Study shows 40% emission cuts possible in Europe

A study released by Stockholm Environment Institute in partnership with Friends of the Earth Europe proves for the first time that Europe could double its greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2020. The research shows how Europe can cut domestic emissions by 40% in 2020, and by 90% in 2050, compared to 1990 levels.

This is the minimum scale and speed of reductions science says is likely to be needed from rich countries to avert a climate catastrophe and would enable the European Union to live up to its historical responsibility for causing climate change.

Read more | Download the study | The 40% seminar in the European Parliament

Energy Union

Climate Change, Environmental Protection, Renewable Energy, Intelligent Energy... All media buzzwords. We hear them all the time, and generally forget about them. Our Mission: to explain & inform, to get people thinking and acting. Energy Union is a campaign, a touring show, a party, and arts event and a discussion forum rolled into one, direct and to the point, giving you information, entertainment and top tips to save the planet!

Energy Union website | Sign the petition

EU losing direction in the climate debate

EU Environment Ministers have shelved a Commission report  analysing the possibility of increasing the EU’s current 20% by 2020 emissions target. Friends of the Earth Europe believes that this jeopardises the EU’s chances of averting catastrophic man made climate change. The decision came on the same day as a UN climate conference concluded in Bonn without the EU or other industrialised countries making a clear commitment to an effective global agreement to tackle climate change.

Read the press release

The Big Ask

The Big Ask campaign brings together people from 18 countries, all with the same big ask - That their governments commit to reduce carbon emissions, year on year. Every year.

These cuts should lead to at least a 40% reduction of emissions within Europe by 2020.

We also demand that European countries provide their fair share of the finances needed for developing countries to tackle climate change and to adapt to its consequences.

About the Big Ask

The Big Ask film clip

A short film made by Friends of the Earth in Belgium, with the help of award winning film director Nic Balthazar and 6,000 extras is helping spread the message that politicians must 'Act Now' to tackle climate change.

Watch the clip | The Big Ask again

The Big Ask around Europe

An overview of progress that is being made towards climate change legislation in the 18 countries where the Big Ask campaign is running, and a clickable map with links to campaign websites.

Overview of campaigns around Europe | Clickable map

Demanding Climate Justice in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has been an abject failure. Justice has not been done. By delaying action, rich countries have condemned millions of the world’s poorest people to hunger, suffering and loss of life as climate change accelerates. The blame for this disastrous outcome is squarely on the developed nations.

Friends of the Earth will continue to demand climate justice. The "Big Ask" campaign is running in 18 countries across Europe, demanding strong and fair climate laws which will introduce binding annual cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

News from Copenhagen | The Big Ask campaign in your country

Scotland's climate bill sets a precedent for Europe

Brussels, 24 June- Friends of the Earth Europe has warmly welcomed the groundbreaking Climate Change Bill passed in Scotland today.
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) today voted for a target to reduce greenhouse gases by 42 per cent by 2020 – the most ambitious statutory target in the world.

Read more

Climate law in the UK

In November 2008, the UK adopted a climate law - committing the government to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

The campaign for this groundbreaking new legislation was led by Friends of the Earth through The Big Ask campaign, which was launched in 2005 with Radiohead front man Thom Yorke and supported by 200,000 people.

Read more about the victory | The Big Ask in your country
ClientEarth report: The UK Climate Change Act 2008

The Age of Stupid

The Age of Stupid is a 90-minute film about climate change, which had its world premiere in London on March 15th 2009, and is currently being screened in UK cinemas. It will be released in other countires in the coming months.

Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devasted world of 2055, looking back at “archive” footage from 2007 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

The Age of Stupid website | View the trailer