In 2008, parliament passed the Climate Change Act, the world’s first law to set legally binding targets for cutting climate emissions. This win followed years of pioneering campaigning led by Friends of the Earth.
Subsequently, we made 2 successful legal challenges, which found that the last government’s plans to meet these targets were unlawful, because it failed to implement the act. The most recent court victory, in May 2024, means the government is legally obliged to write a new climate plan by May 2025.
But there’s a real risk this plan will fail to deliver the bold action urgently needed to protect people and planet. We have a crucial window of opportunity to influence the government, which is why we’re taking action with our Big Climate Plan campaign.
Why do we need a Big Climate Plan?
The Big Climate Plan offers a future that benefits everyone through a package of policies designed to improve all of our lives by cutting emissions and transforming society. Supporting it isn’t just about saving the planet, it’s about creating a better future for all.
Recently, skyrocketing energy prices have increased fuel poverty, while oil and gas companies, posting record profits, have worsened emissions and deepened inequality.
The Big Climate Plan is our chance to change this. By meeting climate targets, we can create a fairer future, but we must act quickly.
The clock is ticking on Keir Starmer to replace the weak climate plans of the past. Demand a bold and fair climate plan.
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How will the Big Climate Plan work?
The Big Climate Plan is built on delivering 5 key policy demands that focus on:
- cutting emissions
- investing in green solutions
- ensuring warm homes
- delivering clean transport
- creating green jobs
These are achievable steps that we want to be developed with experts and people like you. Using tactics like leveraging legal wins and mobilising our local action groups, we’ll push for a government climate plan that meets targets and ensures fairness.
With a proven track record and your support, we can make the new climate plan as strong as possible.
Why fairness matters
Climate change is devastating people's lives all over the world. And its disabled people, people of colour, women and low-income households who are hardest hit.
For example, here in the UK, older people, young children and those with health conditions may struggle more with extreme temperatures. Similarly, poorer communities, such as UK coastal areas experiencing economic decline or poorer islands in the Global South like the Solomon Islands, have fewer financial resources to recover from flooding.
This is why we’re advocating for fairness in the government’s new climate plan.
Further reading
