Coal

Quit dirty coal

TomAllen — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:43:43 +0100

It’s time to end our reliance on dirty coal power, and instead boost the UK’s renewable energy supply to help build a green economy and create new jobs.

Burning coal has contributed 50 per cent of the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today*. We must stop emissions from coal urgently if we are to keep global warming below 2 degrees C.

'No New Coal without CCS' Says Ed Miliband

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:31:33 +0000

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has announced the Government’s long-awaited response to its ‘clean coal’ consultation. In it he announced that ‘no new coal-fired power stations would be built without carbon capture and storage (CCS)’, and that all such stations should have full CCS by 2025.

Ed Miliband's energy policy leaves UK's credibility at Copenhagen in tatters

AndyBrace — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:03:04 +0000

In response to Ed Miliband's energy statement to parliament today, the World Development Movement reacted with disappointment and argued that the UK's credibility at Copenhagen has been 'shattered'.

It’s coal, not nuclear, that is the important issue today

AndyBrace — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:11:34 +0000

With Kingsnorth on hold, what future for coal in the UK?

National policy statements sound cool. They sound like they might actually sort stuff out. Instead of scrabbling around doing little bits of policy here and there, like some sort of policy tapas, a NPS means you're going for the policy hog roast - go on, have a big national slab of policy sir, there you go.

Dump dirty coal and generate clean energy vision

AndyBrace — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:33:00 +0000

In its National Policy Statements on energy - published today - the Government fails to make it clear how we could rule out dirty coal for good.

Bad week for coal topped off by new low-carbon Britain plan

AndyBrace — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:40:45 +0100

Ed Miliband receives some light reading material

As if using a large fluorescent pen to
highlight the reason why our volunteers were sitting up on top of the Palace of Westminster,
on Monday the Climate Change Committee (CCC) released its first annual report on
the government's progress in meeting its own emissions targets.

St Andrews students protest careers talk

AndyBrace — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:13:22 +0100

St Andrews P&Pers have protested at an RBS careers talk, highlighting the link between RBS and fossil fuels. The protest comes on the back of demonsrations across the country.

DONG-gone! - good news for the environment

AndyBrace — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:14:00 +0100

Danish firm confirms withdrawal from controversial coal scheme

E.ON have shelved Kingsnorth plans

TomAllen — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:32:33 +0100

E.ON has shelved its plans for a new dirty coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth! Marking a huge campaign victory for all of us in the coalition, and beyond, news came through last night that the energy company is delaying a decision on Kingsnorth for three years!

Your sustained campaigning has undoubtedly had a big impact on this decision. It just goes to show that campaigning works.

The Anti-Coal Vigil*

TomAllen — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:45:44 +0100

The public consultation on Kingsnorth closes on Wednesday the 9th of September. Ed Miliband will be making a final decision on the future of coal power in the UK.

To remind Ed how we all feel about unabated coal power we are planning an evening vigil outside Ed's Department of Energy and Climate Change.

At 4.30pm on Monday 14th September, we'll be gathering outside the DECC building in London. The demonstration will feature supporters from across the coalition, representing the wide range of public opposition to climate-wrecking dirty coal power.

First Mili-band of the summer - Saturday 4th July

TomAllen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:37:29 +0100

Stop Climate Chaos members Oxfam, WDM, RSPB, People & Planet, NUS, Christian Aid & the WI got together on 4 July to put on the first Mili-band of the summer, at the Kingsnorth summer fête.

Approx 1,000 people gathered in Kent to send a dramatic message to Ed Miliband.

Gordon Brown's climate manifesto for Copenhagen

TomAllen — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:34:51 +0100

In a manifesto launched today, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged UK leadership in tackling climate change during the run-up to the UN climate summit in Copenhagen this December. Alongside the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband, he has outlined his vision for a new deal where the emissions of developed nations will peak by 2020 (we believe the deal should be no later than 2015) and decline thereafter.

Swimming towards a coal ship - Greenpeace campaigners block coal delivery to Kingsnorth

AndyBrace — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:30:59 +0100

Around midnight three of my colleagues eased themselves off one of the Greenpeace inflatable speedboats and into the cold water of the river Medway in Kent.

