Friends of the Earth urges the Government to deliver an ambitious new climate plan that aligns with the country’s legal commitments, ensures a just transition to a green economy and meets crucial 2030 targets to avert climate and ecological collapse.
Jamie Peters
Interim Chief Executive, Friends of the EarthIt’s been over 15 years since the Climate Change Act (CCA) came into being – a historic piece of legislation that Friends of the Earth played an instrumental role in bringing to fruition through our Big Ask campaign. It was a seismic and hard-fought effort that many rallied around, from MPs across the political spectrum to energy companies, from hundreds of thousands of supporters to celebrities – with household names like Stephen Fry, Gillian Anderson, and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke throwing their weight behind our cause.
The CCA saw the UK become the first country to set legally binding climate targets – a feat we should feel immensely proud of. This pivotal piece of legislation had major repercussions globally as countries around the world followed suit.
Last year, Friends of the Earth brought its second successful legal challenge against the previous Government’s climate plans, which were found to be in breach of the CCA and inadequate for not setting out how our vital climate targets will be met. Given the rapid acceleration of the climate and nature crises, it’s imperative the UK and countries all over the world make deep emissions cuts delivered at pace. That’s why it remains Friends of the Earth’s mission to push for a national climate plan that is robust, comprehensive, and fair.
In recent years, the scale of the challenge has not just been met with painfully slow progress. The last Government set the UK back further still by rowing back on crucial green policies and disregarding the expertise of the world’s scientists by ploughing ahead with yet more fossil fuel developments.
Analysis by Friends of the Earth in the run-up to last year’s UN climate talks found that this has left the UK veering dangerously off-track for meeting its climate targets. This is a view that has since been echoed by the Government’s climate advisory body, the Climate Change Committee.
As part of the UK’s commitment to the Paris Agreement – the international treaty to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius – Boris Johnson’s Government promised to meet an interim commitment to slash emissions by over two thirds by 2030 (compared with 1990 levels) – something the new Labour Government has reaffirmed. Just six years remain to reach the goal, with the window of opportunity rapidly deteriorating.
Every five years, the UK Government must set a new interim target – called a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) – and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is due to submit the next NDC for 2035 imminently. But it’s essential the Government doesn’t use this to kick the can down the road and lose sight of the fast-approaching 2030 goal. Because the sooner we act, the lesser the consequences we will face.
Following our successful legal challenge, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has been instructed by the High Court to produce a new climate plan by May 2025. Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to come up with a new strategy that is bold, ambitious, and ensures no one gets left behind in the transition to a greener economy.
Crucially, it must deliver on the UK’s climate goals, including the 2030 target, and get us back on track for curbing the worst of climate and nature breakdown. And it must create the pathway to a future where everyone can live in a warm home powered by cheap, clean energy, travel on affordable and reliable public transport, breathe clean air and access secure, long-term jobs in clean and sustainable industries.
It’s 2024 and we’re no longer making the Big Ask for a new climate law, because our legal wins show the Climate Change Act has the teeth to hold the Government of the day to account. This time, we’re pushing for a Big Climate Plan that delivers a fair transition and puts the UK ahead in the global race to a fossil-free economy. We want you to join us in making it happen.
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