The Investigative Agenda for Climate Change

Although there has been progress on the development of affordable green energy, global greenhouse gas emissions are rising inexorably, according to one of the world’s leading authorities, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change is global, but the causes are not: fossil fuels - largely coal, oil, and gas - account for more than 75% of global greenhouse gasses. Despite the climate crisis the world’s fossil fuel producers are planning massive expansions, according to the 2023 Production Gap Report. This growth is occurring even though many governments and corporations around the world have made net-zero and other climate change mitigation pledges.
Thousands of journalists around the world are reporting on and investigating the impact of climate change, and multiple reporting networks have been established to further this work. Sharing ideas, strategies, and techniques is critical at a time when the investigative agenda in this area is so diffuse and varied.
GIJN has contributed to the debate about the investigative agenda for climate change journalism with the publication of a report on a one-day meeting of 80 climate change journalists and experts from 35 countries to discuss the role of investigative journalism in climate crisis reporting, convened at the GIJN’s most recent global conference.
In this panel, leading climate change journalists and experts - who all contributed to the discussion and report - will share perspectives on the top priorities for investigative journalism on climate change, including the fossil fuel industry, government policies, climate change finance, and the interface between climate and socio-economic forces.
Matthew Green is global investigations editor at DeSmog, leading coverage of the global climate crisis, energy politics, and the struggles for environmental justice through an international lens. He has previously worked at Reuters and the Financial Times, and writes the Resonant World newsletter exploring connections between the climate crisis and collective trauma.
Sunita Narain is the director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a public interest research and advocacy organization based in New Delhi that researches into, lobbies for, and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable. A writer and environmentalist with more than 40 years in the field, she also serves as treasurer of the Society for Environmental Communications and editor of the fortnightly magazine, Down To Earth.
Amy Westervelt is an award-winning investigative journalist and executive producer of the independent podcast production company Critical Frequency, which specializes in reported narrative podcasts. A 20-year veteran investigative journalist, Westervelt’s work is often cited as amongst the earliest examples of accountability reporting on climate.
The moderator is Sheila Coronel, professor of journalism and director of the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York. She began reporting in the Philippines during the Marcos dictatorship, co-founded the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and served as the Center’s first executive director.
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The Global Investigative Journalism Network is an international association of journalism organizations that support the training and sharing of information among investigative and data journalists-with special attention to those from repressive regimes and marginalized communities.
Our key activities include:
Providing resources and networking services to investigative journalists worldwide;
Publishing in multiple languages and on multiple platforms the latest tools, techniques and opportunities for those in the field;
Helping organize and promote regional and international training conferences and workshops;
Assisting in the formation and sustainability of journalism organizations involved in investigative reporting and data journalism around the world;
Supporting and promoting best practices in investigative and data journalism;
Supporting and promoting efforts to ensure free access to public documents and data worldwide.
Find more information on our website: gijn.org