy Read more
Africa’s struggle to cope with the impacts of climate change has received a major boost this month with the very... Read more
The party should face a far more rigorous examination of its unscientific beliefs. New Statesman Read more
In previous commentaries on 2 April and 15 April, I described my ongoing efforts to have some small but significant... Read more
A new article by Bjorn Lomborg, which has been made available to newspapers around the world by Project Syndicate, provides... Read more
Financial Times – subscription required. Read more
In a previous commentary, I outlined my interactions with Professor Richard Tol about some errors in his work. I provide here further... Read more
With the publication this week of the contribution of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to... Read more
Contrary to your headline “Climate change: the official prophecy of doom” (18 March), it would appear that the latest Intergovernmental... Read more
Financial Times – registration required. Read more
Big flaws in the BBC’s news coverage of climate change have been exposed over the past few weeks, with clear... Read more
Bid by Lord Lawson to question the link between global warming and extreme weather is undermined by irrefutable evidence. The... Read more
It is still too early to fully assess the economic impacts of the storms and floods that have been gripping... Read more
Financial Times – registration required. Read more
Earlier this week, I wrote a blog for the ‘Environment’ web pages of ‘The Guardian’ expressing my concern about an... Read more
Leading sceptics getting big slots to reject global warming indicates a growing climate denial bias at Westminster. The Guardian Read more
Homeowners’ deal doesn’t take into account the increasing risk from rising sea and shifts in rainfall due to climate change.... Read more
News - 2013
Over the past year, Greig and Greaves have been running a campaign to mislead its readers about the causes and... Read more
Business leaders, politicians, environmentalists and academic experts are gathering in Edinburgh today to boost radical efforts to protect the environment... Read more
Warm sea temperatures can cause typhoons to strengthen, and the North Pacific has been heating up, like the rest of... Read more
Whether the public believe that human activities are causing global warming has much to do with how it is reported... Read more
The Prime Minister’s decision to review green energy taxes and regulations is an understandable response to heightened public concern about... Read more
Although strides have been made in tackling some world problems, there are many more that still pose a serious risk... Read more
This week’s issue of ‘The Spectator’ features an article by Lord Ridley, the Conservative hereditary peer, which addresses an important... Read more
Bob Ward: Lord Lawson’s group Global Warming Policy Foundation is attempting to distort media debate on climate change the Guardian Read more
The IPCC report is likely to prompt many governments to take more action to tackle climate change. It is perhaps... Read more
Has the Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, read a different report to the rest of us? (“Climate change? People get very... Read more
Private investors need to be persuaded to spend billions of pounds to create a cleaner and more efficient power sector... Read more
‘The Mail on Sunday’ is facing humiliation after two articles published earlier this month which attacked the evidence for climate... Read more
Bob Ward argues a recent Conservative attack on the Climate Change Act will make worrying reading for green businesses Business... Read more
One of the most important scientific documents ever published makes clear the scale of the risks posed by greenhouse gases.... Read more
There are too many uncertainties to be putting all our faith into fracking — more incentives need to be available... Read more
Bob Ward argues recent flawed arguments attacking green policy undermine paper’s often excellent environmental coverage. Business Green Read more
Watch the video Thinking Aloud: Climate Change on Yahoo. Bob Ward from the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, and Matthew... Read more
The corporation is sacrificing accuracy by being impartial between facts and fictions. The New Statesman Read more
‘More than 100 countries, including those responsible for over 80 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, have pledged... Read more
The new Met Office paper this week casts serious doubt on the low estimates of climate sensitivity. It points out... Read more
This week’s issue of The Spectator opens up a new front in the magazine’s war against climate science, but unwittingly... Read more
Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute, received a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Jeremy... Read more
