Simon Evans
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org
Press Gazette energy & environment journalist of the year 2022
Highly commended:
Society of Editors 2025
Shortlisted:
Press Awards 2025
Press Gazette 2025
AOP 2025
Deputy Ed + Snr Policy Ed, Carbon Brief
[email protected]
Highly commended:
Society of Editors 2025
Shortlisted:
Press Awards 2025
Press Gazette 2025
AOP 2025
Deputy Ed + Snr Policy Ed, Carbon Brief
[email protected]
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
Don’t know if anyone else but me remembers this, but in the 1990s MTV used to have these little spoof intermissions between programmes that said things like “Nuclear waste isn’t dangerous and it’s ok to dump it into the sea”.
This is like the script for one of those
This is like the script for one of those
February 14, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Don’t know if anyone else but me remembers this, but in the 1990s MTV used to have these little spoof intermissions between programmes that said things like “Nuclear waste isn’t dangerous and it’s ok to dump it into the sea”.
This is like the script for one of those
This is like the script for one of those
SPACE-BASED SOLAR?! Sounds like an Elon Musk fantasy – but UK govt just published a study on the idea.
Yes, it would be wildly expensive, at up to £595/MWh in 2030 (!!)
But the study says it could be cost-competitive by the 2040s…🤔
assets.publishing.se...
Yes, it would be wildly expensive, at up to £595/MWh in 2030 (!!)
But the study says it could be cost-competitive by the 2040s…🤔
assets.publishing.se...
February 13, 2026 at 1:34 PM
SPACE-BASED SOLAR?! Sounds like an Elon Musk fantasy – but UK govt just published a study on the idea.
Yes, it would be wildly expensive, at up to £595/MWh in 2030 (!!)
But the study says it could be cost-competitive by the 2040s…🤔
assets.publishing.se...
Yes, it would be wildly expensive, at up to £595/MWh in 2030 (!!)
But the study says it could be cost-competitive by the 2040s…🤔
assets.publishing.se...
Govt and Drax have now finalised this contract, with a slightly lower price of £110/MWh in 2012 prices (£153/MWh)
Key points remain as below
www.drax.com/press_releas...
Key points remain as below
www.drax.com/press_releas...
THREAD: New UK govt contract with Drax biomass power plant
* 4-yr contract 2027-2031
* £113/MWh (2012 prices – £155 in today's money)
* Output cap of 6TWh (<2% of UK supplies, cf recent yrs 12-15TWh)
* CfD cost ~£500m/yr
* 100% of fuel must be "sustainable", up from 70%
1/5
* 4-yr contract 2027-2031
* £113/MWh (2012 prices – £155 in today's money)
* Output cap of 6TWh (<2% of UK supplies, cf recent yrs 12-15TWh)
* CfD cost ~£500m/yr
* 100% of fuel must be "sustainable", up from 70%
1/5
February 13, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Interesting – UK govt has signed a new 4yr deal with 420MW Lynemouth biomass plant, capping subsidies at ~1/2 current levels
Similar to Drax deal, requires 100% "sustainable" feedstock & pushes Lynemouth towards peaking power
www.gov.uk/governmen...
1/2
Similar to Drax deal, requires 100% "sustainable" feedstock & pushes Lynemouth towards peaking power
www.gov.uk/governmen...
1/2
February 13, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Interesting – UK govt has signed a new 4yr deal with 420MW Lynemouth biomass plant, capping subsidies at ~1/2 current levels
Similar to Drax deal, requires 100% "sustainable" feedstock & pushes Lynemouth towards peaking power
www.gov.uk/governmen...
1/2
Similar to Drax deal, requires 100% "sustainable" feedstock & pushes Lynemouth towards peaking power
www.gov.uk/governmen...
1/2
Reposted by Simon Evans
Good work. Hopefully other reporters will follow up, especially those who may have inadvertently misled their readers
FACTCHECK: Centrica's Chris O'Shea got blanket coverage for claiming electricity will cost more in 2030 than in energy crisis (Chris Stark: "he's wrong on this")
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
February 13, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Good work. Hopefully other reporters will follow up, especially those who may have inadvertently misled their readers
So, I did what any decent journalist would do and asked for some evidence to back up O’Shea’s claims:
* I emailed Centrica’s press office – no reply
* I gave them a call – no answer
* I DM’d O’Shea himself – silence
I think this speaks volumes.