It's difficult to imagine what must be going through your mind in that

Campaigners swim in front of 20,000 tonne coal freighter to block Kingsnorth shipment

AndyBrace — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:12:34 +0100

12.30am - A dramatic stand-off is unfolding at Kingsnorth power station in Kent where climate change campaigners have boarded a moving bulk freighter carrying coal to Britain's most controversial power plant. Three women are swimming in the river Medway in front of the massive freighter and are stopping it loading while climbers are hanging off the side of the ship. Dozens of police officers and a helicopter are on the scene.

Will Ed make Britain a global leader on climate change?

AndyBrace — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:44:23 +0100

ED Miliband today announced the details of his new coal consultation. While recognising the need to reduce emissions from coal-fired power stations, as promised, it places equal emphasis on maintaining a "diverse, secure energy mix".

In April the Energy and Climate Change Secretary initiated a significant U-turn in government policy when he told Parliament that "the era of new unabated coal is over." Compared with the "business as usual" approach of predecessors like John Hutton, this is a big step forward.

Miliband must end coal emissions

Timystic — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:50:54 +0100

A call for an end to dirty coal emissions by Stop Climate Chaos Coalition members, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Oxfam, RSPB, WDM and WWF UK, has been published in the Guardian.

Miliband coal consultation - Greenpeace response

AndyBrace — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:34:27 +0100

Commenting on the launch today of a new government consultation on the future of coal in Britain, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:

Come to the fête that could save the climate

AndyBrace — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:27:14 +0100

We've made some progress on the coal campaign lately, with Climate and Energy Minister Ed Miliband finally ruling out any new coal-fired power stations that don't capture a proportion of the carbon they emit. But that's not nearly enough to save the climate.

The next few months will be crucial in persuading Ed to go all the way before the government announces a decision on new coal fired power plants. We need your help to show Ed and the government that opposition to new dirty coal is growing across the country.

A trillion tonnes of carbon

AndyBrace — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:56:02 +0100

We're already burnt half of our 1 trillion tonnes of carbon...

One day, if we get it right, and we're lucky, humans will be able to look back and talk about 'the carbon age'. Starting with the industrial revolution, and ending at the end of this century, well be able to count the total amount of carbon we released during the carbon age.

Must-watch video: Joss analyses government carbon capture and storage plans

AndyBrace — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:25:09 +0100

Ed Miliband's announcement that no new coal-fired power stations will be built in the UK without carbon capture and storage technology included changed the coal playing field. Does this mean the campaign against new coal is over? Or is the devil in the detail?

Reaction to DECC coal announcement

TomAllen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:31:28 +0100

In reaction to the Government’s announcement regarding fitting Carbon Capture technology to coal-fired power stations, Ashok Sinha, Director of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said:

WDM welcomes end of unabated coal but fears CCS technology is "a giant gamble with the climate"

AndyBrace — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:40:45 +0100

The World Development Movement welcomed Ed Miliband’s announcement that there is no place for unabated coal in our energy future at a time of climate crisis. However, the campaign group warned that the proposal leaves a giant loop hole that could still lead to disastrous levels of emissions before 2025. The proposed new plant at Kingsnorth in Kent could alone emit as much as the whole of Ghana each year.

“I’m delighted that the Minister has finally recognised there is no place for unabated coal at this time of climate crisis.” said Benedict Southworth, WDM’s Director.

At last a glimmer of leadership on climate

AndyBrace — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:55:53 +0100

It's certainly far from everything we've been asking for, but when Ed Miliband announced his new consultation on coal policy in the House of Commons this lunchtime it was clear that something had changed. For starters, E.ON isn’t to get their way over Kingsnorth, at least not with their current plan.

Showing admirable signs of climate leadership in the face of resistance from Whitehall officials and his cabinet colleagues, the Energy and Climate Change secretary told MPs that no new coal-fired power stations would be built in Britain unless equipped with at least some carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

Greenpeace hails 'signs of climate leadership' at last

AndyBrace — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:31:00 +0100

Following today's announcement by Ed Miliband of new regulations for coal plants and the launch of a consultation on coal policy, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:

"At last Ed Miliband is demonstrating welcome signs of climate leadership in the face of resistance from Whitehall officials and cabinet colleagues. He is the first minister in twelve years to throw down the gauntlet to the energy companies and demand they start taking climate change seriously."

