28 Oct 2008

The world's first climate change law, due to be passed by the UK Parliament today (28 October), will include all that hundreds of thousands around the UK have campaigned for.

Friends of the Earth's successful three and a half year Big Ask campaign - which led the call for a strong climate change law - has been supported by many thousands in Wales, with a number of Welsh celebrities also adding their voice.

Friends of the Earth Cymru has hailed the achievement of a law tough enough to tackle the enormous challenge of climate change as a major victory for people power.

The Bill, which will be made law in November, will make the UK the first country in the world to commit to legally binding cuts in its greenhouse gas emissions. The new law will cover all greenhouse gas emissions - including the UK's share of emissions from international shipping and aviation - and will reduce total emissions by 80% by 2050.

As well as the enormous commitment from Friends of the Earth local group members across Wales, the Big Ask campaign has been strongly supported by Welsh celebrities such as singer Cerys Matthews, rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain (GLC) and DJ Huw Stephens.

Newport rappers GLC said:

"We're so proud to have helped Friends of the Earth, in our own small way, to get the word out and empower people to make some noise about climate change. Our hope is that now other countries will follow the UK's lead."

Radio One, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru DJ Huw Stephens said:

"It's great that so many people in Wales supported the campaign for a strong UK climate change law, and made sure their voices have been heard in London. Climate change will affect us all, and we're all in this fight together."

Gordon James, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"Three and a half years ago it seemed a very big ask indeed that we'd get a climate change law at all. But we've never stopped campaigning for a strong law. Annual targets, 80% emission cuts by 2050, including international aviation and shipping - all these are essential parts of the law we've had to fight for.

"Friends of the Earth local group members all around Wales have played a hugely important part in this success. For years they've been out on the streets talking to people, visiting MPs, writing letters and holding events. And every one of the thousands of people in Wales who've sent a postcard or emailed their MP can be proud of what's been achieved.

"The Welsh Assembly Government is already committed to annual targets of 3% emission reductions, and was the first government in the world to do so. Now this can work hand-in-hand with the UK law to drive down our greenhouse gas emissions.

"With this new law, Wales and the UK really can lead the world in tackling climate change."

NOTES

1. A Briefing on the Climate Change Bill is at: www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/climate_change_bill.pdf
   The briefing includes information on
   • What the Climate Change Law will do
   • Next Steps - implementing the Climate Change Law
   • How the Climate Change Law will affect Government policy
   • How the Climate Change Law will affect our lives
   • The history of the Climate Change Law and The Big Ask Campaign
   • The Climate Change Law in numbers
2. Trading
   Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to ensure that the vast majority of the emissions reductions - required by the Bill - are made in the UK.
   As it stands - there is nothing in the Bill to ensure that emissions reductions are made at home. It is possible that the Government will buy in carbon credits from abroad and count them towards national emissions reduction targets rather than making the changes that are needed at home (carbon credits are essentially investments in emissions reductions projects such as wind farms in developing countries).
   The issue will need to be addressed in December when the UK Government announces the UK's carbon budget for the next five years and sets out where the cuts in emissions will be made.
3. The latest science shows that rich countries such as the UK must cut their emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050 and set short term targets for urgent changes if the world is going to avoid dangerous climate change.

For further information please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577