UK Overseas Fossil Fuel Campaign wins SMK National Campaigner Award

The campaign that repeatedly embarrassed the UK Government and brought the end of the fossil fuel era a step nearer, has been awarded a prestigious title by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation.

The UK Overseas Fossil Fuel Campaign, led by a small number of campaigners from a diverse range of organisations, has won the David vs. Goliath Award.

Tony Bosworth, campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“Friends of the Earth is delighted to win this award working with many inspiring organisations. A coalition of several national NGOs may seem a large ‘David’ but in comparison the government and fossil fuel industry are true Goliaths, causing climate breakdown which is destroying communities around the world.

“The UK government’s decision to stop funding fossil fuels was hugely significant, but we need to close the loophole that still allows aid funding to go overseas fossil fuel projects. And let’s not forget that the UK is still using taxpayer’s money to fund a huge gas project in Mozambique. A true commitment to stopping overseas fossil fuel funding would see the government pulling out of this climate-wrecking scheme.”

Adam McGibbon, Campaign Coordinator for The UK Overseas Fossil Fuel Campaign, said:

"In just three years, stopping the UK Government’s multi-billion taxpayer finance for fossil fuels overseas moved from being an ‘impossible’ idea to a reality. This was a campaign run on a shoestring budget, with a massive global impact. It's been really encouraging to hear about other governments who are set to follow the UK's lead.

"The fossil fuel era is ending – this campaign hopefully will help bring that end date a little closer."

For more information, head to the Sheila McKechnie Foundation website.

Organisations involved in the campaign are Global Witness, E3G, Tearfund, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth (EWNI), Greenpeace, Bretton Woods Project, Oil Change International and Global Justice Now.