Coal and Kingsnorth: the story so far

AndyBrace — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:19:01 +0100

A timeline detailing the sequence of events following E.ON's proposals for a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Miliband signals end of unabated coal

AndyBrace — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:01:01 +0100

Miliband announces proposals for carbon capture and storage but Friends of the Earth say an emissions standard is needed to ensure fossil fuelled power stations capture all their emissions.

UK'S largest climate change coalition piles pressure on Miliband

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:22:00 +0100

Representatives of the UK's largest coalition dedicated to stopping climate change visited the Department of Energy and Climate Change to demand the UK Government say no to new dirty coal plants and instead deliver renewable energy on a mass scale.

85,480 signatures delivered to Ed Miliband

TomAllen — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:46:15 +0100

On Monday 20 April Stop Climate Chaos coalition members delivered more than 85,000 of your messages to Ed Miliband's office at the (DECC).

(More pictures on Flickr.)

Greenpeace briefing: government coal scenarios

AndyBrace — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:02:08 +0100

In this Greenpeace briefing we set out the possible scenarios on coal policy, and evaluate whether they amount to an ambiguous fudge, or whether they could still allow Britain to get itself on to a low-carbon pathway.

Quit dirty coal (our policy)

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:53:56 +0000

Industrialised countries like the UK, which are most responsible for climate change and most able to help avert it, must lead the effort to reduce global emissions; they must cut their emissions first, fastest and most.

The most important cause of climate change globally is the burning of coal, yet the Government is planning a new generation of coal-fired power stations.

US climate campaigners turn up the heat on Congress

AndyBrace — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:45:38 +0000

UK's 'green' aid to be spent on building new coal power stations in developing world

AndyBrace — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:10:30 +0000

The World Development Movement slammed a UK government plan to put almost £400 million of 'green' aid designed to assist developing countries low carbon development into a World Bank fund that will subsidise new dirty coal power plants.

The £400 million represents almost half of the UK’s Environmental Transformation Fund – Gordon Brown’s flagship £800 million fund to assist developing countries to deal with the impacts of climate change and develop low carbon economies.

Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement said:

Clean coal (by the Coen brothers)

AndyBrace — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:39:37 +0000

While EON and the UK government wax lyrical about 'clean coal' and Kingsnorth 'cleaner coal plant' the reality is that there is no such thing as clean coal.

Over in the US where activists have also been campaigning against the coal lobby, Joel and Ethan Coen (The Big Lebowski*, Raising Arizona, No Country for Old Men, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?) have produced an ad for the ThisIsReality.org website.

Enjoy! (*now I fancy a white russian)

Yorkshire says no to new coal

AndyBrace — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:16:08 +0000

The cooling towers of Ferrybridge power station

Why we campaign on coal and aviation

AndyBrace — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:57:33 +0000

We need to cut emissions from coal power plants and from aviation

Take People & Planet's RBS fossil fuels action

TomAllen — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:14:39 +0000

The Royal Bank of Scotland (which owns NatWest) has pumped more money than any other UK high street bank into the fossil fuel industry - $16 billion into companies engaged in coal projects in the past 2 years.

To take action on this, you can email RBS chief executive Stephen Hester and the UK government from the People & Planet's website. Tell them to stop financing climate chaos.

Clean coal - the reality

AndyBrace — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:34:11 +0000

Clean coal technology like this is at work right now in a coal-fired power station near you

Turner report advises against new coal plants

AndyBrace — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:15:22 +0000

Turner advice would kill coal plans, says Greenpeace

AndyBrace — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:22:02 +0000

Lord Turner's Committee on Climate Change today recommended that new coal plants are not built in the UK unless they can capture all of their emissions by the early 2020s. If accepted by the Government, the proposal would kill controversial plans by German energy giant Eon to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent.

