Matt Winning

Comedian | Environmental Economist

Dr Matt Winning is a Scottish comedian, environmental economist, and climate communicator known for blending academic insight with sharp stand-up comedy. With a PhD in climate change policy and a growing presence across television, radio, books, and live performance, Matt Winning brings humour and clarity to one of the world’s most urgent topics.

Matt Winning gestures with arms outstretched while speaking, wearing a grey shirt against a dark background.

Climate Comedy and Broadcasting Career

Dr Matt Winning is a London-based Scottish comedian and environmental economist whose work sits at the intersection of comedy, science, and climate communication. Alongside performing stand-up, Matt has built a reputation for making complex environmental issues accessible and entertaining through humour.

Matt regularly appears across UK television and radio. His TV credits include appearances on Inside Culture (BBC Two), Unspun with Matt Forde (Dave), The State of It (BBC Scotland), and Scot Squad (BBC Scotland). On radio he has been a panellist on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show, as well as BBC Radio Scotland’s Breaking the News.

He is also the host of the BBC Radio 4 series Net Zero: A Very British Problem, which explores the challenges and cultural attitudes surrounding the UK’s journey towards net zero emissions. His media work has established him as a distinctive voice in climate communication, combining rigorous research with a natural comedic delivery.

Live Comedy and Touring

Matt Winning is an established stand-up comedian whose live shows combine lecture-style storytelling, visual presentations, and sharp observational humour. His performances explore climate science, environmental policy, and public attitudes toward climate change, delivering complex topics in an engaging and accessible format.

His critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe shows include Climate Strange (2018), Filibuster (2017), and It’s The End of the World as We Know It, which received strong reviews and led to a nationwide tour. In 2022 he toured a live adaptation of his book Hot Mess, bringing his climate comedy to audiences across the UK and to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Matt’s work has been recognised on the comedy circuit, including being awarded Pick of the Fringe at the Bedford Fringe Festival. His performances often combine data, PowerPoint visuals, and storytelling to create a unique format that both entertains and informs audiences.

Matt Winning Hot Mess — Matt's Hot Mess book

Author, Researcher and Climate Communicator

Alongside his comedy career, Dr Matt Winning is an environmental economist and climate policy researcher. He completed a PhD in climate change policy and has worked in academic and policy roles focused on climate economics and energy transition.

In 2021 he published Hot Mess: What on Earth Can We Do About Climate Change?, a book that combines humour, research, and practical insights into tackling climate change. The book received praise from fellow comedian and author Adam Kay, who described it as “a very funny, important and only moderately terrifying clarion call of a book.”

Matt has also written extensively on environmental issues for publications including The Guardian, New Statesman, The Scotsman, Metro, and The Sunday Post. Through journalism, broadcasting, and live performance, he has become a recognised communicator helping audiences understand the realities of climate change without losing a sense of optimism or humour.

Your set went down excellently! It was great to engage the wider founder community on sustainability and raise awareness of the support they can access through Tech Zero. Your set complimented all the work we have been doing around this perfectly.

Ruth Fussell Event's Lead Tech Nation

I usually find climate change education really anxiety inducing but this was fantastic.

CVI Annual Conference

Thank you Matt for an AMAZING session! It has been an eye opener. Thank you for a great engaging message, love your humour.

Virtual Staff Event

Matt was utterly brilliant and made for a fantastic end to our conference. His set was pitched absolutely perfectly and was an impressive balance of hilarious and profound.

Climate Solutions Conference

From all of us at PEC, a massive thank you for last night. We have had great feedback and your spot was very well received. It was a very long day for some people and you expertly managed to keep them entertained!

Corporate Energy Event 150 pax

Matt’s set was so funny and informative, everyone really enjoyed it. We received lots of great feedback from the guests about it too. I think it was the perfect entertainment for our event.

Carbon Literate Awards

It was amazing to have you join. You drove the message home in such a brilliant way – the feedback from your set has been hugely positive, so thanks so much for helping make the event such a success.

