Legal and planning

In 2008 our campaign for the creation of the UK's Climate Change Act succeeded. Over a decade on, we explore how this Act has enabled us to carry out ground-breaking legal work that’s shaping the future of our planet.

As a result of our legal challenge, the UK government has admitted to acting unlawfully in its Heat and Building Strategy. Find out why its actions were unlawful, who it impacts and what happens next.

Despite strong opposition from across civil society, and weeks of back-and-forth in parliament, most of the government’s anti-protest measures have made it into the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. Find out what this means for the future of protest.

Find out more about our legal challenge against the UK government, what’s happening in Mozambique and why it’s so important the UK government withdraws its funding from this mega gas project.

The government was planning to make changes to the system that shapes how our towns and communities develop. But backlash from our supporters and other organisations has provoked a re-think. Find out about the campaign against proposals to the planning system and why it's important.

The Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill has profound implications for environmental protest, but it also directly targets one of Britain’s most marginalised ethnic groups. Romany journalist Jake Bowers looks at the impact the bill will have on Britain’s nomadic people.

A legal challenge to Surrey County Council’s decision to allow 20 years of oil drilling and production to take place near Gatwick airport begins in the High Court today (17.11.20)

Learn about the legal and planning system and find out how you can have your say on decisions about your local area.

What are civil liberties and how are they affected by the coronavirus pandemic?

The legal team at Friends of the Earth has been instrumental in major wins like the fight against fracking and holding the government to account for not delivering a meaningful climate plan. Support their work.