While President Obama’s personal leadership on climate change is extremely welcome, the measures he outlined are simply not sufficient given... Read more
The Big Meadows fire has already engulfed more than 600 acres of forest and could rage for several more days.... Read more
Bob Ward argues business leaders should be worried at the sight of an environment secretary who is responsible for climate... Read more
Governments around the world have just received one of the most important scientific reports ever written. It provides the starkest... Read more
Re: To heat or eat? That’s the EU’s question, Column, May 17 As a dual British-Canadian citizen living in London,... Read more
‘There is already strong and mounting evidence of changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events around the... Read more
Peter Lilley hypes up shale gas with poor analysis, woolly thinking and an apparent hatred for environmentalists This week’s issue... Read more
Bob Ward: The new national curriculum provide a less in-depth introduction to climate change, and misses out vital information about... Read more
The party’s official energy policy is an incoherent mixture of anti-environmentalism and a disregard for scientific evidence The Guardian Read more
As part of Climate Week (4-10 March 2013), Institute Policy and Communications Director, Bob Ward, will be participating in an... Read more
The right-wing press is attempting to fool the public into believing that its opposition to green policies is based on... Read more
Bob Ward: In the UK, wealthy rightwing donors also finance campaigns against policies to reduce greenhouse gases the Guardian Read more
The Mayor’s suggestion that we are heading for a “mini Ice Age”shows that he does not understand the basic science... Read more
One of the more remarkable aspects of the UK media’s shambolic reporting last week of the Met Office’s latest short-term... Read more
The Royal Meteorological Society must step forward to demonstrate the leadership that the profession so badly needs The Guardian Read more
Don’t be surprised by the unprecedented weather we’re seeing across the globe. Climate scientists have been warning us about the... Read more
News - 2012
It is perhaps no surprise that a climate change ‘sceptic’ has overnight leaked a draft copy of the volume prepared... Read more
This was an example of British leadership in the international arena and demonstrated the enormous amount of ‘soft power’ that... Read more
The new Energy Bill, which was introduced into Parliament on 29 November, has provoked some criticism for laying out plans... Read more
Green shoots I took it as a sure sign that we were in the grip of a severe bear market... Read more
Letters: The review’s main conclusion, that the risks of inaction on climate change are far greater than the costs of... Read more
David Rose loves to tell readers of the ‘The Mail on Sunday’ that global warming ‘stopped’ in the mid-1990s. On... Read more
[Re: We just need the political will to reduce destructive energy prices, Friday] Matthew Sinclair’s long rant against climate change... Read more
Major cuts in the amount of funding that the Coalition Government is investing in the UK’s world class science base... Read more
The Global Warming Policy Foundation was launched by Lord Lawson of Blaby in November 2009 to lobby against efforts to... Read more
The Australian newspaper proved last week that the echo chamber of climate change denial is not restricted to the United... Read more
There has been much confusion ahead of the next round of international negotiations on climate change, which start at the... Read more
On Thursday, Boris Johnson will host the second of the Mayor of London 2012 Debates, which he claims are “London’s... Read more
It is now more than a year since the BBC Trust published a seminal report on the impartiality of the... Read more
‘A responsible and effective approach to managing the risks of climate change requires action in advance’ Sir, Matt Ridley’s rather... Read more
From Mr Bob Ward. Sir, Your excellent editorial “Learning to live in a changing climate” (July 2) was quite right... Read more
Bob Ward: The Environment Agency has warned the UK to expect more floods but its advice seems to be falling... Read more
A strident campaign has been mounted over the past couple of years to promote shale gas as a ‘game-changing’ new... Read more
More Evidence That the World’s Biggest Newspaper Website is Misleading its Readers About Climate Change – The Huffington Post The... Read more
An assistant professor of geochemistry at Syracuse University is the latest victim of the echo chamber of climate change denial... Read more
The Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practice and ethics of the Press has mainly been focusing mainly on issues arising from the alleged hacking of phones by journalists at some national newspapers. But the Inquiry would perform a great service for the public interest if it also investigates the way that some parts of the media are choosing to cover the issue of climate change. Read more
