Christian Downie
@christiandownie.bsky.social
Professor + policy advisor on global climate politics, energy politics and foreign affairs.
https://www.christiandownie.com/
https://www.christiandownie.com/
Pinned
A pleasure to appear before the Senate Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy this afternoon, which is investigating the scale of climate misinformation and its impacts on Australian politics.
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
I made 3 key points🧵
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
I made 3 key points🧵
My latest on Brazil's efforts at the UN climate talks to push back against the tide of fossil fuel lobbying and climate misinformation @aunz.theconversation.com @cssn.org
theconversation.com/brazil-is-tr...
theconversation.com/brazil-is-tr...
Brazil is trying to stop fossil fuel interests derailing COP30 with one simple measure
More fossil fuel lobbyists are coming to global climate talks to try to get favourable outcomes. Now their role is in the spotlight.
theconversation.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
My latest on Brazil's efforts at the UN climate talks to push back against the tide of fossil fuel lobbying and climate misinformation @aunz.theconversation.com @cssn.org
theconversation.com/brazil-is-tr...
theconversation.com/brazil-is-tr...
Reposted by Christian Downie
Using a multi-arena approach, covering the executive, legislature and media, join @christiandownie.bsky.social as he presents data on the aggregate population of organisations mobilising on climate change in Australia. Learn more: regnet.anu.edu.au/event/mappin...
November 12, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Using a multi-arena approach, covering the executive, legislature and media, join @christiandownie.bsky.social as he presents data on the aggregate population of organisations mobilising on climate change in Australia. Learn more: regnet.anu.edu.au/event/mappin...
Reposted by Christian Downie
"Far from a peak, China's gasoline demand is estimated to have fallen 9% in October on the year to 12.5 million tons, with average daily use roughly flat with September..."
China's oil demand is entering structural decline.
China's oil demand is entering structural decline.
EVs put an end to China's usual holiday surge in gasoline use
Tianyu Jiang took a 2,000-km (1,200-mile) road trip this month during China's national holiday week, driving in his electric vehicle from the southwestern Sichuan basin to Beijing for the first time.
www.reuters.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
"Far from a peak, China's gasoline demand is estimated to have fallen 9% in October on the year to 12.5 million tons, with average daily use roughly flat with September..."
China's oil demand is entering structural decline.
China's oil demand is entering structural decline.
Exxon funded thinktanks to spread climate denial in Latin America, documents reveal
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Exxon funded thinktanks to spread climate denial in Latin America, documents reveal
Texas-based fossil fuel company financed Atlas Network in attempt to derail UN-led climate treaty process
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Exxon funded thinktanks to spread climate denial in Latin America, documents reveal
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Some industry groups have for years succeeded in undermining effective climate policies. And there's no sign of them stopping.
Great to chat with Murray Griffin in the latest 'Track Changes' pod.
@cssn.org @anu-iceds.bsky.social @anuregnet.bsky.social
Great to chat with Murray Griffin in the latest 'Track Changes' pod.
@cssn.org @anu-iceds.bsky.social @anuregnet.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Some industry groups have for years succeeded in undermining effective climate policies. And there's no sign of them stopping.
Great to chat with Murray Griffin in the latest 'Track Changes' pod.
@cssn.org @anu-iceds.bsky.social @anuregnet.bsky.social
Great to chat with Murray Griffin in the latest 'Track Changes' pod.
@cssn.org @anu-iceds.bsky.social @anuregnet.bsky.social
A pleasure to talk to Ruby Jones on the 7am podcast this morning about the playbook lobbyists use to delay climate action.
7ampodcast.com.au
You can read more about this topic in our new book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment cssn.org/wp-content/u...
@anu-iceds.bsky.social
7ampodcast.com.au
You can read more about this topic in our new book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment cssn.org/wp-content/u...
@anu-iceds.bsky.social
Home
A daily news podcast from Solstice Media, publisher of InDaily and The New Daily.
Listen free wherever you get your audio. Subscribe on iTunes, Google Podcasts or Spotify.
7ampodcast.com.au
October 22, 2025 at 10:59 PM
A pleasure to talk to Ruby Jones on the 7am podcast this morning about the playbook lobbyists use to delay climate action.
7ampodcast.com.au
You can read more about this topic in our new book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment cssn.org/wp-content/u...
@anu-iceds.bsky.social
7ampodcast.com.au
You can read more about this topic in our new book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment cssn.org/wp-content/u...
@anu-iceds.bsky.social
This is likely to become a growing problem for senate inquries. Ironically, this one was looking into misinformation!
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Queensland anti-renewables group cited nonexistent papers in inquiry submissions using AI, publisher says
Exclusive: Rainforest Reserves Australia has published submissions naming nonexistent government authorities and a nonexistent windfarm
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 6:20 AM
This is likely to become a growing problem for senate inquries. Ironically, this one was looking into misinformation!
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Banning combustion engine cars by 2035 will be necessary to get Australia moving on electric vehicles
theconversation.com/banning-comb...
theconversation.com/banning-comb...
