Dr Steve Westlake
@steveclimate.bsky.social
Lecturer at the University of Bath researching the effects of leading by example with low-carbon behaviour. Particular interest in politicians, celebrities & CEOs.
Reposted by Dr Steve Westlake
Themes from Steve's research are informing our new Climate Leadership Research Centre, led by Oxford University in partnership with Bath University : leadership.climate.ox.ac.uk
Oxford University Climate Leadership Research Centre
leadership.climate.ox.ac.uk
January 12, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Themes from Steve's research are informing our new Climate Leadership Research Centre, led by Oxford University in partnership with Bath University : leadership.climate.ox.ac.uk
And if you're really keen, here's a PhD on low-carbon leading by example... 😅
"The power of leading by example with high-impact low-carbon behaviour: emulation, trust, credibility, justice"
orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/15...
"The power of leading by example with high-impact low-carbon behaviour: emulation, trust, credibility, justice"
orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/15...
January 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM
And if you're really keen, here's a PhD on low-carbon leading by example... 😅
"The power of leading by example with high-impact low-carbon behaviour: emulation, trust, credibility, justice"
orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/15...
"The power of leading by example with high-impact low-carbon behaviour: emulation, trust, credibility, justice"
orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/15...
Journal article exploring why politicians are reluctant to lead by example too overtly...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
“We can't be too saintly”: Why members of parliament in the United Kingdom are reluctant to lead by example with low-carbon behaviour
Low-carbon behaviour change from individuals is both essential for meeting climate change targets and highly politically contentious. Shifting away fr…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Journal article exploring why politicians are reluctant to lead by example too overtly...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Journal article here showing people really want to see leaders leading by example on climate... www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 12, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Journal article here showing people really want to see leaders leading by example on climate... www.nature.com/articles/s41...
More details on leading by example here... www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Politicians flying less or cutting out meat is ‘missing link’ in climate action
Exclusive: Study suggests people more willing to reduce own carbon footprint if they see leaders doing the same
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:52 PM
More details on leading by example here... www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wise messaging👏, in case of interest... bsky.app/profile/stev...
A canny political and media strategy from @zackpolanski.bsky.social. Immediately he defuses climate delayers’ favourite cynical attack lines, and avoids headlines like “Polanski says you should never go on holiday, drive a car, or eat meat”.
But, crucially, he's leading by example...
1/🧵
But, crucially, he's leading by example...
1/🧵
People can still be an environmentalists if they drive, fly and eat meat, said @zackpolanski.bsky.social, the leader of the Green Party.
He also talked about social media, whether talks about the environment enough, nuclear power, IHT and farmers, Rosebank & more
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
He also talked about social media, whether talks about the environment enough, nuclear power, IHT and farmers, Rosebank & more
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
January 12, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Wise messaging👏, in case of interest... bsky.app/profile/stev...
Reposted by Dr Steve Westlake
6/ Since high income often equates to high status, that gives wealthy people a disproportionate social & cultural influence
But as @steveclimate.bsky.social argues, they should be leading by example - not explicitly endorsing the most problematic behaviours and lifestyles
But as @steveclimate.bsky.social argues, they should be leading by example - not explicitly endorsing the most problematic behaviours and lifestyles
Politicians flying less or cutting out meat is ‘missing link’ in climate action
Exclusive: Study suggests people more willing to reduce own carbon footprint if they see leaders doing the same
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:28 AM
6/ Since high income often equates to high status, that gives wealthy people a disproportionate social & cultural influence
But as @steveclimate.bsky.social argues, they should be leading by example - not explicitly endorsing the most problematic behaviours and lifestyles
But as @steveclimate.bsky.social argues, they should be leading by example - not explicitly endorsing the most problematic behaviours and lifestyles
Extreme inequality in personal carbon emissions is a massive issue. Addressing is matter of justice and, crucially, is essential for achieving buy-in for climate policies.
Perhaps understandable this is not a fight Polanski is choosing right now.
6/6
Perhaps understandable this is not a fight Polanski is choosing right now.
6/6
January 12, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Extreme inequality in personal carbon emissions is a massive issue. Addressing is matter of justice and, crucially, is essential for achieving buy-in for climate policies.
Perhaps understandable this is not a fight Polanski is choosing right now.
6/6
Perhaps understandable this is not a fight Polanski is choosing right now.
6/6
By decentring individuals, Polanski makes it harder for billionaire-owned media and political rivals to portray him as “extreme” (although they will still do this).
And by walking the talk, he gains credibility and avoids accusations of hypocrisy.
But, one key further points...
5/
And by walking the talk, he gains credibility and avoids accusations of hypocrisy.
But, one key further points...
5/
January 12, 2026 at 12:42 PM
By decentring individuals, Polanski makes it harder for billionaire-owned media and political rivals to portray him as “extreme” (although they will still do this).
And by walking the talk, he gains credibility and avoids accusations of hypocrisy.
But, one key further points...
5/
And by walking the talk, he gains credibility and avoids accusations of hypocrisy.
But, one key further points...
5/
Research has found that people really want consistency between words and actions on climate change. Leaders who make low-carbon choices are more credible, liked, and trusted. The opposite is true too...
4/
theconversation.com/how-world-le...
4/
theconversation.com/how-world-le...
How world leaders’ high-carbon travel choices could delay climate action
Research shows people don’t take politicians seriously on climate change if they don’t seem fully committed.
theconversation.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Research has found that people really want consistency between words and actions on climate change. Leaders who make low-carbon choices are more credible, liked, and trusted. The opposite is true too...
4/
theconversation.com/how-world-le...
4/
theconversation.com/how-world-le...
His behaviour signals what he thinks is appropriate personal action in a climate emergency, while acknowledging others' circumstances, and not directly telling anyone what to do (which few of us enjoy).
But leading by example on climate is crucial and powerful...
3/
But leading by example on climate is crucial and powerful...
3/
January 12, 2026 at 12:42 PM
His behaviour signals what he thinks is appropriate personal action in a climate emergency, while acknowledging others' circumstances, and not directly telling anyone what to do (which few of us enjoy).
But leading by example on climate is crucial and powerful...
3/
But leading by example on climate is crucial and powerful...
3/
His actions speak louder than words: “Polanski… is vegan and does not fly or drive. ‘I have the privilege and the time to be able to make those choices,’ he told The Times. ‘Someone can be an environmentalist and still not be able to make those choices’”.
This is clever messaging because...
2/
This is clever messaging because...
2/
January 12, 2026 at 12:42 PM
His actions speak louder than words: “Polanski… is vegan and does not fly or drive. ‘I have the privilege and the time to be able to make those choices,’ he told The Times. ‘Someone can be an environmentalist and still not be able to make those choices’”.
This is clever messaging because...
2/
This is clever messaging because...
2/
Thanks Tina! The speakers were brilliant
November 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Thanks Tina! The speakers were brilliant
I don't, but I'm sure that info will be published soon
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I don't, but I'm sure that info will be published soon