Policies for green and fair recovery plans across the UK
02 Jul 2020573 kB PDF file
Right now, there is 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. Now is our opportunity, we must not squander it.
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 low-carbon transition
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 .
Ending plastic pollution – briefing
19 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?
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
13 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.
Balancing UK Land Use: A Guide to Friends of the Earth’s UK Land Calculator
27 Nov 20191.14 MB PDF fileDirect download
Friends of the Earth has produced a UK Land Use Calculator (referred to below as ‘The Calculator’) that illustrates the issues involved in these questions. This web based graphical tool provides a user friendly way to experiment with choices for future UK land use, and to visualise the nature and scale of their consequences
Balancing UK Land Use: Friends of the Earth’s Illustrative Land Use Scenario
27 Nov 2019847 kB PDF fileDirect download
Friends of the Earth has produced a UK Land Use Calculator. The purpose of the Calculator is to illustrate some of the issues that will affect UK land use over the next 15 years, and to encourage discussion and exploration of these issues. Ultimately such discussion should inform important policy decisions that affect land use in the UK
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.
A pillar of justice: the impact of legislative reform on access to justice
01 Nov 2019790 kB PDF fileDirect download
Our new report reveals how changes to the law are making it more difficult to stop environmental destruction.
Our 2019 General Election manifesto
31 Oct 2019
Friends of the Earth will assess the 2019 political party General Election manifestos based on 10 demands, ranging from policies on aviation to improvements in democracy.