Publication: Dialogue Earth
Topic(s): Data journalism, steel industry, decarbonisation, climate change, green energy, industrial transitions
Rate: Up to $3,300 per article
Deadline: 11 May 2026 (rolling consideration)
Name of Editor: Patrick Moore
Submit Via: Email (patrick.moore@dialogue.earth)

Dialogue Earth is offering high-paying freelance writing opportunities for data journalists and researchers interested in climate journalism, industrial decarbonisation, and energy transition reporting.

They are commissioning in-depth, data-driven features (~1,200 words) focused on the global steel industry and its transition to low-carbon production. This is a strong opportunity for writers specializing in data journalism, environmental reporting, investigative journalism, and sustainability writing.

The steel sector is under pressure to cut emissions by 2050, but progress remains uneven due to technological, financial, and policy constraints. Dialogue Earth is looking for writers who can break down this complex transition using data analysis, visualisation, and compelling storytelling.

Stories should explore how industries are shifting toward greener production while highlighting barriers, innovations, and global trends. There is strong interest in pitches connected to China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, though global perspectives are welcome.

What They’re Looking For:

• Data-driven stories on low-carbon steelmaking technologies and projects
• Investigations into coal use, mining, and just energy transitions
• Coverage of iron ore, global trade, and green material supply chains
• Reporting on green hydrogen and its role in steel production
• Analysis of scrap recycling and circular economy systems
• Features on biomass use and alternative inputs in steelmaking
• Critical reporting on carbon capture and storage claims
• Stories highlighting innovation, engineers, and industry leaders
• Coverage of labour, unions, and workforce transitions
• Insights into market demand and downstream industry influence

Writers will be expected to combine original reporting with datasets, clearly explain their methodology, and present findings through data visualisation techniques.

All submissions must be original, unpublished, and exclusive. Published work will be released under Creative Commons and may be distributed across digital platforms.

Pitch Requirements:

Submit a 300–500 word pitch including:

• Your story idea and reporting approach
• Why the story matters within global decarbonisation trends
• Data sources you’ll use (existing and original), plus verification methods
• How you plan to visualise the data

Also include:

• Links to relevant published work (writing and/or data projects)
• A preliminary budget (fees, research time, data access, tools, etc.)

Collaborative pitches from teams (writers + data journalists) are encouraged.

For guidance, review their pitch guidelines.

---

What This Means for Writers

This is not a beginner freelance writing job. Dialogue Earth is targeting writers with strong data journalism skills, investigative depth, and the ability to translate complex industrial systems into accessible narratives.

If you can position yourself at the intersection of climate reporting + data storytelling, this is a high-ticket opportunity worth pursuing.