We’re throwing away millions of kilos of clothing every week — and our hospitals are among the worst offenders. This week, Hugh and Dan speak with Tom Dawson, founder of Revolution Zero, to explore the hidden environmental disaster of textiles — from fast fashion to hospital scrubs.
Tom reveals how healthcare’s obsession with disposables is fuelling climate change and why polyester might just be the unlikely hero in our fight for a sustainable future. From washing your clothes colder to rewriting hospital laundry standards, Tom lays out a compelling case for reusables, circular systems, and local jobs.
If you've ever worn clothes (yes, that’s all of us), this episode is for you.
In this powerful episode of the Real Zero Podcast, Professor Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor at Oxford, joins host Hugh Montgomery to explore the fragility of the global food system under climate change. From the collapse of major grain crops to the underestimated impact of food price inflation, Paul lays out the stark choices we face – and the hopeful path forward.Discover how a shift to plant-rich diets could free up land, reduce emissions, increase resilience, and even improve our health. Paul and Hugh connect the dots between climate shocks, geopolitics, energy, and economics in a conversation that’s both urgent and optimistic.Whether you’re a policymaker, a parent, or just someone who eats, this is a must-listen episode.
The climate crisis isn’t just about rising seas and hotter summers. It’s about national security, migration, infrastructure, and global stability.
In this gripping episode, Lt General Richard Nugee joins Professor Hugh Montgomery and Daniel Grant to talk about:
This episode goes far beyond the usual conversation — into geopolitics, defence, and disaster readiness.
What if fixing climate change starts with what’s on your plate?
Professor Liz Robinson, Acting Dean at the LSE Global School of Sustainability, joins Hugh Montgomery and Daniel Grant to unpack the complex relationship between food systems, climate change, and inequality. From supermarket shelves to global crop shocks, we explore why our diets matter more than ever – and what individuals, businesses, and governments can do to fix a system on the brink.
A must-listen for anyone who eats.
George Polk has been fighting the climate fight for 25 years—from philanthropic coalitions to investing in clean tech at scale. In this powerful episode, George lays out five phases of climate engagement and why, despite better tech and clearer threats than ever, we are still failing.
We dig into:
Your money has power—and it’s probably being used to fund fossil fuels.
In this episode of The Real Zero Podcast, we're joined by Lisa Stanley, co-founder of Zero, a sustainable digital money app that helps you track—and reduce—your carbon footprint based on how you spend.
Lisa explains:
- Why most banks are still financing climate destruction
- How Zero gives you a personal Green Score to measure your impact
- The future of offsetting (the good kind) and why basalt rocks might just save us
- What you can do today to make your money matter
This is an inspiring, practical conversation that will actually leave you feeling more empowered—not less—about the climate crisis.
🌱 Download the Zero app: https://www.zero.earth
💥 Did you know your pension could be your biggest source of carbon emissions—up to 28 tons a year?
In this eye-opening episode of the Real Zero Pod, Professor Hugh Montgomery speaks with Nick Stoop, founder of Pangea, about how the pensions industry is unknowingly driving the climate crisis—and what you can do about it.
We explore:
This is one of the most practical and powerful climate actions you can take today.
🎧 Listen and subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
This week on the Real Zero Pod, Daniel Grant and Professor Hugh Montgomery sit down with Professor Cameron Hepburn, one of the world’s leading environmental economists from Oxford University.
We explore:
How close humanity really is to climate collapse
The staggering costs of inaction vs the cost of fixing the problem now
Why myths about “warming being good for the economy” persist in global finance
Whether the UK can truly reach “real zero” and how the world could follow
What each of us can do—not just as individuals, but as part of a collective system change
This is a no-nonsense conversation about time running out, money on the table, and the actions that can still change our future.
🎧 Watch or listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
In this gripping solo episode of Real Zero, Professor Tim Lenton — one of the world’s leading Earth system scientists — joins Hugh Montgomery to unpack just how close we are to climate tipping points. From collapsing ice sheets to Gulf Stream shutdowns, Tim explains why even "small" temperature rises carry catastrophic consequences for civilisation. Together they discuss why we’re not prepared, why adaptation may be impossible, and how systemic risk is grossly underestimated. But there’s hope too: Tim outlines the idea of positive tipping points and how each of us can help push the system toward rapid, transformative change. A must-listen for anyone who thinks “just 3°C” doesn’t sound that bad.
In this eye-opening Season 2 premiere of Real Zero, TV doctor and infectious diseases expert Dr. Chris van Tulleken joins Dan and Hugh for a searing conversation about climate change, corporate power, and the food system. Chris explains why climate collapse is already here, how the modern diet is harming both people and the planet, and why personal responsibility might be the wrong narrative. Expect furious truth-telling about processed food, meat, methane, and the fossil fuel playbook — and why real change demands more than individual action. Packed with insight, anger, and unexpected hope, this is a must-listen for anyone who eats food and cares about the future.
