Policies for green and fair recovery plans across the UK
14 Jul 2020
Right now, there's an unprecedented breadth of people, organisations, and businesses calling for COVID-19 recovery plans to be green and fair. We spell out the policy changes needed to deliver on this aspiration.
Nine principles for using our land wisely at a time of climate and nature crises
Sandra Bell01 May 2020
How we use our land sometimes seems like a 1000-piece jigsaw where we need to put the right pieces in the right places - to cut climate emissions and boost nature. It’s particularly tricky because there’s more than one correct way to complete it. In this article I propose 9 principles that fit with Friends of the Earth’s approach to tackling the climate and nature crises here and overseas – a guide to completing the jigsaw.
The impact of coronavirus on the planning system
Kate Gordon24 Apr 2020
COVID-19 is causing widespread disruption to the UK planning system, which is there to ensure that the development and use of land is in the public interest. How can the right of the public to hold local decision-makers to account (and scrutinise plans for development) be protected during these difficult times?
The role of hydrogen in our future
Mike Childs21 Apr 2020
Hydrogen fuel has long been hailed as the silver bullet that will free us from fossil fuels, but it's time for a reality check on its production and use in a low-carbon economy .
Rewild our countryside and refarm our cities
Alasdair Cameron01 Apr 2020External link
Bringing more food production into our cities will have many benefits argues Alasdair Cameron
Ending plastic pollution – briefing
Julian Kirby19 Mar 2020
Friends of the Earth's briefing on how to end plastic pollution.
Finding the land to double tree cover
Guy Shrubsole with research by Chris Gordon-Smith17 Mar 2020
Is there really space in the UK to double tree cover? And where’s best to grow all those trees?
Post Brexit - the UK at the crossroads
Kierra Box, Trade Campaigner06 Mar 2020
The UK has left the European Union. Will the government make the right decisions to protect the environment?
Budget exacerbates climate breakdown
Mike Childs06 Mar 2020
We set ten tests for the Budget - just how well did the new Chancellor do?
Climate emergency – system change v lifestyle change
Clare Oxborrow02 Mar 2020
Based on recent research we argue that changing behaviour has an important role to play in transforming politics to save the planet.
Ruling against Heathrow expansion – impacts and significance
Katie de Kauwe28 Feb 2020
Friends of the Earth won its campaign to protect the climate from Heathrow's planned third runway. Lawyer Katie de Kauwe reflects on the significance of the win – and what it might mean for other projects.
Why the Agriculture Bill must support pesticides reduction
Sandra Bell13 Feb 2020
After being on hold for a year the Agriculture Bill came back to Parliament in January 2020. The government promises it will help farmers boost nature and tackle climate change. Will it help reverse the damage from overuse of pesticides in our countryside?
Planting more trees can help cut pesticide use
Sandra Bell17 Dec 2019
Planting trees on farms can help reduce pests and diseases and cut the need for chemicals.
Our rights to challenge bad environmental decisions at risk
Julia Eriksen, Phil Michaels Legal Scholar12 Dec 2019
Our new report "A Pillar of Justice" reveals how changes to the law are making it more difficult to stop environmental destruction.
The problem with pesticides
Paul de Zylva10 Dec 2019752 kB PDF file
Although pesticides were used initially to benefit human life through increase in agricultural productivity, this report shows that their adverse effects on nature are substantial and that their use now needs to be minimised for the benefit of ecosystems and food production.