Policy

Stop Climate Chaos believes

TomAllen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:37:56 +0000

Climate change is the greatest threat to humanity and the world’s ecosystems. We have fewer than 100 months to reverse the growth in global carbon emissions, otherwise global warming will almost certainly exceed the danger threshold of 2 degrees C.

Parliament 'no' to emissions targets must not delay climate change action

Gail — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:19:25 +0100

Thursday 27th May 2010

The Scottish Parliament have rejected proposed targets for emissions reductions. You can find out more about this here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/10176737.stm

Commenting on the Scottish Parliament's vote today on emissions reductions, Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said:

"Today's vote by the Scottish Parliament to reject the proposed annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions must not delay the urgent action we need if Scotland is to play its part in preventing dangerous climate change.

Scottish government's failure on climate targets and aviation

Gail — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:45:55 +0100

21st April 2010

Key measures published by the Scottish Government confirm Scotland’s 2020 climate target to cut emissions by 42% but a commitment on early action is disappointing and the full impact of aviation is being ignored.

Four Statutory Instruments laid before parliament today cover annual targets for emissions until 2022, accounting for emissions from aviation and shipping, the buying of carbon credits, and its rules on carbon accounting.

Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:

Ask the Climate Question

FionaD — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:02:21 +0100

Thank you for Asking the Climate Question!

Thank you to everyone that helped Ask the Climate Question in the run up to the election! Here’s just a snippet of what you, and the dedicated organisers of the Ask the Climate Question Campaign achieved:

• More than 13,000 e-mails were sent to candidates, Asking the Climate Question;

Business leaders, scientists & civil society back climate change targets

TomAllen — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:27:27 +0000

Thursday 25th February 2010

Scottish business leaders, environmental scientists and NGOs have commended the Scottish Government for reaffirming its commitment to meet its world-leading target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020.

50,000 of you joined The Wave and Gordon heard us

TomAllen — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:44:04 +0000

More than 50,000 people came together to demand action on climate change on Saturday 5th Dec at The Wave, the biggest climate change march in the world ever! We called for the Government to take much more urgent and effective action on climate change.

Image © Jess Hurd 2009/reportdigital.co.uk

Tories back fossil fuel funding campaign.

AndyBrace — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:37:59 +0000

The Conservatives have backed the campaign to end UK government funding for fossil fuel projects.

'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.

More than 100 MPs sign climate change EDM

TomAllen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:47:04 +0000

More than 100 MPs have so far signed an early day motion calling on the UK government to urge the EU to take a stronger stand in tackling climate change.

With less than a month to go to the crucial UN climate change summit in Copenhagen, the motion says industrialised countries bear the greatest responsibility for global warming.

It calls on EU governments to commit to 40 per cent cuts in carbon emissions by 2020. The present target is 20 per cent, rising to 30 per cent if a global deal is reached at Copenhagen.

Tell the Government to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% next year

AndyBrace — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:40:25 +0100

Parliament are deciding whether they should join the 10:10 campaign which would commit them to reducing their emissions by 10% by the end of 2010. Tell your MP to vote to join the campaign.

Bangkok UN climate meeting ends

AndyBrace — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:01:01 +0100

Rich countries are holding our world's future to ransom by failing to acknowledge they need to cut their own emissions first and fastest, Friends of the Earth said today.

Coalition welcome Miliband renewable announcement

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:47:47 +0100

The Government today launched its Low Carbon Transition Plan - a route map towards achieving a 34% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. In response, Ashok Sinha, Director of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said

Members of our coalition will welcome this announcement. Ed Miliband must be congratulated for at last offering a step-wise plan to tackling the UK’s carbon emissions.

Why the Scottish Climate Change Act is leading the way

TomAllen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:56:21 +0100

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has put together a simple briefing which explains the areas where the Scottish Climate Change Act goes further than any other climate change laws in the world.

Download the Act briefing pdf.

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.

Climate Change - failure is not an option

AndyBrace — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:34:00 +0100

RSPB Cymru welcomes the Welsh Assembly Government's Climate Change Programme of Action, launched today by Jane Davidson, Minster for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing.

