Simon Evans
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org
Press Gazette energy & envt journalist of the year 2022
Press Awards envt journalist of the year 2025 (shortlisted)
Deputy Editor + Senior Policy Editor Carbon Brief
https://bsky.app/profile/carbonbrief.org
carbonbrief.org
simon.evans@carbonbrief.org
Press Awards envt journalist of the year 2025 (shortlisted)
Deputy Editor + Senior Policy Editor Carbon Brief
https://bsky.app/profile/carbonbrief.org
carbonbrief.org
simon.evans@carbonbrief.org
Pinned
Simon Evans
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org
· Nov 23
🚨 JUST PUBLISHED: CARBON BRIEF’S #COP30 SUMMARY 🚨
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
Reposted by Simon Evans
Literally the most important story in UK politics today. A low discount rate unlocks public investment in a much bigger array of infrastructure projects, as it changes how Government accounts for the future benefits of them.
HM Treasury have confirmed the review of the 'discount rate' used in the Green Book.
This is the rate used in business cases to discount future values in the calculation of benefit cost ratios. Is usually 3.5% now. The higher the rate, the lower the value of the future.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
This is the rate used in business cases to discount future values in the calculation of benefit cost ratios. Is usually 3.5% now. The higher the rate, the lower the value of the future.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Chief Secretary appoints experts to lead review of Green Book discount rate
Review will ensure government is taking a fair view of the long-term benefits that arise from transformational investments.
www.gov.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Literally the most important story in UK politics today. A low discount rate unlocks public investment in a much bigger array of infrastructure projects, as it changes how Government accounts for the future benefits of them.
Fossil-fuel extraction massively outweighs critical mineral mining needs (quite literally)
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Fossil-fuel extraction massively outweighs critical mineral mining needs (quite literally)
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
Reposted by Simon Evans
Great conversation with anikapatel.carbonbrief.org @carbonbrief.org about my book and China’s climate policy implementation. We discussed how mid-level bureaucrats act as entrepreneurial “bridge leaders” and what this means for China’s climate governance and its emerging global climate leadership.
NEW - Climate expert @weilagong.bsky.social explains the vital role local Chinese bureaucrats play in helping shape climate policy
She explains what motivates these officials, how they push through new ideas and how they ensure their changes last
Read more in our conversation in @carbonbrief.org ⬇️
She explains what motivates these officials, how they push through new ideas and how they ensure their changes last
Read more in our conversation in @carbonbrief.org ⬇️
Interview: How ‘mid-level bureaucrats’ are helping to shape Chinese climate policy - Carbon Brief
how four cities – Shenzhen, Zhenjiang, Xiamen and Nanchang – approached developing low-carbon policies over the course of almost a decade
www.carbonbrief.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Great conversation with anikapatel.carbonbrief.org @carbonbrief.org about my book and China’s climate policy implementation. We discussed how mid-level bureaucrats act as entrepreneurial “bridge leaders” and what this means for China’s climate governance and its emerging global climate leadership.
I'm delighted to announce that @anikanpatel.carbonbrief.org is our new @carbonbrief.org Section Editor (China), stepping up from her previous role as China Analyst
Congrats Anika!
Congrats Anika!
December 10, 2025 at 10:21 AM
I'm delighted to announce that @anikanpatel.carbonbrief.org is our new @carbonbrief.org Section Editor (China), stepping up from her previous role as China Analyst
Congrats Anika!
Congrats Anika!
Reposted by Simon Evans
The political agreement reached on the 2040 climate target is great news.
One month after COP30 Europe matches words with deeds.
With a legally binding target of 90% emissions reduction by 2040.
And a pragmatic & flexible plan to make this transition our competitive advantage.
One month after COP30 Europe matches words with deeds.
With a legally binding target of 90% emissions reduction by 2040.
And a pragmatic & flexible plan to make this transition our competitive advantage.
We have a final deal on our 2040 climate target ✅
We now have a legally binding 90% GHG reduction target: 85% domestic cuts + up to 5% international credits.
This is an ambitious and pragmatic agreement that brings predictability and flexibility for everyone.
We now have a legally binding 90% GHG reduction target: 85% domestic cuts + up to 5% international credits.
This is an ambitious and pragmatic agreement that brings predictability and flexibility for everyone.
December 10, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The political agreement reached on the 2040 climate target is great news.
One month after COP30 Europe matches words with deeds.
With a legally binding target of 90% emissions reduction by 2040.
And a pragmatic & flexible plan to make this transition our competitive advantage.
One month after COP30 Europe matches words with deeds.
With a legally binding target of 90% emissions reduction by 2040.
And a pragmatic & flexible plan to make this transition our competitive advantage.
