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.
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
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 […]
The climate story is everywhere. So why isn’t it in the news?
A survey of journalists and production staff across UK public service media says climate reporting needs new approaches. Former Sky News head John Ryley explores what the findings tell us about newsroom priorities, audience needs and the future of climate journalism.
During the hottest May day on record, what did UK TV and radio news focus on?
Climate News Tracker analysed 97 UK TV and radio programmes during the record breaking May 2026 heatwave to understand what information audiences received about the heatwave, its health impacts and its links to climate change.
Landmark climate adaptation report broke through in the morning but vanished from late evening news
Climate News Tracker analysed how 25 UK TV and radio programmes covered the Climate Change Committee’s Well Adapted UK report, which warned that climate inaction could cost the UK economy up to £260bn a year by mid-century.
