Angela Francis
@angelaisfranc.bsky.social
Director of Policy Solutions WWF UK, into economics, trade, innovation and environment policy, opinions my own.
Bit of my heart always in Germany, Derbyshire, Scotland, Canada, East of England, Trinidad, Jamaica and on a rugby pitch. Now in London.
Bit of my heart always in Germany, Derbyshire, Scotland, Canada, East of England, Trinidad, Jamaica and on a rugby pitch. Now in London.
Pinned
How to get everyone to care about a green economy
How do you get the environment to the top of everyone's priority list? You can't, says climate advocate Angela Francis -- but you can get them to care about improving their lives. In this pragmatic ta...
www.ted.com
I did TEDxLondonWomen a while back and it got picked up by TEDtalks and now has over 1.7million views. Coolest thing that ever happened to me! Especially good that I was talking about action on climate and nature dealing with populism and that keeps getting more relevant www.ted.com/talks/angela...
Thank you @tobyperkinsmp.bsky.social and @commonseac.parliament.uk. Yes, we need to build more homes, but protections for nature are not stopping that, and ripping up regulations will not give us resilient liveable communities or the construction sector we need.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Thank you @tobyperkinsmp.bsky.social and @commonseac.parliament.uk. Yes, we need to build more homes, but protections for nature are not stopping that, and ripping up regulations will not give us resilient liveable communities or the construction sector we need.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
"Good politics recognises that public opinion is not a fixed entity but is malleable, not necessarily by rational debate alone. Labour likes to present itself as businesslike. But decent businesses advertise their products, respect their customers, and don’t shout about the merits of their rivals."
New Substack: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe... Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
On incompetence
Much of our political culture is fundamentally incompetent.
chrisdillow.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
"Good politics recognises that public opinion is not a fixed entity but is malleable, not necessarily by rational debate alone. Labour likes to present itself as businesslike. But decent businesses advertise their products, respect their customers, and don’t shout about the merits of their rivals."
Reposted by Angela Francis
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
Reposted by Angela Francis
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
I love to see some analysis of how long Trumponomics can defy gravity, but @rafaelbehr.bsky.social is right, it won't work in the UK and good if any attempts to try it see growth via tax cuts and more austerity kicked into touch.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Economic policy is one thing Nigel Farage can’t crib from the Donald Trump playbook | Rafael Behr
The Maga model, based on the US’s exorbitant market privileges, can’t be imported to Britain. That’s going to be a problem for Reform UK, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I love to see some analysis of how long Trumponomics can defy gravity, but @rafaelbehr.bsky.social is right, it won't work in the UK and good if any attempts to try it see growth via tax cuts and more austerity kicked into touch.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Ad stats were clearly being misinterpreted, 51% of ads featuring black people is not the same as 51% of people in ads being black! All v.obvious but helpful if stats had incl white people featured, as that would likely 95%+, and if reporting said people liked inclusive ads and they worked.
Let’s take a look at the whole “there are too many black people on TV” thing, shall we?
After Pochin claimed Black people in TV adverts “made her mad”, all her supporters tried to use 👇🏼 as their excuse for why she was somehow justified in her overt racism.
Spoiler - she isn’t! 🤨
🧵
1/22
After Pochin claimed Black people in TV adverts “made her mad”, all her supporters tried to use 👇🏼 as their excuse for why she was somehow justified in her overt racism.
Spoiler - she isn’t! 🤨
🧵
1/22
November 3, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Ad stats were clearly being misinterpreted, 51% of ads featuring black people is not the same as 51% of people in ads being black! All v.obvious but helpful if stats had incl white people featured, as that would likely 95%+, and if reporting said people liked inclusive ads and they worked.
Great analysis of national politics'struggle to cope with global problems by @davidheniguk.bsky.social here. Sovereignty and nativism are massive distraction from what nations should be doing to shape and direct markets for the benefit of citizens...choice balanced with control.
Obviously a lot of politicians and media are struggling to cope with a modern trade war when they still think governments created globalisation and can now undo that.
And we'll have continued turbulence until there's a better understanding of today's world. ecipe.org/blog/alterna...
And we'll have continued turbulence until there's a better understanding of today's world. ecipe.org/blog/alterna...
Finding an Alternative to Populist Trade Policies
Even before the chaos of Trump’s second term, bringing back factory jobs and talking about tariffs were the predominant trade policy discussions in many countries. While these clearly have some sign
ecipe.org
October 12, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Great analysis of national politics'struggle to cope with global problems by @davidheniguk.bsky.social here. Sovereignty and nativism are massive distraction from what nations should be doing to shape and direct markets for the benefit of citizens...choice balanced with control.
