Kate Gordon, Senior Planner12 Nov 2020
The government is proposing changes to the current planning system. Our response outlines our concerns that these will make it harder for local authorities to take account of sustainable development and climate change in planning decisions, remove local democratic oversight and reduce fairness and transparency.
Naomi Luhde-Thompson, Kate Gordon12 Nov 2020
The government recently consulted on its proposed radical reforms to the planning system. We outlined our concerns that these will diminish local accountability, erode local democracy by curtailing the right of communities to influence planning and development in their area and fail to tackle the urgent climate and ecological emergencies.
Danny Gross29 Sep 2020
This report uncovers the untapped potential of natural climate solutions in England’s national parks, and explores how the government and National Park Authorities can better support woodland creation and ecosystem restoration in these treasured landscapes.
Paul de Zylva, Chris Gordon-Smith, Mike Childs15 Sep 2020
This report exposes how widespread green space deprivation is, how it is an issue of racial injustice as well as concern from a public health perspective, and what needs to be done to fix the problem. It also showcases great examples of community led initiatives.
Paul de Zylva, Chris Gordon-Smith, Mike Childs13 Sep 20201.85 MB PDF file
The full report of England's Green Space Gap including more detail, more data, and more references.
Sandra Bell28 Aug 2020
Local authorities can take some action on climate change but they could do so much more if the government empowered and enabled them.
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.
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?
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 .
19 Mar 2020
Friends of the Earth's briefing on how to end plastic pollution.
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?
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.
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.
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?
Sandra Bell17 Dec 2019
Planting trees on farms can help reduce pests and diseases and cut the need for chemicals.