The Wall Street Journal last month published the latest in a series of inaccurate and misleading articles about climate change... Read more
Bob Ward: The documents show how groups play up controversy to undermine confidence in well-established scientific findings the Guardian Read more
Bob Ward: The tables have been well and truly turned in “deniergate”, the leak of documents from a key climate-sceptic... Read more
Self-proclaimed climate change 'sceptics' have for the past few years been recycling the myth that anthropogenic global warming has 'stopped'. But these 'sceptics' always fail to point out is that, based on their logic, manmade global warming has actually 'stopped' nine times since 1970, in 1972, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1995, 1996 and 1997. And they fail to mention that the underlying anthropogenic warming trend is clear and unambiguous when temperature data for the past four decades are taken into account. Read more
News - 2011
A recent exchange of letters has revealed the tactics which so-called climate change ‘sceptics’ from the Global Warming Policy Foundation... Read more
Recent editions of the right-wing magazine The Spectator have helped to clearly expose the utterly farcical failure of self-regulation of... Read more
The final episode of Frozen Planet featured narrator Sir David Attenborough as he explained the ways in which shrinking ice... Read more
Financial Times – registration is required. Read more
The propaganda machine of self-proclaimed climate change “sceptics” has been in overdrive in the run-up to the United Nations summit... Read more
The element of choice makes the lottery okay; turning up the heat in the climate debate; and restore British nursing... Read more
Bob Ward: The former chancellor is an avowed climate sceptic – and the ‘facts’ he repeats are demonstrably inaccurate the... Read more
Bob Ward: The Daily Mail’s editor ignores the rules when he chooses to promote his own ideological views over the... Read more
Bob Ward: Documentary highlights how potential environmental damage has been disregarded because of the perceived benefits to the local economy... Read more
A new paper by scientists at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, has been enthusiastically seized upon by some... Read more
Shouldn’t Mr Gove and his advisers take a few tutorials on the history of climate change science, and then re-consider... Read more
There was a startling demonstration last week of how quickly messages of climate change denial can spread from the United... Read more
With the Republican Party and a good many Democrats currently opposed to sanctioning any meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,... Read more
The BBC Trust will tomorrow (20 July) publish its long-awaited report on impartiality in the Corporation’s coverage of science. Self-proclaimed... Read more
Climate scientists often berate journalists for producing misleading articles about their work, but sometimes the research community should share the... Read more
Online article no longer available. Read more
It is the story that self-proclaimed climate change ‘sceptics’ have been hoping to keep quiet. A journal paper that purported... Read more
SIR – Your article, “Advancing coloured people?” (June 25th), ignored the fact that, for months, the NAACP tried to avoid... Read more
The event will discuss 'Impact' on Tuesday 5 July 2011 at Imperial College London. Science Question Time is an exciting new venture between the Biochemical Society, the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) and staff at Imperial College London. Read more
Michael Gove’s attack on the secondary school examination system is ill-timed and his sometimes valid criticisms of science teaching are... Read more
Michael Gove’s attack on the secondary school examination system is ill-timed and his sometimes valid criticisms of science teaching are... Read more
Nation has cause to be angry Unfortunately, Sean O’Grady’s perception of rioting Greeks as “a spoilt child’s tantrums” (22 June)... Read more
Bob Ward: The Daily Mail and General Trust is reducing emissions while the paper continues to publish the views of... Read more
The basic scientific facts that underpin climate change science must be taught in schools – future debate depends on it... Read more
A leading article in the 16 May edition of the Washington Post issues a blunt challenge to candidates lining up... Read more
Last week’s election results in England, Scotland and Wales demonstrated that climate change denial is still not a vote winner,... Read more
Fewer than one in six people think that government funding for science should be cut in favour of other areas... Read more
The Global Warming Policy Foundation has published a page on its website, dated 2 February 2011, and written by Dr... Read more