John Sauven, the executive director of Greenpeace - which has led the campaign against Kingsnorth - said today:

Keeping track of new coal - interactively

AndyBrace — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:31:48 +0000

Sailing away against new coal

AndyBrace — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:15:30 +0000

Earlier this week, Oxfam's Martin Kirk joined other representatives from the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition - including Greenpeace, Christian Aid, Tearfund and even the Women's Institute - aboard Greenpeace's iconic Rainbow Warrior.

The making of a supervillain - Coalfinger

AndyBrace — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:35:47 +0000

Why we have to stop E.on building a new coal plant

AndyBrace — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:26:45 +0000

Is there anybody left who wants new coal for the UK?

AndyBrace — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:01:46 +0000

See all Rainbow Warrior tour updates or get them by email.

Leave it in the ground! Manchester students take action on RBS's and E.On's climate crimes

AndyBrace — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:09:02 +0000

Over 50 Manchester students staged a flash mob demonstration at the RBS and E.On recruitments stalls on Thursday 23 October 2008. The group were protesting against RBS's funding of climate chaos and against E.On's plans to build a new coal power station at Kingsnorth.

Warriors take action to the coal face

AndyBrace — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:03:00 +0000

Energy company E.On has today been warned of mass opposition to new coal-fired power stations unless their emissions can be stored safely.

Rainbow Warrior delivers Coalition's Board and declaration to E.ON

TomAllen — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:41:36 +0000

Our coalition board met on the Rainbow Warrior to sign this declaration,

4 million strong, we say no to dirty coal power stations, and yes to a clean green renewable energy future.

The declaration was signed on board ship by representatives from Greenpeace, Oxfam, the Women's Institute, Tearfund, RSPB, Friends of the Earth, WWF and Christian Aid. It was then delivered to E.ON at the site of their new coal power station in Kingsnorth.

Message from the Rainbow Warrior: stop coal and kick start clean energy

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:06:08 +0100

"Kick start clean energy" written on the side of the Rainbow Warrior in LEDs, with London buildings behind. © Will Rose / Greenpeace

Follow the Give Coal the Boot Tour on the web

AndyBrace — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:47:50 +0100

As well as the blog and email updates, you can catch videos, photos and text updates from the ship tour on your favourite social networking sites:

Greenpeace's call for green energy action

TomAllen — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:26:29 +0100

Greenpeace have created an action where you can send Ed Miliband a message calling for development of the new Kingsnorth power station to end, and for a boost to renewable energy and action on energy efficiency.

Activists urge Italy to quit coal

AndyBrace — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:21:03 +0100

A year in the life of the Rainbow Warrior - on a mission to stop coal

AndyBrace — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:32:34 +0100

See all Rainbow Warrior tour updates or sign up to get them by email.

Our big "Yes!" to clean green renewable energy

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:31:45 +0100

We have just unveiled our brand new campaign focusing on the critical issue of renewable energy in the UK.

Our director, Ashok Sinha, said "The Government must make clean green renewables the number 1 energy choice for the UK".

Switching to renewable energy instead of using coal for electricity is one of the most important ways to prevent global warming spiralling above the 2°C danger threshold, protecting the world’s most vulnerable people from climate change.

Oxfam's 'No to new coal' action

TomAllen — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:25:22 +0100

E.ON are the company poised waiting for the Government decision, ready to start building a new coal power station at Kingsnorth. If you'd like to email Paul Golby (CEO of E.ON) about Kingsnorth, Oxfam have an action on their website where you can do just that.

From Credit Crunch to Climate Crunch

AndyBrace — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:58:13 +0100

London People & Planet and Platform activists paid a visit to one of RBS's recruitment fairs today, with jobless bankers and homeless polar bears highlighting the risks of a future climate crunch if RBS continues irresponsible lending to fossil fuels.

Final nail in the coffin for Heathrow expansion and Kingsnorth

AndyBrace — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:06:48 +0100

Today’s, report from the influential committee on climate change has recommended that the UK cuts greenhouse gases emissions by at least 80 percent and that this target should include emissions from aviation and shipping. The World Development Movement welcomes this news as a potential ‘reprieve’ for the poorest people in the world.

Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement said:
“These recommendations will potentially be a reprieve for the world’s poorest people, whose lives and livelihoods are threatened the most by dangerous climate change.