Empowering TV For climate action
TV has the power to make us sit up and pay attention. So how do we put climate impact at the heart of all our programmes?
Ignite: Climate Content Summit is our annual event bringing together climate thought leaders, researchers, and TV’s top talent to discuss how to put the climate crisis and the solutions on the screen.
This year, you’ll hear from climate experts about the most pressing issues, as well as finding out how all genres, from reality to drama, can play an important role in bringing them to life. You’ll also hear from Commissioners and Execs to find out what exciting ideas they’re looking for.
Ignite Event Details
Date: 11th June, 2025
Venue: Auditorium 1, the Barbican Centre
Timings: 9.30am – 4.30pm
This Year at Ignite
10am - 10.10am
Welcome!
10.10am - 11.10am
Speakers Include:
Angela Francis, Director of Policy Solutions, WWF-UK
Ashok Sinha, CEO, Ashden Climate Solutions,
Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment Commissioning, UKTV
Joe Hullait, Commissioning Executive, Channel 4
Joycelyn Longdon, Award-winning Environmental Justice Technologist, Author, Speaker, Designer and Educator
Marco Silva, Climate Disinformation Reporter, BBC News
How to Frame the Climate Story?
When 89% of the world want stronger climate action, why is it seen as a polarising issue? We’re joined by climate and TV leaders to question how we can tell better, more unifying climate stories.
11.10am - 11.50am
Speakers Include: Kayleigh Llewellyn, Writer and Executive Producer
Chair: Kiren Dhadwal, TV Consultant, Climate Spring and Freelance Story Producer
In Conversation: Kayleigh Llewellyn
11.50am - 12.35pm
COMING SOON!
Hitting the unscripted brief: entertaining and impactful
12.35pm - 13.30pm
Lunch
13.30pm - 14.30pm
Speakers Include:
David Smyth, Commissioner, Entertainment, ITV
Jay Khagram, Casting Executive – Initial TV
Lucy Wilson, Impact Producer, The Dyers Caravan Park, Sky / Expectation
Patrick McMahon, Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment & Events, BBC
Climate is Reality
Every genre has a role to play in climate storytelling and Reality TV is no exception. Whether it’s through casting or challenges, this session will explore how Reality can lead the way in creating impactful climate content.
14.30pm - 15.30pm
Masterclass: Toxic Town
Masterclass on the making and impact of Toxic Town with writer and creator Jack Thorne and executive producer Annabel Jones.
15.30pm - 15.50pm
Break
15:50pm - 16.10pm
COMING SOON!
Creative Industry Spotlight
16.10m - 16.30pm
COMING SOON!
The Year Ahead
Hear from senior decision makers about what climate stories they want to see next
2024 ignite: Climate Content Summit
In 2024 speakers included Emma Pinchbeck, Energy UK; Suzanne Dhaliwal, Climate Reframe; Nish Kumar, comedian and speakers from Climate Spring; WaterBear; Netflix; BBC; Channel 4; ITV; Sky among many, many more.
2023 the Climate Content Summit
In 2023 speakers included Chris Stark, Committee on Climate Change; Richie Metha, director; Laura Tobin, ITV; Charlotte Moore, BBC; Thimali Kodikara, Doc Society; among many many more.
cLIMATE STORYTELLING HUB
Ready to get more and better climate stories on the screen?
Explore our Climate Storytelling Hub to discover the organisations that can help bring your climate content ideas to life.
We would like to thank our Climate Consulting Committee for all their support bringing this event together: Audrey Gueudet, Cedric Petitpas, Eve Williams, Gaby Hornsby, Jenna Brown, Jeremy Mathieu, Josh Cockcroft, Lisa Cadwallader, Lucy Stone, Nicky Hawkins, Pooja Patel, Rickey Welch, Siobhan Pridgeon, Alfred Lawrie