Excellent description of the box the Chancellor has put herself in. More focus on productivity is good way out. Smart use of public banks, windfall taxes and regulation on those profiting from dirty industries of yesterday and support to those investing in growing green businesses and jobs we need.
I've written about the UK's productivity problem for @theobserveruk.bsky.social. Come for the comparison of the UK economy to a hedgehog, stay for the comparison of Rachel Reeves to a Dickens character.
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
In Britain’s ‘hedgehog economy’, growth is wild, spiky – ...
The spines on the OBR’s charts are a signal to the chancellor to pull all the levers to improve our growth prospects
observer.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Excellent description of the box the Chancellor has put herself in. More focus on productivity is good way out. Smart use of public banks, windfall taxes and regulation on those profiting from dirty industries of yesterday and support to those investing in growing green businesses and jobs we need.
Regularising windfall taxes on oil and gas is not only necessary to fund the transition to a safer greener economy, it would also make the transition easier because each price spike wouldn't keep create major financial incentive to keep us all dependent on polluting and precarious fossil fuels
📢 must-read new paper! 👇
🚨NEW PAPER🚨
We all know the 2022 energy price shock fueled the cost of living crisis. It also caused a profit bonanza for the very rich. We show the US reaped the largest profits ($377bn) of any country. 50% went to the richest 1%, only 1% to the bottom 50%. A🧵 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We all know the 2022 energy price shock fueled the cost of living crisis. It also caused a profit bonanza for the very rich. We show the US reaped the largest profits ($377bn) of any country. 50% went to the richest 1%, only 1% to the bottom 50%. A🧵 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Regularising windfall taxes on oil and gas is not only necessary to fund the transition to a safer greener economy, it would also make the transition easier because each price spike wouldn't keep create major financial incentive to keep us all dependent on polluting and precarious fossil fuels
Reposted by Angela Francis
Biofuel is a small but growing part of global soybean use. Here in the US, a number of recent policy moves (higher blending mandates, tax credits, curbs on foreign biofuel imports and feedstocks) are likely to result in MORE THAN HALF of all US soybean oil being burned as biofuel next year.
Biofuel demand to soak up more than half of US soyoil production next year, USDA says
U.S. biofuel makers will consume more than half of all soybean oil produced in the United States next year as a recent flurry of federal policy moves has transformed the sector, including higher blending mandates and curbs on foreign biofuel imports and feedstocks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday.
www.reuters.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Biofuel is a small but growing part of global soybean use. Here in the US, a number of recent policy moves (higher blending mandates, tax credits, curbs on foreign biofuel imports and feedstocks) are likely to result in MORE THAN HALF of all US soybean oil being burned as biofuel next year.
Reposted by Angela Francis
Really interesting by @hannecl.bsky.social and Jon Stone. It was always the case that the 'Singapore on Thames' lot were totally out of touch with the views of them majority of Brits. We are in fact quite European in our attitudes on regulation www.politico.eu/article/uk-w...
October 3, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Really interesting by @hannecl.bsky.social and Jon Stone. It was always the case that the 'Singapore on Thames' lot were totally out of touch with the views of them majority of Brits. We are in fact quite European in our attitudes on regulation www.politico.eu/article/uk-w...
Reposted by Angela Francis
WSJ: "President Trump is considering providing $10 billion or more in aid to U.S. farmers as the agriculture sector warns of economic fallout from his far-reaching tariffs, according to people familiar with the discussions."
October 3, 2025 at 7:29 AM
WSJ: "President Trump is considering providing $10 billion or more in aid to U.S. farmers as the agriculture sector warns of economic fallout from his far-reaching tariffs, according to people familiar with the discussions."
Reposted by Angela Francis
“a third of greenhouse gas emissions come from the global food system and taming the climate crisis is impossible without changing how the world eats. Food production is also the biggest cause of the destruction of wildlife and forests and the pollution of water.”
Change your diet.
Change your diet.
Thinking of European Commission staff behind the Farm to Fork Strategy when they'll read the new #EATLancet report.... They had it all right, and it's a real shame the EU's blueprint for healthy, fair and environmentally friendly #FoodSystems was derailed.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Planetary health diet’ could save 40,000 deaths a day, landmark report finds
Diet allows modest meat consumption and would also slash food-related climate emissions by half, says report by 70 leading experts from 35 countries
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:32 AM
“a third of greenhouse gas emissions come from the global food system and taming the climate crisis is impossible without changing how the world eats. Food production is also the biggest cause of the destruction of wildlife and forests and the pollution of water.”
Change your diet.
Change your diet.
Worrying this is not receiving more coverage as British voters rightly reject politicians linked with Putin's Russia.
