Former Head of the BBC Newsroom and Controller of BBC World Service Mary Hockaday argues that extreme weather is giving journalists clear opportunities to explain the climate story, while new audience research suggests the public wants that context. by Mary Hockaday (Former Head of the BBC Newsroom and World Service controller) News crews have been […]
We partner with the University of Exeter to publish original research that consistently tracks UK broadcast reporting on climate change, for the first time.
Using newly-developed AI technology, we track BBC, ITN, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky News TV and radio news bulletins and online news services.
Register below to be the first to receive insights from Climate News Tracker.
What we track
1
The quantity of daily climate news reports.
2
The effectiveness of climate reporting against a consistent set of criteria.
3
Opportunities for a potential climate angle in neighbouring subjects such as economics or health.
4
Accuracy in climate information reporting.
Insights
Half the UK public want news reports to explain climate link to extreme weather
As heatwaves, wildfires and drought dominate summer headlines, new Climate News Tracker research finds half the UK public want news organisations to explain the climate link when scientific evidence supports it, while a further 20% want climate change central to every extreme-weather story.
The UK’s drought became a bigger news story once it was declared, but not a better-explained one
Coverage surged after drought was officially declared, but online and social video audiences received far less explanation of its causes and long-term solutions.
Climate coverage hit a 2026 high, but only because of two heatwaves
Climate coverage reached its highest level of 2026 during two June heatwaves, but the rise was short-lived. Climate News Tracker’s latest quarterly analysis finds extreme weather remained the only story that consistently broke through, while other climate stories with clear news pegs received little attention.
What audiences learned about Europe’s July wildfires on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
Climate News Tracker analysed how UK public service media organisations covered Europe’s July 2026 wildfires across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Audiences consistently received vivid reporting on the destruction caused by the fires, but were far less likely to hear why conditions for them are becoming more common.
How people got their news shaped what they learned about the June heatwave
While warnings and health advice came through reliably everywhere, the climate science behind the heat was explained least often in the formats younger audiences rely on most for their news.
How news websites and live blogs covered the June 2026 heatwave
Heat warnings dominated, but articles were far less likely to explain what those warnings meant or connect the record temperatures to climate change.
Record heat, record warnings: What UK TV and radio told audiences during the June heatwave
The June 2026 heatwave brought record temperatures, only the second-ever red extreme heat warning, and unprecedented pressure on hospitals and emergency services. Climate News Tracker analysed 188 TV and radio programmes to understand what information audiences received as the story unfolded.
Public service news accounts rarely linked the June heatwave to climate change on Instagram and TikTok
Climate News Tracker analysed how the June 2026 heatwave was covered on Instagram and TikTok by the UK’s major public service media organisations. Compared with TV and radio, social media posts were far less likely to link the record temperatures to climate change.
Nearly nine in ten journalists and production staff say new approaches are needed in climate reporting
Climate News Tracker and Kantar survey finds strong engagement with climate journalism, but concerns that current coverage is not fully meeting audience needs by Climate News Tracker Nearly nine in ten journalists and production staff working across the UK’s public service media organisations believe new approaches are needed to climate reporting to better engage […]