Reposted by Simon Evans
The new US National Security Strategy mentions climate change once:
"We reject the disastrous “climate change” and “Net Zero” ideologies that have so greatly harmed Europe, threaten the United States, and subsidize our adversaries."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
"We reject the disastrous “climate change” and “Net Zero” ideologies that have so greatly harmed Europe, threaten the United States, and subsidize our adversaries."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The new US National Security Strategy mentions climate change once:
"We reject the disastrous “climate change” and “Net Zero” ideologies that have so greatly harmed Europe, threaten the United States, and subsidize our adversaries."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
"We reject the disastrous “climate change” and “Net Zero” ideologies that have so greatly harmed Europe, threaten the United States, and subsidize our adversaries."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
"but there aren't any EV chargers"
December 4, 2025 at 11:22 AM
"but there aren't any EV chargers"
Reposted by Simon Evans
NEW – Asia-Pacific faces ‘$500bn-a-year’ hit from rising seas if current policies continue | @ayeshatandon.carbonbrief.org
Read here: buff.ly/tiiGtDk
Read here: buff.ly/tiiGtDk
December 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
NEW – Asia-Pacific faces ‘$500bn-a-year’ hit from rising seas if current policies continue | @ayeshatandon.carbonbrief.org
Read here: buff.ly/tiiGtDk
Read here: buff.ly/tiiGtDk
Reposted by Simon Evans
November 2025 was the third warmest November on record in ERA5 at 1.54C above preindustrial levels – below only the records set in the prior two years (2023 and 2024):
December 2, 2025 at 6:42 AM
November 2025 was the third warmest November on record in ERA5 at 1.54C above preindustrial levels – below only the records set in the prior two years (2023 and 2024):
SCOOP: Carbon Brief has exclusively obtained a list of 84 countries "opposed" to adding a fossil-fuel roadmap to COP30 deal – but our analysis found a series of contradictions & likely errors
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
November 28, 2025 at 2:08 PM
SCOOP: Carbon Brief has exclusively obtained a list of 84 countries "opposed" to adding a fossil-fuel roadmap to COP30 deal – but our analysis found a series of contradictions & likely errors
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
Reposted by Simon Evans
The Telegraph has just published *yet another* correction to one of its net-zero articles.
By my count, that is now the TWELFTH such correction since Labour won the election (and covers 15 separate articles).
I have now added the latest one to my epic thread which is tracking these corrections...
By my count, that is now the TWELFTH such correction since Labour won the election (and covers 15 separate articles).
I have now added the latest one to my epic thread which is tracking these corrections...
November 27, 2025 at 7:38 AM
The Telegraph has just published *yet another* correction to one of its net-zero articles.
By my count, that is now the TWELFTH such correction since Labour won the election (and covers 15 separate articles).
I have now added the latest one to my epic thread which is tracking these corrections...
By my count, that is now the TWELFTH such correction since Labour won the election (and covers 15 separate articles).
I have now added the latest one to my epic thread which is tracking these corrections...
AI will enable productivity gains, they said…
AI-enabled NIMBYism has come to clean energy deployment. Virtually all the examples mentioned in this piece are wind, solar and transmission projects. 💡🔌
How Scottish campaigners are using AI to battle rural planning applications
Tool allows individuals to send unique, complex objections of about 4,000 words within a couple of minutes
www.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:07 PM
AI will enable productivity gains, they said…
Reposted by Simon Evans
NEW – UK budget 2025: Key climate and energy announcements | @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org
Read here: buff.ly/unfZgrv
Read here: buff.ly/unfZgrv
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
NEW – UK budget 2025: Key climate and energy announcements | @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org
Read here: buff.ly/unfZgrv
Read here: buff.ly/unfZgrv
Reposted by Simon Evans
In case you wondered about next year's Australian-Turkish COP31, this is the agreement. HT: @carbonbrief.org
The very trick detail: "If there is a difference in views between Turkey and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction"
The very trick detail: "If there is a difference in views between Turkey and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction"
November 26, 2025 at 6:09 PM
In case you wondered about next year's Australian-Turkish COP31, this is the agreement. HT: @carbonbrief.org
The very trick detail: "If there is a difference in views between Turkey and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction"
The very trick detail: "If there is a difference in views between Turkey and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction"
Hoo boy, another fictitious "EV market slows" headline from the Times
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Hoo boy, another fictitious "EV market slows" headline from the Times
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
In case you missed this it, we published our in-depth summary of COP30 yesterday
🚨 JUST PUBLISHED: CARBON BRIEF’S #COP30 SUMMARY 🚨
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
November 24, 2025 at 12:01 PM
In case you missed this it, we published our in-depth summary of COP30 yesterday
Reposted by Simon Evans
OUT NOW: All you need to know about COP30, brought to you by @carbonbrief.org
Our 20k word explainer breaks down:
🛢️ What happened with the fossil fuel roadmap push?
