Bob Ward

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

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

Abstract Large discrepancies persist between projections of the physical impacts of climate change and economic damage estimates. These discrepancies increase... Read more

A response to ‘Impact of Current Climate Proposals’ Bjorn Lomborg Global Policy, Volume 7, Issue 1, pages 125–126, February 2016 Read more

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

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

Ward, B. 2013. In: ‘Weather’, v.68, p.16-17. Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Executive summary The Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are contemplating a range of goals... Read more

Big Issue, 28 September 2023 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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