Carbon Brief is a specialist online publication covering the latest developments in climate science, energy and policy. Our journalism combines rapid-response analysis that counters misleading media and political narratives with in-depth explanatory reporting designed to support researchers, policymakers and the wider public in understanding the nuance and complexity of climate change.
At Carbon Brief, data visualisation and explainer graphics are central to the reporting process. This might mean building and maintaining in-house databases over many years, developing recurring analytical frameworks and refining scientific charts that can guide readers through technically complex subjects.
Carbon Brief is not dependent on advertising revenue, and not driven by traffic incentives or commercial subscriptions alone. This means we are able to invest in longer-form visual journalism that prioritises clarity, evidence and longevity. Our interactives and data projects are designed to remain useful references long after publication, whether explaining attribution science, tracking media narratives around climate policy or unpacking emerging scientific risks.
In this talk, the Carbon Brief visuals team will share the editorial and design strategy behind our approach to online climate communication. Through examples spanning climate science and climate policy — including maps, video, charts and interactive storytelling — we will discuss how we balance complexity with immediacy and the challenges posed when communicating to different audiences.