In an unprecedented shift, right-leaning UK newspapers have voiced strong opposition to climate action, marking a significant transformation in media coverage. The year 2025 saw nearly 100 editorials opposing climate initiatives, a marked increase that highlights the growing resistance to the net-zero agenda.
According to analysis by Carbon Brief, this is the first instance since 2011 that opposition in newspaper editorials has surpassed support for climate action. The surge in criticism has been led by prominent right-leaning publications such as the Sun, the Daily Mail, and the Daily Telegraph.
Rising Opposition to Climate Initiatives
In 2025, UK newspaper editorials critical of climate policies outnumbered those in favor for the first time. The analysis shows a consistent increase in opposition over the past four years. This reflects a broader political shift on the UK’s right, where parties like the Conservative Party and Reform UK have moved away from previously supported net-zero goals.
In contrast, left-leaning and centrist outlets like the Guardian and the Financial Times continue to support climate initiatives, though their circulation lags behind their right-leaning counterparts. Overall, 81% of climate-related editorials in right-leaning newspapers opposed climate action in 2025.
Economic Concerns and Net-Zero Skepticism
Editorials opposing climate action overwhelmingly cite economic concerns, with 87% arguing that net-zero policies are financially burdensome. The Sunday Telegraph, for instance, called for the scrapping of net-zero, identifying it as economically ruinous.
Interestingly, none of the editorials questioned the science of climate change; instead, they expressed skepticism about the responses to it. Economic arguments were central to criticisms, portraying net-zero policies as costly and detrimental to energy affordability.
Personal Attacks on Ed Miliband
In addition to climate policy criticism, right-leaning newspapers intensified personal attacks on Ed Miliband, the energy security and net-zero secretary. Throughout 2025, 112 editorials targeted Miliband, often characterizing him as a “zealot” and ridiculing his advocacy for net-zero policies.
These editorials frequently framed climate policies as harmful and attributed them to Miliband’s agenda, despite these policies being a continuation of previous government initiatives.
Renewable Energy Debate
The debate over renewable energy also heated up in 2025, with 42 editorials criticizing renewables. This marks the first time since 2014 that negative coverage of renewables has surpassed supportive articles. Economic concerns were again the primary justification, with editorials labeling renewables as costly and unreliable.
Despite the opposition to renewables, right-leaning publications continued to support nuclear power, citing its perceived economic benefits despite high costs associated with the technology.
Methodology
This article is based on a 2025 update of analysis conducted by Carbon Brief in association with Dr. Sylvia Hayes. The analysis draws on Carbon Brief’s editorial database, regularly updated with leading articles from major UK newspapers.
Original Story at www.carbonbrief.org