International scientists, campaigners and celebrities call for tougher targets for Scottish Climate Bill

TomAllen — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:23:48 +0100

From Sunday Herald, 21 June 2009

International scientists, campaigners and celebrities are piling pressure on the Scottish government to toughen its plans to tackle climate change.

First minister Alex Salmond, and other political leaders are being told by 13 top climate experts that the current aim to reduce emissions 34% by 2020 is "wholly inadequate". The target must be raised to at least 42% to help save the planet, they say.

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.

SCCS welcomes ground-breaking amendments

TomAllen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:10:22 +0100

The Scottish Parliament Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee resumed today (Tuesday) to continue its discussions on Stage 2 of the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Reacting to the Committee's decision to approve Labour MSP Cathy Peattie's amendment on climate change duty for public bodies:
Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said:

Disappointment as SNP and Labour frustrate bill progress

TomAllen — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:10:11 +0100

Hopes that Scotland's Climate Change Bill would lead the world were put at risk during the Stage 2 discussions of the Climate Change Bill by the Scottish Parliament Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee (on 26th May).

The TICC Committee failed to support an amendment to increase the target for cutting greenhouse gases by 42 per cent by 2020. This target would have brought the Bill in line with the scientific consensus of what action needs to be taken and set a strong example for other world governments.

Coalition urges MSPs to strengthen bill

TomAllen — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:45:09 +0100

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is today [Wednesday 6 May] calling on MSPs from all parties to show their support for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill, as the Stage 1 Debate gets underway in the Scottish Parliament.

The SCCS coalition is looking for MSPs to deliver a strong Bill by addressing loopholes identified in the Scottish Parliament’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (TICC) Committee Stage 1 Report, published on Friday 24 April.

MSPs put pressure on for strong Climate Bill

TomAllen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:58:23 +0100

On 24 April Stop Climate Chaos Scotland welcomed the strong report from the Scottish Parliament’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee on the Scottish Climate Change Bill. The report recommends that the Bill needs tougher targets and broader scope. The Government will now have to respond to the Committee’s report in a debate expected next week.

Hundreds gather to lobby MSPs on Scottish Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:03:39 +0100

Over 500 people gathered on Wednesday 22 April outside the Scottish Parliament to demand that MSPs deliver a strong Climate Change Bill.

The rally was organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland to show the strength and breadth of public support for these three key asks for the Bill:

Statutory annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 3% year on year starting now
The inclusion of emissions from international aviation and shipping from the beginning

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."

Darling's green measures fail to convince

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:00:00 +0100

Measures to tackle climate change announced in today's Budget fall far short of the radical action required.

Trying to solve the climate crisis with a fistful of pennies?

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:20:03 +0100

A green budget at last? Sadly no...

Darling blows historic opportunity to build low-carbon future

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:01:01 +0100

Alistair Darling has squandered a huge opportunity to create a low-carbon economy and create thousands of green jobs by investing in renewable energy and cutting energy waste on the scale required, Friends of the Earth said today.

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.)

Tearfund pre-Budget climate call

AndyBrace — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:04:00 +0100

21 April 2009
Tearfund is calling on the government to announce greenhouse gas emission cuts in tomorrow’s Budget that will kick-start the economy, save the planet and protect poor communities.
In practice this means a science-based target of 42 per cent cuts by 2020 based on 1990 levels, with the vast majority of cuts being made within the UK and not offset in developing countries.
This target would incentivise early climate action in the UK and put the country at the forefront of new green industries.

More big meetings, more disappointing climate mumblings

AndyBrace — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:31:12 +0100

Whoever it was that said '24 hours is a long time in politics' certainly wasn't kidding. While I'm still feeling worn out by the political frenzy that surrounded last week's G20 summit, even by Saturday the world had moved on.

The $1.1 trillion verdict's out. But what does it mean for poor countries?

