Mike Berners-Lee

Founder & Director of Small World Consulting & Author of "The Carbon Footprint of Everything"

  • Professor at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre
  • Contributes thought leadership articles to the World Economic Forum Agenda
  • Appeared in the documentary Climate Change: The Facts with Sir David Attenborough
  • Bestselling author of “There is No Planet B”

Discover Mike Berners-Lee’s biography of published work below.

How Bad Are Bananas
How Bad Are Bananas?: The carbon footprint of everything
There is No Planet B
There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years
The Burning Question
The Burning Question: We Can’t Burn Half the World’s Oil, Coal and Gas. So How Do We Quit?
The Carbon Footprint of Everything

When Mike Berners-Lee is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

Investing for a Sustainable Future
The Big Picture of Everything
Education for the Anthropocene
Business Purpose and Ethics for the 2020s

Mike Berners-Lee stands as a transformative leader in sustainability and climate action, known for his groundbreaking contributions to carbon footprint analysis and climate strategy. As the Founder and Director of Small World Consulting, a firm recognised globally for its expertise in supply chain carbon metrics and environmental management, Mike has reshaped how businesses and institutions understand and reduce their carbon impacts. His work as a Professor at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre further solidifies his role as a thought leader, where he examines and addresses the most urgent environmental issues of the 21st century, focusing on practical, science-based solutions for a sustainable future.

Mike’s academic background is extensive, beginning with a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Oxford, followed by a PGCE in Outdoor Activities and Physics from Bangor University, and a master’s in Organisational Development and Consulting from Sheffield Hallam University. This multidisciplinary foundation underpins his innovative approach to sustainability, blending scientific rigor with practical insights into organisational behaviour and development. Today, he is widely recognised as an authority on carbon footprints, frequently consulted by governments, corporations, and advocacy groups, and featured in prominent publications such as The Times, Forbes, and the Financial Times. In addition to his seminal book “The Carbon Footprint of Everything”, he also contributes thought leadership articles to the World Economic Forum Agenda and The Guardian, where he shares insights on systemic change and global climate resilience.

As the author of three acclaimed books—“How Bad Are Bananas?”, “The Burning Question”, and “There Is No Planet B”—Mike has become a pivotal voice in raising public awareness around climate issues. His writing is celebrated for making complex environmental data accessible, helping individuals and organizations make informed choices that drive significant carbon reductions. His expertise and compelling narrative style have earned him spots on major media outlets, including radio and television, and he appeared alongside Sir David Attenborough in the documentary Climate Change: The Facts.

In his consulting work, Mike develops models for comprehensive supply chain carbon assessments and designs holistic frameworks that help organisations gauge and manage their environmental impacts. In presentations, he provides actionable insights and inspiring visions of a low-carbon future, captivating audiences with his in-depth research and innovative perspectives on sustainability. As a result, he has been regarded as a leading sustainability keynote speaker, receiving an official rating of 9.2/10. Ideal for businesses and institutions seeking informed, impactful responses to climate change, Mike Berners-Lee’s guidance combines world-class research with a passionate commitment to fostering a resilient, sustainable future.

To enquire about Mike Berners-Lee for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@sustainability-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0207 1010 553.