Climate change

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 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 .

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.

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.

Let's put the green into the green belt - now there's an idea

Paul de Zylva08 Oct 2019

Instead of building on the green belt, let’s make it green by name and green by nature. 

Government spending needed on climate and nature emergency

02 Sep 20193.2 MB PDF file

Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and others have identified that the government needs to spend £42 billion a year on climate change and nature.