The future of heating
Mike Childs21 Feb 2022
Meeting climate targets through electric heating backed by renewably-produced hydrogen.
The future of Drax: old, inefficient, damaging and expensive
09 Dec 2021
Drax power station in Selby, Yorkshire is old, inefficient, environmentally damaging and will need £billions of subsidies to survive. We argue it should start preparing for closure and its workers retrained for decent jobs elsewhere.
Failing to insulate – a double threat of fuel poverty and climate harm
Mike Childs22 Nov 2021
There’s a price to pay for decades of underfunding energy efficiency improvements to the UK’s older and badly insulated houses. And the price is causing harm to the poorest in society, pensioners, people of colour, young people and people with health and disability challenges. These communities suffer disproportionately from fuel poverty and the impact of climate breakdown, which is exacerbated by inefficient, energy-hungry homes.
Rank of fuel poverty neighbourhoods by LA
17 Nov 202137 kB XLSX file
Data on levels of fuel poverty in neighbourhoods by local authority area.
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.
Reducing greenhouse gases: our position
Mike Childs14 Jul 2021
Why we need to reduce global warming greenhouse gases rapidly: Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland's position.
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.
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.
Why council action on climate is vital
Sandra Bell08 Dec 2020
Sandra Bell explains why local council action is vital to achieving a green recovery and net zero, and why the government must give them greater support as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.
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 .
Budget exacerbates climate breakdown
Mike Childs06 Mar 2020
We set ten tests for the Budget - just how well did the new Chancellor do?
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.
Court order quashes fracking policy
03 Jun 2019
A recent ruling by a High Court judge has huge significance both for those fighting fracking applications and for planning authorities and communities looking to prepare climate-friendly, resilient plans and policies.
Onshore wind: is its delivery being hampered by a lack of identified areas in Local Plans?
21 May 2019
New onshore wind turbines cannot receive planning permission unless an area is identified as suitable for wind energy in a local or neighbourhood plan.