💰 Who wanted (and got) what on climate finance?
🇨🇳 Did China step up as a climate leader?
Find out here ⬇️
Our 20k word explainer breaks down:
🛢️ What happened with the fossil fuel roadmap push?
💰 Who wanted (and got) what on climate finance?
🇨🇳 Did China step up as a climate leader?
Find out here ⬇️
COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém - Carbon Brief
A voluntary plan to curb fossil fuels, a goal to triple adaptation finance and new...
www.carbonbrief.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
OUT NOW: All you need to know about COP30, brought to you by @carbonbrief.org
Our 20k word explainer breaks down:
🛢️ What happened with the fossil fuel roadmap push?
💰 Who wanted (and got) what on climate finance?
🇨🇳 Did China step up as a climate leader?
Find out here ⬇️
Our 20k word explainer breaks down:
🛢️ What happened with the fossil fuel roadmap push?
💰 Who wanted (and got) what on climate finance?
🇨🇳 Did China step up as a climate leader?
Find out here ⬇️
Reposted by Simon Evans
Carbon Brief has published its 20,000-word summary of everything that happened at #COP30, incl:
🇧🇷 Brazil's leadership and around the COP
🤝 The ‘Global mutirão’ text
💰 A new tripling adaptation finance goal
💥 The JTWP's Belem Action Mechanism
⌨️ And so much more
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
🇧🇷 Brazil's leadership and around the COP
🤝 The ‘Global mutirão’ text
💰 A new tripling adaptation finance goal
💥 The JTWP's Belem Action Mechanism
⌨️ And so much more
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém - Carbon Brief
A voluntary plan to curb fossil fuels, a goal to triple adaptation finance and new...
www.carbonbrief.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Carbon Brief has published its 20,000-word summary of everything that happened at #COP30, incl:
🇧🇷 Brazil's leadership and around the COP
🤝 The ‘Global mutirão’ text
💰 A new tripling adaptation finance goal
💥 The JTWP's Belem Action Mechanism
⌨️ And so much more
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
🇧🇷 Brazil's leadership and around the COP
🤝 The ‘Global mutirão’ text
💰 A new tripling adaptation finance goal
💥 The JTWP's Belem Action Mechanism
⌨️ And so much more
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
Reposted by Simon Evans
✨Carbon Brief's mega summary of all of COP30's key outcomes, texts and dramas has just been published✨
Always a pleasure to work alongside a team of such talented and dedicated people to bring you this piece!
We hope you enjoy and let us know what you think
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
Always a pleasure to work alongside a team of such talented and dedicated people to bring you this piece!
We hope you enjoy and let us know what you think
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém - Carbon Brief
A voluntary plan to curb fossil fuels, a goal to triple adaptation finance and new...
www.carbonbrief.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:32 PM
✨Carbon Brief's mega summary of all of COP30's key outcomes, texts and dramas has just been published✨
Always a pleasure to work alongside a team of such talented and dedicated people to bring you this piece!
We hope you enjoy and let us know what you think
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
Always a pleasure to work alongside a team of such talented and dedicated people to bring you this piece!
We hope you enjoy and let us know what you think
www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-ou...
Reposted by Simon Evans
NEW – COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém
Read here ➡️ buff.ly/3isyGpX
#COP30
Read here ➡️ buff.ly/3isyGpX
#COP30
November 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
NEW – COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém
Read here ➡️ buff.ly/3isyGpX
#COP30
Read here ➡️ buff.ly/3isyGpX
#COP30
🚨 JUST PUBLISHED: CARBON BRIEF’S #COP30 SUMMARY 🚨
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
November 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
🚨 JUST PUBLISHED: CARBON BRIEF’S #COP30 SUMMARY 🚨
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
G20 DECLARATION: Fascinating to see this doc explicitly "welcome" the "global stocktake" from COP28, which included the call to "transition away from fossil fuels"…
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
November 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
G20 DECLARATION: Fascinating to see this doc explicitly "welcome" the "global stocktake" from COP28, which included the call to "transition away from fossil fuels"…
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
COP30 TEXT ANALYSIS: One way to read dense COP text is to focus on the verbs. These are helpfully italicised – and for good reason.
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
November 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
COP30 TEXT ANALYSIS: One way to read dense COP text is to focus on the verbs. These are helpfully italicised – and for good reason.
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
Reposted by Simon Evans
COP30's key text, the global mutirão, just adopted here in Belém 🇧🇷
November 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
COP30's key text, the global mutirão, just adopted here in Belém 🇧🇷
Reposted by Simon Evans
Shots fired #COP30 plenary
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."
November 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Shots fired #COP30 plenary
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."