ClimateCast with Tom Heap

The government's plan to grant new oil and gas licences every year has passed its latest hurdle in parliament. The bill's supporters say it will improve energy security, as the UK still relies heavily on fossil fuels. Critics, however, argue it will not cut energy bills and instead will break the UK's promise to phase out fossil fuels. One of those critics is Chris Skidmore who recently resigned as a Conservative MP over the government's net zero strategy and its decision to boost new oil and gas production.On this episode of ClimateCast, Mr Skidmore, who led the independent government review into net zero, sits down with Sky's science and technology editor Tom Clarke. They discuss the reasons behind his decision to quit, the 'culture war' attached to net zero and the realities the UK faces getting there.

Heating accounts for a third of emissions in the UK, meaning we have to ditch our favourite fuel, gas. The Government's alternative? The heat pump. But despite installations being on the rise, the UK is much behind it's European neighbours on the number of heat pumps being installed each year. So why are we so slow? Is it the price, reluctance to change - or do heat pumps have a bad name?On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap finds out the truth about heat pumps. He debunks some myths, sees one being installed, and meets a customer who recently made the change. He speaks to Mike Foster from energy and utilities alliance about why he believes heat pumps aren't the only option - as well as Lord Callanan about the misinformation surrounding heat pumps.Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse

Delving into one of Britain's deepest mines, the podcast explores the extraction of polyhalite, a low-carbon fertilizer that can help fight climate change. It discusses the benefits of polyhalite, such as reduced emissions and slow-release nutrients, and debates the best approach to maximize fertility. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of soil health and conservation for agriculture, water storage, and flood prevention.

Dr Ella Gilbert, Dr Friederike Otto, and Alastair Campbell join the show to discuss a record-breaking year in climate, challenges of achieving the 1.5 Degree Target, political developments and the impact of bio-election, the political perception of climate change, and advancements in renewables and climate action.

COP28 reached a "historic" and "unprecedented" conclusion to "move away from fossil fuels"; campaigners argue it doesn't go far enough; importance of national policies in transitioning away from fossil fuels; difficulties in utilizing hydrogen as a replacement for fossil fuels

Shipping our heavy goods around the world is a huge carbon emitter. In the UK, we transport a vast amount via roads which has the same carbon footprint as air travel, buses and domestic shipping combined. So could we be shipping in a more environmentally friendly way? On this week’s ClimateCast, Tom Heap boards a freight train to find out how rail freight fits into our net-zero future.He finds out why the cost of electricity means freight operators are running more diesel than electric and what changes are needed to the UK’s infrastructure to slash shipping emissions.Plus, our climate reporter Victoria Seabrook joins Tom to talk about what’s been happening at COP28 in Dubai this week.Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Luke DenneEditor: Philly Beaumont

World leaders at the COP28 climate summit urged to make it a turning point. Wealthy nations contribute $300m to 'loss and damage' fund. Controversy surrounding the role of fossil fuels in the transition to green energy. Slow progress in addressing emissions. Diverse attendees discuss importance of the ocean in climate talks. Emissions expected to peak soon.

Climate change has long been a divisive topic that is often forced to the bottom of the news agenda, even as the threat of a warming world grows.Ahead of COP28, the annual UN climate negotiations, Tom Heap is joined by a panel of guests to discuss the challenges of covering climate change. Political scientist, Sir John Curtice, former Times journalist, Liz Gerard, and video journalist, Zoe Broughton debate how to best encapsulate the public, make climate stories relevant and make audiences care. Producer: Emma Rae WoodhouseEditor: Philly BeaumontThe panel all contributed to new book Toxic News? Covering Climate Change which features essays from academics and journalists on the challenges of reporting the subject.

Shipping, in the form of cruises, ferries and even the navy, accounts for around 2% of our emissions that contribute to global warming - just a little less than aviation. The diesel powered vessels also worsens air pollution, the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK. At Portsmouth Harbour, they're on a mission to tackle both of those things. On this week's ClimateCast Tom Heap visits Portsmouth Port who are planning to plug in some of its ships at berth and run them on electricity. He speaks to brains behind the Sea Change project to find out what benefits charging ships could offer Portsmouth and how far the shipping industry has to go to become green. Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Gemma WatsonEditor: Wendy Parker

Building new homes often comes at the expense of living space for wildlife. But from 2024, a new law in England means developers will have to make sure their projects deliver 10% more nature. It's called biodiversity net gain. Conservation groups are "cautiously optimistic", but do local authorities have the resources to maintain, measure and police the uptick in nature? On ClimateCast, Tom Heap visits a housing development with nature embedded into its foundations as well as a field of barley a few miles from Milton Keynes that's been selected to enjoy natural regeneration as a payback for damage elsewhere.Plus he speaks to Prue Addison, from Wildlife Trust, about the realities of the new law and the potential impact it could have.Podcast producer: Emma Rae WoodhouseField producer: Mickey CarrollEditor: Paul Stanworth