🌡️ Nigel Farage and Climate Denial

Part of the Nigel Farage & Environment hub

Overview

Nigel Farage has long positioned himself as one of Britain’s loudest climate sceptics.
He routinely dismisses the scientific consensus on global warming and attacks environmental policy as “green madness.” His views echo long-standing talking points used by fossil fuel lobbyists and climate denial groups across the UK and the US.

Farage’s stance has helped shape Reform UK’s opposition to Net Zero, while spreading misinformation about the causes and costs of climate action.

Farage’s Record on Climate Science

🔹 “CO₂ isn’t a pollutant, it’s plant food.”
Farage made this claim during GB News coverage in 2024.
👉 Fact check: Misleading. While plants do use CO₂, excess emissions are the primary driver of dangerous global heating.
🧾 Source: Met Office, IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

🔹 “Climate change is a scam.”
Farage has repeatedly framed the issue as a “globalist plot” designed to control people’s behaviour.
👉 Fact check: False. 99% of peer-reviewed scientific papers support human-caused climate change.
🧾 Source: NASA, Carbon Brief, Nature Climate Change

🔹 “Net Zero will destroy jobs and raise bills.”
Reform UK’s platform claims environmental regulation will collapse the economy.
👉 Fact check: False. Government and LSE studies show that Net Zero investment has created thousands of new jobs and lowered long-term costs.
🧾 Source: UK Climate Change Committee, LSE, BEIS data

Media Amplification

Farage’s GB News show and social media platforms have become major vehicles for spreading anti-climate narratives.
Segments often feature climate sceptic guests and misleading framing of renewable energy policy, contributing to public confusion about energy security and affordability.

Political Impact

Farage’s rhetoric influences both right-wing populism and media coverage.
By framing climate policy as an “elitist project,” he positions environmental action as anti-working class, despite evidence showing that green investment disproportionately benefits struggling regions through job creation and cleaner air.

Verdict

Farage’s statements on climate science and environmental policy are overwhelmingly false or misleading.
He relies on populist framing rather than evidence, undermining legitimate debate over how to achieve a fair and sustainable transition.

Sources

• UK Climate Change Committee – Net Zero Reports
• Carbon Brief – Fact-checking Farage’s climate claims
• BBC News – Farage on Net Zero and energy policy
• LSE – Economic impact of green transition
• Met Office – Human influence on climate
• NASA – Scientific consensus on climate change

Navigation

👉 Back to Environment Hub
👉 Next: Reform UK and Net Zero Policy →