In 2017 we published a list of the Top 50 Women in Climate to Follow on Twitter. This sparked an amazing reaction, as well as a deluge of follow up emails and tweets highlighting yet more amazing women leading the charge on climate science and policy especially. For International Women’s Day 2019 we have updated it again!
The list is comprised of women leading the way in discussions on all things climate and sustainability across science, policy, journalism, and from NGOs and private sector.
They are listed in order of the number of followers on Twitter, pick your faves or do yourself a favour and follow them all. If you think there are amazing women missing from this list, get in touch and we’ll update it again soon.
Special Mention
If you don’t know this 16 year old climate activist, where have you been?
In August 2018, she became a prominent figure for starting the first school strike for climate outside the Swedish parliament building. This has led to tens of thousands of students from the U.S to Japan joining her #FridaysforFuture strikes
Tweets about: climate change, #fridaysforfuture, not accepting the status quo.
Top 20 Scientists
Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University
Tweets about: Climate change risk and the realities of climate change, climate action, climate change science
Ice Age Ecologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Maine
Tweets about: The Arctic, reducing fossil fuel usage and pollution, climate science
Climate scientist and chief scientist for the non-profit environmental organisation Climate Central
Tweets about: Impacts of climate change on cities, the environment, weather, health and the economy
Author and Professor of the History of Science and Affiliated Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard
Tweets about: Carbon emissions and pollution, clean energy, climate disasters
Lecturer in Environmental Sciences at The Open University
Tweets about: Antarctica, impacts of global warming on oceans and ice, The Open University
British ecologist and conservation scientist; Professor of Biodiversity and Ecoystems at University College London
Tweets about: Impacts of climate change on the environment and health, natural capital
American climate scientist and Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, also a Georgia Power Faculty Scholar
Tweets about: Low carbon transition, carbon sequestration, oceans, women in science
Professor in Architecture and Sustainable Construction at Loughborough University
Tweets about: Ethical and responsible sourcing, sustainability in the built environment
Research Associate at the University of Washington; Board Member of 500 Women Scientists and the Center for Women & Democracy
Tweets about: Long-term climate trends and climate records, women in science, women leaders
Scientist at Columbia University and the NASA Goddard Institute of Space studies
Tweets about: Impacts of climate change on weather, witty comments on climate change in the news and deniers
Associate Professor of Sustainability Science at Lund University in Sweden
Tweets about: Impacts of climate change on agriculture, weather and ecosystems
Associate Professor at the University of Tasmania specialising in climate change ecology; editor in chief of Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
Tweets about: Impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity, marine life, climate science
French climate scientist and Research Director at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission; co-chair of IPCC Working Group I for the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)
Tweets about: IPCC Special Report, impacts of climate change on weather and cryosphere, climate science
Founder & CEO at Green Gumption, Founder of Eco Action Games, environmental and sustainability specialist
Tweets about: Renewable energy and energy investments, recycling
Research Scientist at Yale University with a focus on extreme weather events and natural hazards; Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Yale Programme on Climate Communication
Tweets about: Climate science, statistics and research; climate disasters, wild fires
Ecosystem ecologist and Associate Professor of Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Tweets about: Wildfires, carbon cycling, food security, soil
CEO of LanzaTech, bioprocessing to make low-carbon chemicals and fuels that displace petroleum
Tweets about: Recycling waste carbon into fuels and chemicals, decarbonisation, biofuels
Policy Analyst in Environmental Health at American Public Health Association
Tweets about: Health impacts of climate change
Senior Researcher, Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University
Tweets about: Energy efficiency, clean growth, renewables, role of business in sustainable and clean growth
Senior Researcher at Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) working on climate-related security risks and policy responses