September 27, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Worrying this is not receiving more coverage as British voters rightly reject politicians linked with Putin's Russia.
Reposted by Angela Francis
Our speakers will address key disinformation points—as well as emphasising the evidence showing that emergency action will make ordinary people better off, which @angelaisfranc.bsky.social speaks really powerfully on.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbf...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbf...
How to get everyone to care about a green economy | Angela Francis
YouTube video by TED
www.youtube.com
September 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Our speakers will address key disinformation points—as well as emphasising the evidence showing that emergency action will make ordinary people better off, which @angelaisfranc.bsky.social speaks really powerfully on.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbf...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbf...
Good! And now Starmer and all party leaders who have condemned those stoking violence and division should call on Badenoch and Farage do the same. Whatever they do,condem or not, it will be electoral damaging for them
EXC - Keir Starmer condemns far right racism and violence at yesterday's march
Says there will be "no surrender" of British flag to those who promote hate
Our story here - www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Says there will be "no surrender" of British flag to those who promote hate
Our story here - www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Britain will ‘never surrender flag’ to far-right protesters, Starmer says
PM condemns attacks against police, racist intimidation of minorities and use of flag to instil fear
www.theguardian.com
September 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Good! And now Starmer and all party leaders who have condemned those stoking violence and division should call on Badenoch and Farage do the same. Whatever they do,condem or not, it will be electoral damaging for them
Reposted by Angela Francis
Shot, chaser
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
September 14, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Shot, chaser
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
Reposted by Angela Francis
Ian Dunt on how Labour can (and must) defeat Reform - competence and values. And in particular the need to start taking a stand on the latter...
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
September 12, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Ian Dunt on how Labour can (and must) defeat Reform - competence and values. And in particular the need to start taking a stand on the latter...
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
As a hardly-ever-online person, I found this VF explainer of right on right factions extremely helpful. And, whilst not wanting anyone to be killed by anyone, the change in response now the identity and motivations of the shooter are becoming clearer is telling
share.google/Xpu56KaY9MyD...
share.google/Xpu56KaY9MyD...
September 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
As a hardly-ever-online person, I found this VF explainer of right on right factions extremely helpful. And, whilst not wanting anyone to be killed by anyone, the change in response now the identity and motivations of the shooter are becoming clearer is telling
share.google/Xpu56KaY9MyD...
share.google/Xpu56KaY9MyD...
Reposted by Angela Francis
Big John, England and why an ordinary, decent patriotism matters.
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Speak for England, Big John
In the face of racist attacks, the food influencer represents a form of patriotism that is modest and decent.
www.newstatesman.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Big John, England and why an ordinary, decent patriotism matters.
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
My piece for the @newstatesman.com.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
For those not willing to go on X to find out what is going on in UK govt - and why should you have to automatic cross posting to multiple platforms should be the norm - new junior minister and PUS post announced here too www.gov.uk/government/n...
Ministerial appointments: September 2025
The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments.
www.gov.uk
September 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
For those not willing to go on X to find out what is going on in UK govt - and why should you have to automatic cross posting to multiple platforms should be the norm - new junior minister and PUS post announced here too www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Angela Francis
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
We escaped war and torture but now we feel unsafe in Britain
Special report: Amid protests and rising aggression towards asylum seekers across the country, we spoke to those being targeted
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
Reposted by Angela Francis
Econ 101 (and it's true, too): At some point in time, real estate and other markets in 🇪🇺 and elsewhere will expect heavy climate shocks. 👇
Anticipation is a very powerful market force, and despair is bad for growth. Best to use the time now: renew and electrify.
Anticipation is a very powerful market force, and despair is bad for growth. Best to use the time now: renew and electrify.
Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low likelihood, study finds
- Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic impacts
#climatecrisis #AMOC
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic impacts
#climatecrisis #AMOC
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low likelihood, study finds
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout
www.theguardian.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Econ 101 (and it's true, too): At some point in time, real estate and other markets in 🇪🇺 and elsewhere will expect heavy climate shocks. 👇
Anticipation is a very powerful market force, and despair is bad for growth. Best to use the time now: renew and electrify.
Anticipation is a very powerful market force, and despair is bad for growth. Best to use the time now: renew and electrify.
Reposted by Angela Francis
I am once again saying that clean energy is inherently cheap, and the reason we don't benefit from that is because the energy market doesn't let us. Great stuff here from my colleague @chrisgalpin.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Heat pumps could halve heating bills with energy system reform, study finds
Steps to make electricity cheaper, such as ending levies, could transform prospects for pumps, thinktank shows
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I am once again saying that clean energy is inherently cheap, and the reason we don't benefit from that is because the energy market doesn't let us. Great stuff here from my colleague @chrisgalpin.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...