Britain’s most prominent climate change sceptic, Lord Lawson of Blaby, has been encouraging audiences over the past few weeks to... Read more
Former chancellor claims the worst possible impacts of unchecked global warming ‘would not be disastrous’. The Sunday Times – subscription... Read more
The front cover of the 19 February 2011 edition of The Spectator magazine trumpeted an article with two headlines ‘The truth about... Read more
Last week’s budget presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer did not mention the science budget allocations, but among the... Read more
The “Climategate” saga still rumbles on. The British House of Commons science and technology committee in January published the final... Read more
Vince Cable, the Labour Party and the unions will be rejoicing as another nail goes into the coffin of UK... Read more
Sceptics too often go unchallenged when they make inaccurate and misleading statements on BBC programmes. The Guardian Read more
Self-proclaimed climate change 'sceptics' are resorting to desperate measures in their efforts to confuse the public about the causes and consequences of global warming. Read more
A new survey showing how public opinion in Norway has been affected by controversies surrounding climate science may also have... Read more
Sir, The closure of Pfizer’s research centre in Kent (Reports, February 2) will deal yet another blow to the UK’s... Read more
Yesterday’s announcement that 2010 tied for the warmest year ever recorded on Earth was ignored by nearly all UK media... Read more
The Charity Commission indulges “charities” which openly admit their financial support of groups linked to terrorist organisations. The Telegraph Read more
News - 2010
You might be forgiven for thinking that today’s announcement of how the science budget will be divided up is good... Read more
Bob Ward: Like many deniers of man-made global warming, Prof Carter’s views may say more about his politics than scientific... Read more
The gushing responses from the some members of the British science community over the past week may have led you... Read more
Public spending on research should be increased. Telegraph.co.uk Read more
It was somewhat startling to see in August’s Geoscientist a glowing review of The Hockey Stick Illusion – Global warming... Read more
Bob Ward says those who seek to reinterpret the science of climate change often have minimal publication records. Publication involves... Read more
Financial Times – registration is required. Read more
The Brussels elite, which is relentlessly pursuing its ideal of “ever closer union” as enshrined in the Treaty of Rome,... Read more
The Guardian, 2 September 2010 Read more
Bob Ward: Previous mistakes mean Andrew Montford is not the right man to lead an inquiry into the UEA climate... Read more
Letters are welcome via e-mail to letters@economist.com Climate-change thinking SIR – Your article “Flawed scientists” (July 10th) was uncharacteristically… The... Read more
Bob Ward: Monckton’s use of Britain’s former PM illustrates that climate denialism is about politics, not science the Guardian Read more
The Times, 1 June 2010 Online article no longer available Read more
THE controversies swirling around the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit (CRU)... Read more
Just as leading US experts give their clearest warning about emissions, 43 UK scientists prompt Royal Society to rethink the... Read more
One of the biggest challenges facing David Willetts, the new minister for universities and science, is to ensure that the... Read more
Global warming thinktank has made exactly the kind minor factual error that would have been seized on by sceptics. The... Read more
The Times, 29 January 2010 Article no longer available online Read more
Bob Ward: Attempts to dig up an old academic row in order to create the impression of an IPCC under... Read more
Bob Ward: An erroneous report over Himalayan glaciers disappearing in 25 years is regrettable, but the overall picture remains clear... Read more
News - 2009
As new data shows world temperatures are rising, Bob Ward from the Grantham Research Institute says we should stop being... Read more
Bob Ward: The ‘expert sceptic’ is a mining geologist whose academic credibility is based on a book riddled with dodgy... Read more
Bob Ward: Despite a complete lack of evidence, the leaked emails hysteria has encouraged more deniers to emerge from the... Read more
Bob Ward: Another skirmish has broken out in the long-running battle between climate scientists and so-called sceptics, and this one... Read more
The Times, 17 November 2009. Online article no longer available. Read more
Bob Ward: A huge show of popular support should empower our political leaders to reach a wise and visionary agreement... Read more
ExxonMobil should keep its promise by ending its financial support for lobby groups that mislead the public about climate change,... Read more