Legal and planning

A clampdown on protest rights has led to some chilling effects on democracy in the UK. Friends of the Earth has submitted a case to the European Court of Human Rights in the hopes of forcing the UK government to act. Read about the case.

For a second time we've defeated the UK government in court over its main climate strategy to reduce carbon emissions and help reach net zero. What's the government's climate plan and why do we need a better one?

For the second time in less than 2 years, the High Court has found the UK government’s inadequate climate strategy to be unlawful.

The Climate Budget Delivery Plan was the government’s latest attempt at a climate plan. Senior Lawyer Niall Toru explains why it wasn’t up to scratch and why it’s making headlines...

In May 2024, Friends of the Earth won a landmark case in the High Court against the government over its inadequate climate plan. Read the legal briefing prepared by Friends of the Earth's lawyers Katie de Kauwe and Niall Toru.

From sewage to diesel fumes, different types of pollution are destroying our lands and seas. Campaigner Rachel O'Connell explains why a new environmental law could help us stop big polluters from harming people and planet.

People power played a vital role in securing climate change legislation for Northern Ireland. Watch our film about the race to get a Climate Act.

In February 2024, Friends of the Earth took government to court a second time over its decarbonisation plan. Read the witness statements and internal government documents related to the court case.

Lawyer Acland Bryant explains our legal intervention against mineral prospecting on the grounds of environmental damage and transparency.

As an environmental justice organisation, Friends of the Earth is fighting to protect our right to protest, along with all human rights. Find out how the UK government is threatening our rights and freedoms.