Banning combustion engine cars by 2035 will be necessary to get Australia moving on electric vehicles
More EVs are appearing on Australian roads. But the pace of change is well short of what’s need to reach emission cut goals.
theconversation.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Banning combustion engine cars by 2035 will be necessary to get Australia moving on electric vehicles
theconversation.com/banning-comb...
theconversation.com/banning-comb...
Reposted by Christian Downie
Something this book really drilled home (scuse the pun) is that we're not stalled out on climate because scientists didn't model hard enough or campaigners didn't come up with the perfect message, but because the world's most powerful spent gazillions to sabotage action.
cssn.org/wp-content/u...
cssn.org/wp-content/u...
October 14, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Something this book really drilled home (scuse the pun) is that we're not stalled out on climate because scientists didn't model hard enough or campaigners didn't come up with the perfect message, but because the world's most powerful spent gazillions to sabotage action.
cssn.org/wp-content/u...
cssn.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Christian Downie
"The so-called 'independent research' gives vested interests a veil of credibility, which they exploit to lobby parliamentarians and the broader public, distorting the framing of policy debates"
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
ACCC urged to probe 'distorted research' behind government gas policy
Advocacy group Climate Integrity has accused the gas industry of using "distorted research", produced by the accounting firm EY, to influence the Australian government's Future Gas Strategy.
www.abc.net.au
October 13, 2025 at 5:32 AM
"The so-called 'independent research' gives vested interests a veil of credibility, which they exploit to lobby parliamentarians and the broader public, distorting the framing of policy debates"
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Reposted by Christian Downie
@christiandownie.bsky.social, a professor at @anuregnet.bsky.social and a scholar in the IBES-based @cssn.org, spoke to @australia.theguardian.com about “intentional efforts from coal and gas and their enablers” that have led to climate policy inaction in Australia.
Media and political attacks on Australia’s emissions targets ‘straight out of the climate obstruction playbook’, expert says
Media and political attacks on Australia’s emissions targets ‘straight out of the climate obstruction playbook’, expert says
Prof Christian Downie points to the Business Council of Australia and News Corp newspapers as examples of deliberate obstruction
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Political and media attacks on renewable energy and climate action in Australia in recent months have come “out of the climate obstruction playbook” that has been honed over decades around the world by fossil fuel interests.
Prof Christian Downie, an Australian researcher, says he has studied techniques used by business groups and lobbyists all over the world which are now being seen in Australia. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:42 PM
@christiandownie.bsky.social, a professor at @anuregnet.bsky.social and a scholar in the IBES-based @cssn.org, spoke to @australia.theguardian.com about “intentional efforts from coal and gas and their enablers” that have led to climate policy inaction in Australia.
Our forthcoming book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment is profiled in The Guardian this morning
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... @anuregnet.bsky.social @cssn.org
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... @anuregnet.bsky.social @cssn.org
Media and political attacks on Australia’s emissions targets ‘straight out of the climate obstruction playbook’, expert says
Prof Christian Downie points to the Business Council of Australia and News Corp newspapers as examples of deliberate obstruction
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Our forthcoming book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment is profiled in The Guardian this morning
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... @anuregnet.bsky.social @cssn.org
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... @anuregnet.bsky.social @cssn.org
When the UN Secretary-General is calling out PR firms for blocking action on climate change, we need to do something. My latest in @theconversation.com on PR firms and climate misinformation in Australia.
theconversation.com/pr-firms-are...
@anuregnet.bsky.social @anu-iceds.bsky.social @cssn.org
theconversation.com/pr-firms-are...
@anuregnet.bsky.social @anu-iceds.bsky.social @cssn.org
PR firms are spreading climate misinformation on behalf of fossil fuel companies. Could Australia stop them?
This week, Australian policymakers heard about the real and growing problem of climate misinformation. Stopping it would mean regulating the PR industry.
theconversation.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:04 PM
When the UN Secretary-General is calling out PR firms for blocking action on climate change, we need to do something. My latest in @theconversation.com on PR firms and climate misinformation in Australia.
theconversation.com/pr-firms-are...
@anuregnet.bsky.social @anu-iceds.bsky.social @cssn.org
theconversation.com/pr-firms-are...
@anuregnet.bsky.social @anu-iceds.bsky.social @cssn.org
A pleasure to appear before the Senate Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy this afternoon, which is investigating the scale of climate misinformation and its impacts on Australian politics.
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
I made 3 key points🧵
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
I made 3 key points🧵
September 29, 2025 at 9:04 AM
A pleasure to appear before the Senate Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy this afternoon, which is investigating the scale of climate misinformation and its impacts on Australian politics.
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
I made 3 key points🧵
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
I made 3 key points🧵
Ahead of our forthcoming book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment, the inimitable @amywestervelt.bsky.social of @drilledmedia.bsky.social has just dropped the first episode of a podcast series covering each chapter.
The book is out 14th Oct & will be free to download, links below. @cssn.org
The book is out 14th Oct & will be free to download, links below. @cssn.org
If you're a @drilledmedia.bsky.social listener you know I think social scientists are key sources if we want to understand why governments haven't acted on climate. So imagine my nerd delight to get my hands on an incredible new batch of research on climate obstruction. drilled.media/podcasts/dri...
