The truth about climate action in the UK: dispelling common myths to underline the importance of acting on net zero

To effectively tackle the climate challenge, decision-makers across the political spectrum need to understand and engage with the nuances and practicalities, and effectively communicate the objectives, rationale and benefits of action to the public.

This is particularly important given the misinformation and intentional disinformation affecting the discourse on why we should act, the implications for our economy and society, and the efficacy of specific interventions.

This collection of essays, authored by academics from across the UK, explores a range of topics that often feature in public and policy discussions on climate change. The objective is to provide greater clarity about what is fact and what is false to advance evidence-based decision-making and accelerate the UK’s progress on addressing climate change.

The collection was co-commissioned by the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London and the Grantham Research Institute at LSE. 

Contents and contributors

In addition to featuring in the above publication, these essays have also been published individually as webpages across both the Grantham Institute Imperial College London and Grantham Research Institute LSE websites.                          

Why is achieving net zero necessary? Author: Joeri Rogelj, Imperial College London

Why should the UK take action on climate when it is responsible for only a relatively small fraction of today’s global emissions? Author: Nicholas Stern, LSE

How will the transition to net zero affect the UK economy? Author: Dimitri Zenghelis, University of Cambridge

What does the current cost of living crisis mean for our transition to net zero? Author: Anna Valero, LSE

What does more North Sea oil and gas mean for UK energy supply and net zero? Author: Paul Ekins, University College London

How reliable is a renewables-dominated electricity system in comparison to one based on fossil fuels? Author: Keith Bell, University of Strathclyde

How cost-effective is a renewables-dominated electricity system in comparison to one based on fossil fuels? Author: Keith Bell, University of Strathclyde

How well suited are heat pumps to UK homes and how economical are they? Author: Meysam Qadrdan, Cardiff University

How well equipped is the UK charging infrastructure to support greater uptake of electric vehicles? Author: Liana Cipcigan, Cardiff University

How will climate policy impact the UK public and what do they really think about acting on climate change? Author: Sam Hampton, Oxford University and Lorraine Whitmarsh and Hettie Moorcroft, University of Bath