Tweets about: Climate security, development and peace, climate-related work of SIPRI
Top 20 Policy Makers/Commentators
Leader of the Green Party of Canada
Tweets about: Climate justice and climate change action; delivering on policy and funding for climate change initiatives
Deputy Secretary-General of the UN
Tweets about: Climate Action, SDGs/global goals, resilience
American public administrator and environmental health and air quality expert; former administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Tweets about: Tackling pollution, clean water and air, renewable energy, low carbon transition, EPA, environmental health
Former Australian Senator and leader of the Australian Greens; Global Greens Ambassador
Tweets about: Climate action, climate justice, climate and displacement
Canadian Minister of Environment
Tweets about: Climate action, women leaders, climate policy
Executive Secretary of UNFCCC
Tweets about: UNFCCC, role of women and civil society in climate change action, Paris Agreement, climate policy
Danish politician; Chairperson of the OECD Round Table on Sustainable Development and former European Commissioner for Climate Action in the European Commission
Tweets about: Climate change politics, spreading the word about climate action, sustainable development and the SDGs
Filipino environmentalist, cultural worker, journalist, and politician; the only women to top two senatorial elections (1998 and 2007)
Tweets about: Climate action – tackling pollution and deforestation and promoting more sustainable living, sustainable resource use and management
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
Tweets about: Sustainable Energy for All, SDG7 (energy goal), renewables
CEO European Climate Foundation and Chair of the Board of Governors at the French Development Agency (AFD)
Tweets about: Energy/low-carbon transition, Paris Agreement, European climate change policy
Acting Consumer Futures Scotland Manager at Citizens Advice Scotland; member of the Scottish Green Party
Tweets about: Climate action and policy, energy efficiency, low-carbon transition
Communication Advisor at European Commission (DG Energy)
Tweets about: Renewable energy, clean energy, energy infrastructure
Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia; Board member of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Tweets about: Green buildings, sustainable development, green cities, women in leadership
Chief of Staff at Ministry of Natural Resources Canada
Tweets about: Energy efficiency, clean economy, climate policy (Canadian context)
IPCC Head of Communications and former deputy editor and science editor at Carbon Brief
Tweets about: IPCC and climate change policy
US politician and Founder of Protect Orange County, a community organisation leading the opposition of CPV fracked gas power plant
Tweets about: Environmental justice, anti-fracking, action against climate change
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Tweets about: Role of indigenous people in climate action, climate justice and indigenous rights
Future Energy Leader at World Energy Council, Fossil Free Sweden
Tweets about: Renewable energy, decarbonisation, innovation, technology
Senior Associate Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Chief Partnership Office SE4All
Tweets about: Renewable electricity generation, women and climate change leadership, low-carbon transition
UNFCCC focal point for climate education and youth
Tweets about: Youth and climate action, SDG4 (education), youth empowerment
Top 20 Writers and Journalists
Canadian author and social activist known for her political analyses and criticism of corporate globalisation and capitalism; author of New York Times best seller This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate (2014)
Tweets about: Climate action, environmental activism, climate in the media and politics
Journalist who writes about ethical living for The Guardian; co-host on The One Show
Tweets about: Ethical living and sustainable life choices, topical environmental issues, environmental awareness and impacts
Environment Correspondent at The Guardian; former Environment Correspondent at the Financial Times
Tweets about: Paris Agreement, climate policy, impacts of climate change on ecosystems and the environment
Author and Former environment correspondent and foreign correspondent at The Guardian US
Tweets about: Climate, energy and environment politics in US, economic impacts of climate change
Business journalist Bloomberg with focus on renewable energy and climate change
Tweets about: Climate change in the UK (impacts and mitigation/adaptation strategies), renewable energy, alternative fuel sources, EVs
Energy Editor at The Times; formerly at The Telegraph
Tweets about: All things energy: energy policy, clean energy transition, renewables
Science writer at Gizmodo, a design, technology, science and science fiction website
