Political Heat

Is our democracy up to the challenge of responding to climate change? What do MPs see as their role on climate? And how was it possible for the government to approve a new coal mine in Cumbria, despite being signed up to net zero?

Amy talks with Rebecca Willis, Professor in Energy and Climate Governance at the Lancaster Environment Centre, and author of “Too hot to handle? The democratic challenge of climate change”.

Produced and presented by Amy Mount. 

Edited by Sarah Eldridge. 

For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

How did the oil and gas industry become a force in UK politics? What tactics has it deployed to disrupt climate progress? And what would a fair transition to net zero look like, for the workers and communities that rely on North Sea drilling rigs?

Amy talks with Tessa Khan, Executive Director at Uplift, which supports a rapid and just transition away from oil and gas production in the UK. 

Produced and presented by Amy Mount. 

Edited by Sarah Eldridge. 

For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

Will parties’ net zero policies help or hinder their electoral chances? How has public concern about the climate changed in recent years? And are Red Wall voters as sceptical about cutting carbon as is commonly assumed?

Amy talks with Rachel Wolf, who co-wrote the Conservative Party manifesto in 2019 and is now founding partner at Public First, a policy and public opinion agency. 

Produced and presented by Amy Mount. 

Edited by Sarah Eldridge. 

For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

Political Heat is here to make sense of climate politics. We know the science tells us to phase out fossil fuels. But it’s politics that will determine how we do that. Whose voices matter in decision-making? Who will benefit - and who might lose out?

Host Amy Mount brings two decades’ experience of environmental politics, policy and organising. She interviews a different guest each episode. You’ll hear from seasoned Westminster operators, savvy campaigners, business representatives, opinion pollsters, and more. 

They won’t give you a running commentary. Instead they’ll provide the context you need to understand what’s going on. What are the dynamics that underlie the media headlines? And how might progress be possible?

Look out for new episodes every Wednesday.

Keep in touch!

• Subscribe to the free newsletter that accompanies this podcast at https://politicalheat.substack.com/ 
• Email [email protected]
• Follow @PoliticalHeat24 on Twitter/X