What are local action groups?

Crowd of people outside raise their hands

About Friends of the Earth local action groups

Our network of local action groups is made up of people in communities who are passionate about tackling the climate and ecological crises and fighting for a fairer, greener world for everyone.

As part of the local action group network, groups campaign on issues locally as well as come together for national fights such as United for Warm Homes. Local action groups are supported by Friends of the Earth, with a suite of resources, training and staff guidance.

Our network leverages the power of Friends of the Earth as a national organisation, with its large supporter base and the expertise of its policy, research, campaigning, media and communication teams.

We know this approach works: together with our groups we’ve secured some big wins, like 75% of newly elected metro mayors taking a pledge to adopt Climate Action Plans and create green jobs.

Local action groups always welcome new people with a desire to do something for the climate and a bit of spare time. You can do as much or as little as you want, and you’ll be offered lots of support and training opportunities to be able to make a difference.

Join a local action group

Members of a local action group sit at a table with laptops talking

How do I find a group in my area?

We have hundreds of local action groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Joining a local action group is easy. Just type in your postcode on our interactive map, click on the group nearest you and follow the instructions.

And if you live in Scotland, you have your very own Friends of the Earth network. Head over and see what they’re up to.

Join a local action group

What do groups do?

To deliver meaningful change, we need people of all backgrounds and ages to come together to take action in their communities.

And there are so many ways you can make a difference. In Newcastle, they've petitioned the government for safe cycling. In Nottingham they're working on plans to plant an orchard at Nottingham College. And in Darlington the group are campaigning to save a woodland from developers.

Find out how your area can become more climate-friendly with our data tool, Near Me. After all, big change starts small.

Three demonstrators protesting gas funding in Mozambique with a pipe and placards

Why do we need community groups?

We can only achieve long-term, systemic change if we use the power of our own communities to put pressure on the UK government.

Local action groups run their own local campaigns to convince decision makers to turn political promises into concrete action.

And, as more and more communities and councils take climate and ecological action across the UK, pressure will mount on the national government to do the same.

News from the network

Latest stories

Roe buck, facing the camera, captured in Skerningham Woodland

The art of campaigning

Published: 27 Jul 2021 | 2 minute read

How do you capture the heart of an issue and inspire people to get involved? Fusing photography, poetry and shots of gorgeous landscape, local group Darlington Friends of the Earth show us how to marry campaigning with art.

Nature

England

Local groups

People stand socially distanced holding signs demanding climate action

What's a Climate Action Plan and can it help your area?

Published: 22 Jun 2021 | 3 minute read

In the last few years, the climate crisis has shot up the agenda in local and national elections. Leaders and decision-makers have been keen to show they take climate seriously. But how can we turn election promises into action?

Climate

CAGs

Are incinerators good for the environment?

Published: 30 Mar 2021 | 3 minute read

Across the UK, incinerators are being given the green light by councils. With low-income and minority communities disproportionately bearing the brunt of the pollution coming from these wood and waste-burning plants, Shaista Hussain looks at one city’s battle to protect local people from a new incinerator.