Welcome to the World of Obstruction
Investigating the obstacles to action on climate change.
drilled.media
September 23, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Ahead of our forthcoming book Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment, the inimitable @amywestervelt.bsky.social of @drilledmedia.bsky.social has just dropped the first episode of a podcast series covering each chapter.
The book is out 14th Oct & will be free to download, links below. @cssn.org
The book is out 14th Oct & will be free to download, links below. @cssn.org
Plenting happening in climate and energy policy this week. Great to be on ABC Afternoon Briefing to discuss greenhouse gas targets and more (51min mark). @anu-iceds.bsky.social @anuregnet.bsky.social
iview.abc.net.au/show/afterno...
iview.abc.net.au/show/afterno...
Afternoon Briefing: Thursday 18/9/2025
Melissa Clarke covers reaction to the government's 2035 emissions target, speaking with Greens Leader Larissa Waters, Nationals Leader David Littleproud, Innes Willox, Su McCluskey, Christian Downie p...
iview.abc.net.au
September 18, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Plenting happening in climate and energy policy this week. Great to be on ABC Afternoon Briefing to discuss greenhouse gas targets and more (51min mark). @anu-iceds.bsky.social @anuregnet.bsky.social
iview.abc.net.au/show/afterno...
iview.abc.net.au/show/afterno...
Important new study showing showing that oil, gas, coal and cement producers contributed to climate induced heatwaves
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Systematic attribution of heatwaves to the emissions of carbon majors - Nature
Climate change made 213 historical heatwaves reported over 2000–2023 more likely and more intense, to which each of the 180 carbon majors (fossil fuel and cement producers) substantially contributed.
www.nature.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Important new study showing showing that oil, gas, coal and cement producers contributed to climate induced heatwaves
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Christian Downie
The Business Council of Australia have been saying that dealing with climate change is too expensive since governments began seriously looking at how to respond to this existential threat in 1993 -- and they've been citing modelling.
There really is nothing new under the sun, it seems.
There really is nothing new under the sun, it seems.
Australia needs $530bn capital to meet 70% climate goal, business council claims before new 2035 target
Modelling commissioned by lobby group comes as Climate Change Authority due to advise on new target – but does not factor in cost of not acting
www.theguardian.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:18 AM
The Business Council of Australia have been saying that dealing with climate change is too expensive since governments began seriously looking at how to respond to this existential threat in 1993 -- and they've been citing modelling.
There really is nothing new under the sun, it seems.
There really is nothing new under the sun, it seems.
I'm assuming this is the same firm that is commited to net zero emissions.
www.ft.com/content/1833...
www.ft.com/content/1833...
Exxon escalates attacks on EU’s ‘high-regulation’ climate policies
US oil major warns Europe’s approach has driven up energy costs and eroded public backing for green transition
www.ft.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:13 AM
I'm assuming this is the same firm that is commited to net zero emissions.
www.ft.com/content/1833...
www.ft.com/content/1833...
From ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreens to ‘sustainable’ super, greenwashing allegations are rife. Here’s how the claims stack up
theconversation.com/from-reef-fr...
theconversation.com/from-reef-fr...
From ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreens to ‘sustainable’ super, greenwashing allegations are rife. Here’s how the claims stack up
Consumers are often willing to pay more for eco-friendly products – but are they getting what they paid for?
theconversation.com
August 11, 2025 at 6:37 AM
From ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreens to ‘sustainable’ super, greenwashing allegations are rife. Here’s how the claims stack up
theconversation.com/from-reef-fr...
theconversation.com/from-reef-fr...
‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks
Petrostates and well-funded lobbyists at UN-hosted talks are derailing a deal to cut plastic production and protect people and the planet
www.theguardian.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:45 AM
‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Christian Downie
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
So let's get this straight - they pay us (taxpayers) $1bn for DECADES of oil extraction, and then we pay them back about half that amount to help clean up the sites - okey dokey
So let's get this straight - they pay us (taxpayers) $1bn for DECADES of oil extraction, and then we pay them back about half that amount to help clean up the sites - okey dokey
Australian taxpayers on the hook to pay Chevron more than $500m to clean up oil wells
Deal struck in 1980s refunds about half of what the US multinational fossil fuel company paid in royalties, documents show
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:07 AM
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
So let's get this straight - they pay us (taxpayers) $1bn for DECADES of oil extraction, and then we pay them back about half that amount to help clean up the sites - okey dokey
So let's get this straight - they pay us (taxpayers) $1bn for DECADES of oil extraction, and then we pay them back about half that amount to help clean up the sites - okey dokey
Devastating to see what marine heatwaves are doing to our oceans off the South Australian Coast
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Deadly algal bloom in South Australia’s Coorong an environmental ‘eye opener’, ecologist says
Among the dead in the internationally significant wetland are estuarine snails, shore crabs, baby flounder and ‘a thick stew of polychaete worms’ after high tides swept the algae
www.theguardian.com
July 7, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Devastating to see what marine heatwaves are doing to our oceans off the South Australian Coast
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...