Responsible Science

We currently focus on four main issues: disarmament and security, climate change and energy, questions of who controls science and technology and issues surrounding new and emerging technologies. You will also see that we work on some other issues too. You can explore these with the menu on the left of this page and with the search function. Material in this section includes all SGR's main outputs since 2005, with a selection of the more important material from before then.

US nuclear weapons return to the UK ready for the RAF

The UK government has announced a new nuclear role for the Royal Air Force using US bombs and aircraft. Dr Philip Webber, SGR, explores the disturbing implications of this surprise announcement.

7 October 2025

Protesters holding a banner that says Stop The Arms Fair

The DSEI arms fair: notes from the front line

Laura Shewan, SGR, reports from the recent protests in London outside the world’s largest ‘exhibition’ of military technology.

6 October 2025

Military greenhouse gas emissions: large, hidden, unaccountable

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, describes how military activities are hidden within greenhouse gas emissions accounting. However, the available data still points to them being a major contributer to the climate crisis.

19 September 2025

Military spending surge is critical threat to climate

Spending on the world’s militaries is climbing rapidly. Dr Stuart Parkinson summarises SGR's major new report examining how this rise is affecting carbon emissions.

16 September 2025

Carbon disarmament: the rise of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

With oil majors abandoning climate targets and politicians friendly to their interests capturing power, Andrew Simms looks at how SGR’s campaigning history inadvertently sparked an idea that informed and framed a major international campaign.

9 Sept 2025

Nuclear weapons: a beginner’s guide to the threats

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the key scientific and technological information on the current threat from nuclear weapons.

4 August 2025 (updated)

Home energy efficiency: progress in Scotland

Dr Keith Baker, Glasgow Caledonian University, and colleagues explain new Scottish Government proposals for improving the environmental performance of homes. It could be a model for use in other nations.

30 July 2025

2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup to be most polluting ever

New research from SGR and collaborators finds that the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Finals are set to be the most polluting World Cup ever, with extreme heat risks to players and fans raising urgent safety concerns.

9 July 2025

Graph showing linear decline in emissions

The UK’s fair carbon budget will run out in 2027: here’s the evidence

Dr Ian Campbell shows how, on current trends, Britain’s carbon emissions will, within two years, exceed its fair share of the estimated global total that will breach the 1.5°C Paris target. He outlines the key implications for policy-makers and society as a whole.

8 July 2025

Military spending and military emissions: the hidden links

Hannah Huibregtsen, Leiden University, highlights the problems of under-reporting of military greenhouse gas emissions, as huge military spending targets are being agreed.

24 June 2025

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