Simon Evans

Posts/data about climate+energy

Press Gazette energy & envt journo of yr 2022

Deputy Ed, Senior Policy Ed @CarbonBrief

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[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

NEW ANALYSIS: UK emissions fell 2.4% in 2025 as coal fell to a 400-year low. Incredibly, we used less coal last year than than in 1600, when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne and Shakespeare was writing Hamlet.

All the details in our article: https://t.co/bub09Kb1h0

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

@ozzgurbuz Thanks, Özgür. Yes we made some bad choices yesterday trying to make it to the venue 😂

Honestly, I did not expect my comments to be perceived as so political!

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

Sharing this post from Tais, for those suggesting I was spreading "lies" about the disastrous logistics at COP31

[Tais Gadea Lara @TaisGadeaLara]

🇹🇷 EL tema de la #COP31 es la pésima organización -si la hubo- del transporte para llegar y volver del predio. En 12 años cubriendo COP, jamás vi algo tan desastroso. Y estamos trabajando 24/7, no de vacaciones

Ej: debería llevarme 1 hora en llegar y hoy me tomó casi 3 horas.

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

The big COP31 "news" being announced by UK prime minister Andy Burnham is for investment in the Vanguard East/West and Berwick Bank offshore windfarms

I saw "news", because these projects already secured govt contracts in January 2026:

https://t.co/2X8U5CoY8q

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

UPDATE on supporters of the COP31 "35 by 35" electrification pledge

I've learned that there is a list of more than a dozen signatories + a longer list of supporters

More in my CB Connect post:

https://t.co/IIPfkVwoUp

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

@LFFriedman @jburroughsa I think there were maybe 2-3 (?) different versions of how the access restrictions would work today – and that's just counting what got sent out officially

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

#COP31 chronicles:

If you're not here already, you won't get in until this afternoon.

As weary early risers streamed past external security at 7.03, fresh from the sardine tin they call a tram, we were told "last 3 mins before gate closes".

Long lines for blue zone security.

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

@RusselHookBarr @prairieair You know X has a translate function, right? And you have the cheek to talk about manners?

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

@prairieair It's sad what social media has done to common courtesy – and you're an academic?!

I reported accurately on what I was told as I arrived.

Great that you got in, but the fact that access has continued is a reflection of the chaotic situation here, rather than of my motives.

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

@agailani90 yes it seems, despite what was circulated yesterday and what I heard this morning, people are still getting in

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

@taylandil I don't know who you are, but it looks like you are a fellow journalist, in which case you will understand why I object to your accusation of "lies" in the strongest possible terms. I reported accurately what I heard.

The chaotic messaging on access is not on me.

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

@davidwaskow yes I've heard a few reports saying the same; I have no idea what the suited (security service?) person was on about in that case, but glad you made it!

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

Full details over on CB Connect:

https://t.co/xtPQgECQcm

2/2

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

COP31: Who supports the "35 by 35" electrification target?

It's a question many of you will have been grappling with. Having sat through a lengthy ministerial in Plenary Akdeniz in Antalya, I can now offer a few answers.

1/2

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

#COP31 travel a total farce.

Organisers really need to get a grip, else tempers will fray quickly.

Two hours on a bus. Turfed off to get the tram. No space on the tram.

Half the freeway closed (for VIPs??).

Considering walking.

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

COP31 agenda adopted! Moments ago in Antalya, Turkey, Murat Kurum outlined how an "agenda fight" had been averted. I've posted details of what was agreed on CB Connect:

https://t.co/6ySbuDNOJe

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

I'll be at COP31 next week – and with more than 100 agenda items to keep track of, it's going to be busy!

As ever, please drop me a line if you have any questions – or if you think we've missed something

https://t.co/JQ092gv2w8

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

COP31 TEXT TRACKER: We've just fired up the Carbon Brief text tracker, to help you stay on top of the latest draft documents at the negotiations in Antalya, Turkey

https://t.co/JWQkDjmGfe

[AukeHoekstra @AukeHoekstra]

Just made an update from "my" Solar reality vs IEA graph for an upcoming book called "Power to the People". The difference is still going strong...

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

Link to post questions: https://t.co/h00nJbnnHS

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

++Ask Me Anything about COP31: Today 3pm UK++

What do you want to know?

Have Qs about electrification, the "just transition mechanism" or "agenda fights" over trade tariffs & adaptation finance?

Get your Qs for me + colleagues in now: