Climate change

Tackling climate breakdown – how do government strategies measure up?

Mike Childs16 Nov 2021

In the run-up to and at the climate talks at COP26, there was an avalanche of pledges, promises and strategies – but do they add up? Mike Childs, Head of Science, Policy & Research, gives his verdict.

Tip of the iceberg: The future of fossil fuel extraction

26 Oct 2021

This report explores how the UK government supports fossil fuel extraction at home and abroad. It reveals the 40 new UK oil, gas and coal extraction projects that are in the pipeline for approval in the next few years.

A dangerous distraction – the offsetting con

Mike Childs and Paul de Zylva22 Oct 2021

Carbon offsetting and nature offsetting are both worsening the climate and nature emergencies. They can’t be made to work, at least not at scale, and trying to do so is dangerous distraction from the real job at hand, cutting carbon emissions and restoring nature.

Global Britain? 6 ways the UK can protect and restore nature

Paul de Zylva04 Oct 2021

What can the government do to restore nature here and overseas?

Near You

12 Jul 2021External link

Near You is a data-driven tool that provides you with stats about your area's performance on climate and shows you how to work with local leaders to improve key areas like woodland cover and transport.

20 actions parish and town councils can take on the climate and nature emergency

Mike Childs24 Jun 2021

Parish and town councils may not be as powerful as local authorities but they can be a force for change in addressing the climate and nature emergency.

2021 - A big year for climate, nature and poverty

Paul de Zylva03 Jun 2021

Will government and business leaders act on the triple emergency? Or will government and business-as-usual win?

Are England’s new plans for trees and peat fit for purpose?

Paul de Zylva20 May 2021

The government’s Peat and Trees Action Plans were expected, but are they worth the wait? Paul de Zylva picks the highs, the lows, and points to what comes next.

The climate crisis - how international trade must change 

Kierra Box08 Feb 2021

Trade campaigner Kierra Box starts a conversation about which trade policy levers could deliver positive change and where politics needs to shift. 

Faster, deeper and fairer carbon pollution cuts needed

Mike Childs27 Jan 2021

Faster, deeper and fairer cuts to carbon emissions than those recommended by the Climate Change Committee are possible and necessary.

Privatising the planning system: just for the few? 

Naomi Luhde-Thompson, Senior Planner14 Jan 2021

Why proposed planning reforms are socially unjust and bad for climate change. 

Climate emergency - how do local authorities get people out of their cars?

Mike Childs07 Jan 2021

Why making the right decisions about car use now can help local authorities on the pathway to net zero.

Why council action on climate is vital

Sandra Bell08 Dec 2020

Sandra Bell explains why local council action is vital to achieving net zero and why the government must give them greater support as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.

Planning for the future - Friends of the Earth response to the White Paper

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.

How can government help English councils act on climate breakdown?

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.