Insight

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.

Effects of pesticides on our wildlife

Paul de Zylva06 Dec 2019

It’s not only bees that are harmed by pesticides. We show how routine use of chemicals harms birds, earthworms, hedgehogs, frogs, wild plants and wider nature.

Cutting pesticides - is technology the answer?

Sandra Bell, Nature campaigner15 Nov 2019

In the first of a series of blogs on innovative farming I ask whether robots could be the solution to cutting our reliance on chemicals.

Public funding for UK trees, woodlands and forests

Paul de Zylva13 Nov 2019

Friends of the Earth analysis shows that UK governments are spending less than £1 per person per year on trees.

Can achieving net zero in Global Britain ever be fair to everyone?

Kierra Box, Trade campaigner06 Nov 2019

Kierra Box asks whether a net zero UK can save us from the climate emergency and also be fair to everyone.

Transforming transport funding to meet our climate targets

Lynn Sloman and Lisa Hopkinson, Transport for Quality of Life04 Nov 2019

Money shouldn't be a barrier to providing brilliant public transport and cycling infrastructure. This briefing outlines the many sources of funding used overseas and makes recommendations for the UK.

The Bee Cause: Are Britain’s bees and pollinators back from the brink?

Paul de Zylva, Nature campaigner04 Nov 2019

Paul de Zylva looks back at the Bee Cause campaign and assesses whether Welsh and English action plans to halt the decline of bees are working. 

Government has key role in shifting us to green lifestyles

Clare Oxborrow29 Oct 2019

What we eat, how we travel and how we heat our homes has a huge climate impact. But what should the government be doing to help us live greener lives?

A radical transport response to the climate emergency

Lynn Sloman and Lisa Hopkinson, Transport for Quality of Life26 Oct 2019

Transport is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and emissions are rising. This briefing outlines far-reaching changes to deliver the reductions needed and ensure a decent transport system that works for everyone.

An Eco Levy for driving: cut carbon, clean up toxic air and make our towns and cities liveable

Lynn Sloman and Lisa Hopkinson, Transport for Quality of Life23 Oct 2019

This briefing identifies why road pricing is necessary to reduce traffic levels and how using the funds raised to support public transport is critical to its success.