Sammy Fry Net Zero Lead Tech Nation

Winning’s sharp wit and intelligence allows him to educate as he entertains in this excellent stand-up seminar.

Ross Crae Sunday Post

The event was really well received. Matt’s show got plenty of laughs and he provided good answers to some more serious questions from attendees, while keeping things light hearted given the setting – very helpful for colleagues to gain more insight and knowledge from an expert.

Baillie Gifford Climate Exchange Event

Dr Matt Winning is an outstanding choice for organisations seeking an engaging and insightful speaker on climate, sustainability, and the future of the planet. Combining academic expertise with professional comedy experience, Matt delivers keynote talks and live performances that are both entertaining and informative.

His presentations often incorporate data, storytelling, and multimedia visuals to explain climate challenges in an accessible and memorable way. Whether speaking at sustainability conferences, corporate strategy events, or innovation forums, Matt helps audiences understand the practical implications of climate change for business and society.

Matt has spoken and performed at major events including COP28, the Royal Institution, the Net Zero Festival, the UK Schools Climate Assembly, Bluedot Festival, and the BBC Climate Creatives Festival. His ability to balance humour with credible insight makes him equally suited to daytime conference keynotes, panel discussions, and evening entertainment.

Event Formats

Event Hosting

Matt Winning is an experienced host and facilitator for conferences, awards ceremonies, and corporate events. His natural stage presence, quick wit, and strong understanding of environmental issues enable him to keep audiences engaged while ensuring events run smoothly and professionally.

Keynote Speaking

Drawing on his background as both an environmental economist and comedian, Matt delivers memorable keynote talks on climate change, sustainability, and the future of energy and business. His talks combine research, humour, and storytelling to make complex issues understandable and relevant.

Panel Moderation

Matt is a skilled moderator for industry discussions on climate, sustainability, and innovation. His expertise allows him to guide conversations between experts while ensuring audiences remain engaged and discussions remain accessible.

After-Dinner Speaking

For evening events, Matt offers a unique comedy set that blends stand-up, climate science, and multimedia presentations. The result is an entertaining and thought-provoking performance that leaves audiences laughing while reflecting on one of the defining issues of our time.

What makes Matt Winning suitable for corporate events?

Dr Matt Winning brings a rare combination of academic credibility and professional comedy experience to corporate events. With a PhD in climate change policy and a career in environmental economics, he offers genuine expertise on sustainability and climate issues. At the same time, his background as a stand-up comedian allows him to communicate complex ideas with clarity and humour.

This blend of insight and entertainment makes Matt particularly effective for conferences, corporate sustainability programmes, and industry events where organisations want to engage audiences while discussing serious environmental topics.

What types of events does Matt Winning host?

Matt regularly works at conferences, sustainability forums, corporate away days, awards ceremonies, and industry festivals. His presentations are particularly well suited to events focused on climate strategy, ESG initiatives, innovation, and the future of business.

He is equally comfortable delivering keynote speeches, hosting panels, or performing stand-up comedy for evening entertainment.

Can Matt Winning tailor his presentation to an audience?

Yes. Matt regularly adapts his talks and comedy material to suit different audiences, industries, and event themes. He works closely with event organisers to ensure his presentation aligns with the event’s objectives, whether that involves discussing sustainability challenges in a particular sector or addressing broader climate policy issues.

How far in advance should I book Matt Winning?

Booking timelines vary depending on event schedules and touring commitments. For major conferences or high-demand periods such as sustainability summits or awards season, it is advisable to enquire several months in advance to secure availability.

What makes Matt Winning different from other keynote speakers?

Matt Winning stands out because he combines academic expertise with professional comedy. Rather than delivering a traditional lecture, he presents climate science and policy through storytelling, humour, and visual presentations. This approach helps audiences absorb complex information while staying fully engaged.

Is Matt Winning suitable for both formal and informal events?

Yes. Matt is highly versatile and performs successfully in a wide range of environments, from formal corporate conferences and policy events to relaxed festival stages and after-dinner entertainment. His ability to adjust tone and delivery ensures he connects with both professional and informal audiences.