Tweets about: Climate change science and evidence, mitigation, climate action
Deputy Editor of Climate Home
Tweets about: International politics of climate change, reducing emissions and the fossil fuel industry
Environmental journalist with bylines in The Washington Post, Hakai, Oceans Deeply, Carbon Pulse & others; formerly of Carbon Brief and Climate Home
Tweets about: US climate politics and climate action
Journalist with Thomson Reuters Foundation, editor of zilient.org (online news/network for resilience practitioners)
Tweets about: Climate change in the news: energy, activism, impacts
Freelance environment and science journalist; former Deputy Editor of Energydesk at Greenpeace
Tweets about: Climate action, climate change and health, pollution, anti-fracking, value of ecosystems and biodiversity
Author at CleanTechnica, tech writer specialising in alternative energy, biofuels and new research
Tweets about: Clean power, renewables, EVs, hydrogen fuel/biofuel, energy technology
Bloomberg News reporter focusing on EU climate and energy
Tweets about: Clean energy transition, EVs, renewables, EU climate politics
Politics reporter and writer at InsideClimate News
Tweets about: Climate politics, climate disasters, renewables, zero-carbon growth, anti fossil fuels
Marshall Islander poet and spoken word artist who performed at the opening of the UN Climate Summit in New York 2014; co-founder of non-profit Jo-Jikum dedicated to empowering Marshallese youth to seek solutions to climate change
Tweets about: Climate action to save the Pacific Islands, giving islanders a voice
Freelance journalist focusing on climate and politics; former Editor at DeSmog UK
Tweets about: Climate disasters, impact of climate change on the Arctic and the environment more broadly
Deputy Editor at Business Green
Tweets about: Green economy, EVs, clean energy, green growth, low-carbon infrastructure
Freelance environmental journalist; former Deputy Editor at The Environmentalist
Tweets about: Climate change in the news, health impacts, renewable energy, sustainability and transport
Indigenous writer, freelance journalist, author, activist, photographer and speaker
Tweets about: Climate justice and environmental advocacy, anti-pipelines and fossil fuels
Energy journalist and publicist, energy communication expert, consultant, moderator and speaker
Tweets about: Clean energy transition, Paris Agreement, renewables, zero carbon economy
Top 20 NGO Representatives
The political action partner of Moms Clean Air Force which works to build support to protect children from the health impacts of air pollution
Tweets about: Clean air, pollution, health, climate reports
Executive Director of Greenpeace International
Tweets about: Climate justice, clean energy, climate and environmental activism
Founded by Harriet Shugarman in 2009, ClimateMama seeks to make climate change information and education accessible and understandable to all
Tweets about: Climate action, climate justice, uniting for climate
CEO and President of Ceres
Tweets about: Low carbon transition, role of business in climate change action, clean energy
Executive Director of 350.org, a global non-profit organisation focussed on building 100% clean energy solutions that work for all
Tweets about: Climate change and natural disasters, renewable energy, speaking out about climate change and ‘breaking the silence’
Leading the Just Transition Centre to zero carbon, zero poverty and for workers, jobs and communities, with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and partners
Tweets about: Renewable energy, green economy, business role in climate change, ESG investing
Executive Director RenewableUK, former Head of Climate WWF UK
Tweets about: Renewable power, clean energy infrastructure and development
Policy and Advocacy Officer WWF Cymru
Tweets about: Green infrastructure, circular economy, ecological footprints
CEO World Green Building Council
Tweets about: Green buildings, Net Zero development, sustainable cities
Head of Greener UK Unit at Green Alliance
Tweets about: Green growth and clean growth in UK, environmental management and conservation
Head of Climate Initiatives World Economic Forum (WEF), RE100 Campaign Director
Tweets about: Green economy and investing, renewable energy, RE100, EVs
Executive Director Environmental Defence Fund and ex-Administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Tweets about: Work of the Environmental Defence Fund (EDF), EPA, US climate/energy politics
Principal Researcher/Team Leader at IIED; Legal & Strategy Advisor to the Chair of the LDC Group UNFCCC
Tweets about: Female leadership, climate change and LDCs, adaptation and enhancing resilience in LDCs
Senior Strategic Advisor Disasters & Climate Change at Norwegian Refugee Council/Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
Tweets about: Climate change, disasters and displacement; resilience and risk reduction
