Climate crisis needs more than words & half-hearted pledges

Commenting ahead of this week’s climate summit, Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth – who will be attending the climate talks – said:

“We won’t solve the climate emergency with warm words, delays and half-hearted pledges – we need urgent transformative action.

“The climate crisis is already devastating lives in the UK and overseas. Storms, floods, heatwaves and droughts are becoming increasingly severe and hitting the most marginalised communities – those least responsible – hardest. Without decisive action rooted in science and justice, things will only get worse.

“The international community must accelerate the shift to a low-carbon future that improves the lives of ordinary people, with wealthy nations – who have profited most from burning fossil fuels – moving fastest and going furthest.

“Time is running out. We need bold leadership, and we need it now.”

Friends of the Earth is calling on the UK government to play an important role in guiding this year’s talks to success, by:

• Honouring the UK’s climate targets and delivering a fair and just transition
• Ensuring justice for communities on the front lines of climate breakdown in the UK and overseas
• Showing maximum ambition and drive for ending global deforestation
• Making polluters pay

ENDS

Friends of the Earth has written a media briefing ahead of the UN climate talks.

Notes to editors:

Friends of the Earth’ new chief executive Asad Rehman, will attend the UN climate talks from Sat 14th – Sat 22nd November. Asad has decades of experience as a policy expert at the UN climate negotiations and has been a key player in the global climate justice movement.

About Friends of the Earth: Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK's largest grassroots network. We're part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact. For more information visit: friendsoftheearth.uk and follow us on X or Instagram at @friends_earth, or find us on LinkedIn