4/4
* I emailed Centrica’s press office – no reply
* I gave them a call – no answer
* I DM’d O’Shea himself – silence
I think this speaks volumes.
4/4
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 AM
So, I did what any decent journalist would do and asked for some evidence to back up O’Shea’s claims:
* I emailed Centrica’s press office – no reply
* I gave them a call – no answer
* I DM’d O’Shea himself – silence
I think this speaks volumes.
4/4
* I emailed Centrica’s press office – no reply
* I gave them a call – no answer
* I DM’d O’Shea himself – silence
I think this speaks volumes.
4/4
What do other experts think about O’Shea’s comments?
“He’s wrong on this” – Chris Stark (full iv soon)
“Outlandish” – Andrew Sissons
“That is, uh, bullish” – Adam Bell
“A few odd assumptions and you can concoct any scenario” – another energy firm
3/4
“He’s wrong on this” – Chris Stark (full iv soon)
“Outlandish” – Andrew Sissons
“That is, uh, bullish” – Adam Bell
“A few odd assumptions and you can concoct any scenario” – another energy firm
3/4
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 AM
What do other experts think about O’Shea’s comments?
“He’s wrong on this” – Chris Stark (full iv soon)
“Outlandish” – Andrew Sissons
“That is, uh, bullish” – Adam Bell
“A few odd assumptions and you can concoct any scenario” – another energy firm
3/4
“He’s wrong on this” – Chris Stark (full iv soon)
“Outlandish” – Andrew Sissons
“That is, uh, bullish” – Adam Bell
“A few odd assumptions and you can concoct any scenario” – another energy firm
3/4
O’Shea’s claim got blanket news coverage, which, as far as I can tell, didn’t question the premise of his wild claims on electricity bills in 2030
Here’s a selection:
2/4
Here’s a selection:
2/4
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 AM
O’Shea’s claim got blanket news coverage, which, as far as I can tell, didn’t question the premise of his wild claims on electricity bills in 2030
Here’s a selection:
2/4
Here’s a selection:
2/4
FACTCHECK: Centrica's Chris O'Shea got blanket coverage for claiming electricity will cost more in 2030 than in energy crisis (Chris Stark: "he's wrong on this")
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 AM
FACTCHECK: Centrica's Chris O'Shea got blanket coverage for claiming electricity will cost more in 2030 than in energy crisis (Chris Stark: "he's wrong on this")
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
I asked Centrica for evidence – they didn’t reply
(Bills in crisis were >2x today, before huge govt subsidies)
1/4
Reposted by Simon Evans
The Tony Blair Institute out there today calling for more oil and gas drilling in an absolute gift for Farage and Badenoch. Government will be forgiven for thinking, with friends like these... www.businessgreen.com/news/4525624...
Government hits back at Tony Blair Institute call to ditch clean power targets
Think tank calls for 'energy strategy reset' to permit more drilling in the North Sea and drop clean power by 2030 goal, sparking criticism from government and analysts
www.businessgreen.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM
The Tony Blair Institute out there today calling for more oil and gas drilling in an absolute gift for Farage and Badenoch. Government will be forgiven for thinking, with friends like these... www.businessgreen.com/news/4525624...
That's a q for @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social re leap year adjustment, I don't know
February 13, 2026 at 8:28 AM
That's a q for @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social re leap year adjustment, I don't know
I think I have 2 main issues
1) we don't need to look at (abstract!) Kaya identities and wonder why A/B has done X, we can see the sectoral emissions trends and where they contrast
2) sure, ppl thought China might peak b4, but now it's pledged to do it soon and we just need to work out HOW soon
1) we don't need to look at (abstract!) Kaya identities and wonder why A/B has done X, we can see the sectoral emissions trends and where they contrast
2) sure, ppl thought China might peak b4, but now it's pledged to do it soon and we just need to work out HOW soon
February 13, 2026 at 6:10 AM
I think I have 2 main issues
1) we don't need to look at (abstract!) Kaya identities and wonder why A/B has done X, we can see the sectoral emissions trends and where they contrast
2) sure, ppl thought China might peak b4, but now it's pledged to do it soon and we just need to work out HOW soon
1) we don't need to look at (abstract!) Kaya identities and wonder why A/B has done X, we can see the sectoral emissions trends and where they contrast
2) sure, ppl thought China might peak b4, but now it's pledged to do it soon and we just need to work out HOW soon
Indeed, despite his best efforts. As I wrote in the article
February 12, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Indeed, despite his best efforts. As I wrote in the article
NEW ANALYSIS: Donald Trump has overseen more coal closures than any other US president
That must be why he was just crowned "undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal” (10/10 no notes, I am not making this up)
www.carbonbrief.org/...