In this special recap episode of Real Zero, hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant reflect on the highlights, lessons, and urgent themes from Season 1. They discuss the growing climate crisis, from the latest scientific findings to the stark realities of political and economic inaction. However, the episode is also filled with hope, focusing on the tangible actions individuals, businesses, and governments can take to drive real change.
Hugh and Dan revisit powerful insights from their guests, including the need to transition to renewable energy, divest from fossil fuels, and adopt sustainable lifestyles. They emphasize the importance of empowering others, sharing practical steps like switching banks, moving to green energy suppliers, and eating more plant-based foods.
In this episode of Real Zero, hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant speak with Tom Parsons, Director at Good Energy, about the critical role of renewable energy in combating climate change. They explore how switching to genuine green energy suppliers, installing solar panels, and adopting heat pumps can significantly reduce household and business carbon emissions.
Tom explains the current state of the UK energy mix, highlighting that 50% of the grid is now powered by renewables, but much more needs to be done. The discussion also unpacks common misconceptions about green tariffs, the reality of energy pricing, and the challenges of balancing the grid with intermittent renewable sources.
The conversation dives into practical solutions, such as switching to a 100% renewable supplier, adopting energy-efficient technologies, and supporting policies that accelerate the transition to renewables. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on how to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
If you want to find out more please go to:
https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/
In this episode of Real Zero, hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant are joined by Paul Newnham — global climate expert and head of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, Chef’s Manifesto, and host of the Future Fork podcast. Together, they dive into the critical intersection of climate change and global food systems, exploring how rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and resource scarcity are putting farmers — especially in less developed regions — on the knife-edge of survival.
The conversation highlights the paradox of our current food system: we overproduce and waste staggering amounts of food while many still go hungry. The discussion focuses on sustainable solutions, including the need for more efficient and economic food production, adopting more plant-based diets (without necessarily going fully vegan), and the benefits of eating locally produced food.
Tune in for an engaging and eye-opening discussion on how we can rethink our relationship with food to secure a healthier planet and future for everyone.
In this episode of Real Zero, hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant sit down with Tony Burdon, CEO of Make My Money Matter, to explore how your financial choices — from your bank account to your pension — can either drive or mitigate the climate crisis.
Tony shares insights into the systemic issues in the financial world, revealing how many banks and pension funds continue to heavily fund fossil fuel companies despite the catastrophic consequences. He explains the importance of aligning investments with 1.5°C climate targets and how small actions, like switching your bank or demanding greener pension options, can collectively drive systemic change.
They also discuss the power of collective action, the growing demand for sustainable financial products, and the practical steps individuals, organizations, and governments can take to shift investments toward renewable energy and sustainable industries.
Learn how to identify the banks and funds that align with your values, why switching is easier than you think, and how every financial decision you make can have a real impact on our planet’s future.
It's new years so we're on a break, but here's a quick festive pod to recap, let you know where we're going with the rest of the series and what New Year's Resolutions to make!
Some incredible episodes coming up - every Sunday. Please do like, subscribe and share!
In this episode of Real Zero, hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant speak with Professor Paul Ekins, an expert in environmental economics and energy systems, about the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and the economic challenges we face in achieving this goal.
They discuss the stark reality that we have just six years left before exceeding the carbon budget for the 1.5°C target — and why fossil fuel companies continue to prioritize profit over sustainability. The conversation dives into the political, financial, and social inertia keeping us dependent on fossil fuels and explores practical steps individuals can take to create change.
Key takeaways include how switching your bank accounts, investments, and pensions away from fossil fuel-supporting institutions can send a powerful market signal, and how carbon pricing and government policies are crucial levers for systemic change. Discover how millions of small actions can make markets jump — and why every fraction of a degree matters.
Tune in to learn how to wield your financial choices, voting power, and everyday decisions to help divert the global climate supertanker toward a brighter future.
Please do follow and subscribe, and share this podcast to 7 other people!
Welcome to the first episode of Real Zero! In this inaugural episode, co-hosts Dr. Daniel Grant and Professor Hugh Montgomery set the stage for the series by exploring the urgent realities of climate change. Dr. Grant, with a curious mind but limited knowledge on the topic, interviews Professor Montgomery — a leading climate expert, intensive care consultant, chair of the Lancet Commission on Climate, and founder of the non-profit Real Zero.
They break down the latest climate science and news, revealing the stark truths about what’s happening to our planet and what could lie ahead. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The conversation pivots to hope and action, highlighting 7 key steps each of us can take today — as individuals, businesses, and healthcare systems — to help drive the urgent change needed.
Tune in to find out how you can be part of the solution and help create a brighter, more sustainable future for the next generation.