AndyBrace — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:17:22 +0100

So the G20 verdict's out. Obama and the rest of the visitors have jetted off.

17 years later, world leaders haven't moved on when it comes to the climate

AndyBrace — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:12:49 +0100

Stability, growth, jobs all good - but where's the climate leadership? CC Image from London Summit on Flickr

Act fair and fast (our policy)

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:59:10 +0000

The global community must achieve a deal that delivers the scale and speed of emissions cuts that are required to have a good chance of keeping global warming under 2 degrees C. Such a deal must also be fair and equitable - especially in relation to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities - and must protect the world’s ecosystems. Given the latest scientific evidence, and the need to adopt a highly precautionary approach, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations should decline to around 350 ppmv CO₂(e).

Protect the poorest (our policy)

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:34:17 +0000

We must do everything we can to meet our moral obligations to the world’s poorest people who have done least to create climate change but who stand to suffer first and worst.

Our Obligations

The UK must provide funds for adaptation, mitigation and low carbon development in poor countries. Aside from helping to build a global low carbon economy (which is in all our interests), such funding should be seen as compensation owed for the damage we are causing to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. This follows the established ‘polluter pays’ principle; and committing to providing such funding would demonstrate good faith on the part of the UK as negotiations for a global climate deal continue.

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.

Response to Scottish Parliament's calls for bill opinions

TomAllen — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:52:01 +0000

Members of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition have been working together to respond to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee’s call for views on the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill that was introduced in December 2008.

SCCS calls on parliament to deliver strong climate legislation

TomAllen — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:51:24 +0000

Key members from across the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition will today (Tuesday 3 February) present their evidence on the Scottish Climate Change Bill to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee (TICC).

2009 is a critical year for action on climate change with global deal negotiations in Copenhagen in December.

Conservative proposals for a low carbon economy - Greenpeace reaction and briefing

AndyBrace — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:04:22 +0000

The Conservatives Low Carbon Economy paper published today is focused on three important elements of energy policy, relevant to the politics of the current energy debate. They are:

Energy Security
A policy beyond the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for coal
Kick-starting Renewable Energy

In this briefing we analyse their policies and conclude that, whilst the Tory proposals are not the final word and can be improved, they do put the weakness of the government's position in focus.

Carbon calling

AndyBrace — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Commenting on Conservative plans for a low-carbon Britain, Martin Harper, Head of Sustainable Development at the RSPB, said: "The Conservatives' plans for a green revolution are a welcome relief after yesterday's grim announcement on Heathrow. But they will need resolve and ammunition to make them real.

Visit your MSP about the Scottish Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:01:56 +0000

On Thursday 4th December the Scottish Climate Change Bill was introduced to Parliament. Thanks to the 21,000 people from around the world who responded to the consultation, the Bill sets strong measures to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gases. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement before it becomes an Act at the end of 2009.

Climate Change Bill introduced to Scottish Parliament

TomAllen — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:58:39 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has welcomed the introduction of a Climate Change Bill to the Scottish Parliament and has called on all MSPs to ensure it becomes a genuinely world leading piece of legislation.

Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said

Planning Bill must include climate duty

AndyBrace — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:01:01 +0000

The Government must make climate change a central consideration of the Planning Bill, Friends of the Earth said today (Thursday 6 November 2008) as the Report stage of the Bill begins in the House of Lords.

Energy Bill: Renewable energy proposals must be strengthened

AndyBrace — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:01:01 +0000

A coalition of trade bodies, unions and charities is calling for Government plans to introduce a feed-in tariff into its Energy Bill to be significantly strengthened so that people are given real financial incentives to install green energy systems

Campaigners delighted that the Bill's been increased

AndyBrace — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:10:54 +0000

We're rather belated in reporting this on our blog, but for the last week or so we've been meaning to write about two big climate change announcements.

On the back of the recent Cabinet re-shuffle, the UK Government three weeks ago created a new department - the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Celebrating win on Scottish Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:26:16 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland are celebrating the news today that the Scottish Government plans to include annual targets, and emissions from aviation and shipping, in the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Finance Minister John Swinney said that by including international aviation and shipping, emissions from all six greenhouse gases, and annual targets, Scotland will have the most ambitious Bill to tackle climate change anywhere in the world.