That must be why he was just crowned "undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal” (10/10 no notes, I am not making this up)
www.carbonbrief.org/...
February 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM
NEW ANALYSIS: Donald Trump has overseen more coal closures than any other US president
That must be why he was just crowned "undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal” (10/10 no notes, I am not making this up)
www.carbonbrief.org/...
That must be why he was just crowned "undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal” (10/10 no notes, I am not making this up)
www.carbonbrief.org/...
not sure, we plan to dig into details tho
February 12, 2026 at 12:25 PM
not sure, we plan to dig into details tho
Our free fortnightly China Briefing newsletter is a good place to learn more (altho I would say that!)
www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefi...
www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefi...
China Briefing - Carbon Brief
The weekly China Briefing email provides the context behind the headlines, something that is essential when trying to assess the true significance of, say, a turn of phrase by a Chinese politician.
www.carbonbrief.org
February 12, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Our free fortnightly China Briefing newsletter is a good place to learn more (altho I would say that!)
www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefi...
www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefi...
Reposted by Simon Evans
We really need to understand more about China's development rather than just simply discussing the scare stories. Though this is not made easy by their own limited engagement.
NEW ANALYSIS: China's CO2 has now been 'flat or falling' for 21 months
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
February 12, 2026 at 9:45 AM
We really need to understand more about China's development rather than just simply discussing the scare stories. Though this is not made easy by their own limited engagement.
Reposted by Simon Evans
Not easy to ignore what Trump is doing to the US right now in terms of attacking climate polices and climate science.
But this below is the biggest and most consequential climate story in the world right now.
Period.
But this below is the biggest and most consequential climate story in the world right now.
Period.
NEW ANALYSIS: China's CO2 has now been 'flat or falling' for 21 months
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
February 12, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Not easy to ignore what Trump is doing to the US right now in terms of attacking climate polices and climate science.
But this below is the biggest and most consequential climate story in the world right now.
Period.
But this below is the biggest and most consequential climate story in the world right now.
Period.
wider demographic changes likely a factor, yes, but haven't seen analysis looking at recent changes in per-capita CO2
February 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
wider demographic changes likely a factor, yes, but haven't seen analysis looking at recent changes in per-capita CO2
Reposted by Simon Evans
Absolutely amazing - and to be shown immediately if someone says "what about China?"
NEW ANALYSIS: China's CO2 has now been 'flat or falling' for 21 months
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
February 12, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Absolutely amazing - and to be shown immediately if someone says "what about China?"
cement is included in this analysis
non-CO2 harder to track
non-CO2 harder to track
February 12, 2026 at 9:50 AM
cement is included in this analysis
non-CO2 harder to track
non-CO2 harder to track
Power sector is biggest emitter and would have seen a rise but for clean energy growth
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
February 12, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Power sector is biggest emitter and would have seen a rise but for clean energy growth
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
That was COVID! Big deal at the time but not down to structural factors
February 12, 2026 at 9:02 AM
That was COVID! Big deal at the time but not down to structural factors
Reposted by Simon Evans
If China's emissions had kept growing at previous levels emissions would like, what, maybe a full GIGATONNE higher....the area of avoided emissions here is like deleting the emissions of entire countries. This is happening at a scale that will very clearly have an effect in lessening disasters
February 12, 2026 at 8:18 AM
If China's emissions had kept growing at previous levels emissions would like, what, maybe a full GIGATONNE higher....the area of avoided emissions here is like deleting the emissions of entire countries. This is happening at a scale that will very clearly have an effect in lessening disasters