Director of Climate Change at CDP
Tweets about: Green finance/investing, business role and transparency
Acting Head of Policy at WWF Scotland
Tweets about: Renewables and clean power, clean growth, green vehicles
Engagement specialist in sustainable business and finance
Tweets about: Green finance, sustainable investment, climate change in the boardroom
International environmental lawyer with expertise in climate change; Associate in the International Climate Action Initiative at the World Resources Institute (WRI)
Tweets about: Climate science, data and facts; climate research, Paris Agreement
Global Director for Climate Programme at the World Resources Institute (WRI)
Tweets about: Paris Agreement and SDGs, effects and impacts of climate change, climate disasters, climate action
Marketing and Communications Associate at Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)
Tweets about: Sustainable development, female empowerment, sustainable business
Top 20 Private Sector Representatives
Olympic snowboarder, co-founder of Always Live Extraordinary (ALEX), a company which aims to shift habits and consciousness for a healthy and sustainable world
Tweets about: Protecting winters, circular economy, climate action, Paris Agreement
Convener of Mission 2020. Costa Rican diplomat with 35 years of experience in high level national and international policy and multilateral negotiations
Tweets about: Reducing GHG emissions, fossil fuels, the carbon market, EVs
Independent communications strategist, specialising in influencer relations for climate action/impact non-profits
Tweets about: Urban transport (bikes), climate change and cities, pollution
Owner of Climate Social, a digital marketing firm for sustainable businesses
Tweets about: Role of business in climate change, circular economy, CSR, clean power
Founding director of The Varda Group, a consultancy providing campaign, communications and strategic advice to NGOs; former Executive Director of the Global Call for Climate Action
Tweets about: Clean energy, impacts of climate change on the environment and economy, climate politics
Senior Policy Advisor in Climate Diplomacy and Risk at E3G; Trustee with Climate Outreach
Tweets about: Climate resilience and risk management; climate security, geopolitics and governance
Founder of ClearBright Consulting, a boutique communications and events management agency specialising in sustainable development, climate change, sport, technology and innovation; Board Member at UKHarvest
Tweets about: Communications services in sustainability, climate change, renewables, sport and sustainable development
Veolia Executive Vice-President UK & Ireland
Tweets about: Renewable energy, waste management, recycling, circular economy
Former American professional golfer and Principal at IMPACT360 Sports, a whole value sustainability consulting firm
Tweets about: Sustainable lifestyles, CSR, role of business in climate action and sustainability
Senior Partner at the 5T Sports Group, brand optimisation strategist for the Sports Industry
Tweets about: Sustainability in sport, biofuels, circular economy, good business and CSR in sport, brand optimisation
Vice President, Strategy & Operations at Swiss Re
Tweets about: Sustainability, resilience, conservation, role of public and private sector in climate action
Head of FGR Community at Forest Green Rovers, the world’s greenest football club and Ambassador of Ecotricity Group Ltd
Tweets about: Forest Green Rovers, sustainable lifestyle choices, EVs, wind power, Ecotricity
Integrated communications, sustainability and heritage consultant, the purpose business
Tweets about: Green business, sustainable cities/urban development
CEO of LanzaTech, bioprocessing to make low-carbon chemicals and fuels that displace petroleum
Tweets about: Recycling waste carbon into fuels and chemicals, decarbonisation, biofuels
Senior Advisor specialising in climate change, security and peace-building at Adelphi
Tweets about: Economic impacts and implications of climate change; climate policy
Sustainability and sport expert
Tweets about: Sport and sustainability, power of sport to boost development and promote climate action, NASCAR
Founder and CEO of the Global Good Awards; former Formula One photographer
Tweets about: Circular economy, sustainable business, supply chain sustainability, responsible investing and consumption
Sustainability Director at PCSG and Founder of Earth to Ocean
Tweets about: Circular economy, sustainability in sport, sustainable urban development and infrastructure
Director of Clean Air Fund; Member of the Global Future Council on Energy at the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Tweets about: Clean air, renewable energy, hydrogen fuel, batteries, decarbonisation
Senior Web Project Manager at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NWEL)
Tweets about: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NWEL), solar and wind energy