Friends of the Earth secures Climate Change Bill1 November 2006
We did it! In the Queen's Speech on November 15th the Government announced its intention to introduce a Climate Change Bill.
My government will publish a bill on climate change as part of its policy to protect the environment, consistent with the need to secure long-term energy supplies.
Her Majesty the Queen,
opening of Parliament, 15 November 2006.
This is a massive success for Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign.
We couldn't have done it without the thousands and thousands of people who contacted their MP to ask for just such a Bill - if you were one of those people, thank you!
People often say 'Does anything change politics?', well here it has.
Nick Robinson, BBC Political Editor, commenting the
Friends of the Earth Big Ask campaign and the inclusion of a Climate Change Bill in the Queen's Speech.
History of the campaign
In April 2005 we drafted a Climate Change Bill unveiled by:
- John Gummer (Conservative)
Former Environment Secretary - Michael Meacher (Labour)
Former Environment Secretary - Norman Baker (Liberal Democrats)
Environment spokesperson at the time
A month later, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke launched our Big Ask Campaign to gain support for the Bill. In just a week, 100 of our local groups took the campaign to the streets.
Thom Yorke, Radiohead and Tony Juniper, Director, Friends of the Earth launch the campaign
Help from our friends
Since then - thanks to you - we've:
- Attended festivals and gigs
- Held scores of public meetings
- Spread the word via the media and local events
People & Planet, The Women's Institute, and other member groups of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition have all lent their support. Now over 400 MPs back the campaign.
Next steps
The inclusion of the Bill in the Queen's Speech is a resounding success for our recent Big Ask Big Month Big Lobby. The Bill is what people have been lobbying their MPs for.
The next step will be to make sure the Climate Change Bill is a decent one.
We need year-on-year cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, policies to make the cuts a reality, and ways of keeping the Government on track. With your help over the coming year we can do this.
Make a difference - join ClimateOnline now.
For more information about our European climate change campaign see: TheBigAsk.eu
© Friends of the Earth