Campaigners and politicians warn loophole in climate bill could see UK carbon emissions rise.

AndyBrace — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:54 +0000

The World Development Movement welcomes the government’s commitment to a climate bill that includes an 80 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction target, but warns that, despite the target, a loophole in the bill could allow emissions to rise in the UK.

Dr Julian Oram, head of policy at the World Development Movement explained:

Parliament to vote on new climate change law

AndyBrace — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:01:01 +0000

Parliament to vote on new climate change law

Another fantastic win! Aviation & shipping included in bill!

TomAllen — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:40:40 +0000

We are all celebrating the news that ministers have finally listened to our chorus of dissent on excluding aviation and shipping from the bill.

Ed Miliband has announced plans to include these emissions sources in the Climate Change Bill targets due to become law in November. During the debate he specifically thanked you (if you took action):

I end by paying tribute not to those in the House, but to those outside it: those who saw the dangers of climate change and the actions that needed to be taken long before the politicians did. I pay tribute to the scientists who detected the problem, the campaigners who fought to bring it to public attention, the green movement that mobilised for change, and above all, the members of the public who wrote to us in record numbers, asking for a Bill that met the scale of the challenge. I believe that we have met that challenge. We owe them a debt of gratitude for making it happen, and I urge all Members to support the Third Reading.

UK finally agrees to tougher climate target

AndyBrace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:30:00 +0100

A UK commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by the middle of the century was today greeted as a victory by Tearfund.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has announced that the current 60 per cent emission cutting goal will be replaced by a new higher target.
The move comes after 18 months of campaigning by Tearfund, which is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition.
Paul Cook, Tearfund’s Advocacy Director, said, `We are pleased the government has announced a target that matches the science and gives the UK integrity on the international stage.
`This signals

Responding to Brown’s Crisis Plan: new world order must be pro poor not pro bank

AndyBrace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:39:38 +0100

16 October 2008

Last night, Gordon Brown set out proposals to fix the broken global economy, including fundamental reform of the IMF and World Bank. Analysis of the operations of the World Bank and the IMF leaves the World Development Movement sceptical that reform of these powerful institutions is possible.

Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement said:

Government increases climate emissions target to 80 per cent - as Miliband backs financial incentives for small-scale renewable

AndyBrace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:01:01 +0100

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the Government's decision today (Thursday 16 October 2008) to increase its target for cutting UK emissions to 80 per cent but warned pollution from planes and ships needs to be dealt with in law.

We're winning! One final push on Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:23:47 +0100

We are celebrating success with the news that one of our key demands has been supported by the Government's expert Committee on Climate Change.

For the last twelve months, campaigners have called for the Government to adopt at least an 80 per cent target for carbon dioxide emissions reductions by 2050 – one of three key ‘asks’ to politicians and policymakers in 2008. The Committee has backed this.

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.

Don't abandon EU climate agenda, says Gordon Brown

AndyBrace — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:01:01 +0100

Gordon Brown's comments today in support of the EU climate change agenda has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth

Coalition leaders' open letter to Brown published in Guardian

TomAllen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:03:08 +0100

The leaders of Stop Climate Chaos Coalition wrote to the Guardian on the 10th October to hold Gordon Brown to his promise to meet 15% of our energy needs from UK renewables by 2020.

The letter was printed and published on the Guardian website.

Time to act tough on climate change

AndyBrace — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:02:00 +0100

The Government can become the world's climate change leader if it accepts the recommendation to cut emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

New climate and energy department must be department of clarity on climate change, not contradiction

AndyBrace — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:12:21 +0100

he World Development Movement cautiously welcomes the new department for climate and energy but warns that is must from its outset be the ‘department of clarity and not contradiction’ to what is sure to be a crucial and controversial brief.

Julian Oram, head of policy at the World Development Movement said: