The Big Ask – Climate Change Bill

My role: Campaign Assistant, Friends of the Earth, Stop Climate Chaos

Friends of the Earth started the call for a Climate Change Bill throughThe Big Ask campaign. The campaign was launched in 2005 to ‘secure new legislation which would require successive Government’s to cut the UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions by at least three per cent every year.’

The call was successful, and the Bill was introduced on 2006. The attention then turned to making the Bill as strong as possible. Celebrities, influencers and the public were mobilised to call for an increased target to cut emissions (from 60% to 80%) and for this to include aviation and shipping emissions.

Public meetings were held up and down the country to lobby Government ministers, party leaders and MPs, including a meeting in London with over 1,000 attendees. A coalition of support was created and, following increasing political and public pressure, the Bill became an Act, inclusive of the 80% emissions target for all UK emissions.