Why we should give the EU a hug - Friends of the Earth's monthly review of news, views and action

Mike Childs

09 May 2013

Don't you just love the European Union? I found the recent attacks on it from climate sceptic Lord Lawson and UKIP chief Nigel Farage made me want to hug it a little closer.

So this month's review of news, views and action from Friends of the Earth is dedicated to the European Union. That's not only because the EU - against the UK Government's wishes - just stepped in to give our bees some freedom from harmful neonicotinoid pesticides.

What's the EU done for the environment?

For Friends of the Earth, the EU law-making process has always been critical to securing environmental improvements in the UK.  We have published a new briefing  - produced for us by EU policy expert Dr Charlotte Burns at York University - outlining some of the environmental progress made in the UK because of the EU, and the risks from full or partial withdrawal. A quick taster - legal protection for birds, beaches and habitats appears to be most at risk.

Unless the UK were to leave the EU entirely then our bees will now be safe from dangerous neonicotinoid pesticides for some time. Our Bee Cause Campaign is about much more than pesticides, but a control on neonicotinoids has been an important component. We've been working with others to secure an EU ban on them - including with a wonderful March of the Beekeepers protest outside Parliament. We were therefore delighted with the EU vote; as we have been with a plethora of major retailers withdrawing the nasty stuff from their shelves.

And a few weeks ago the Supreme Court supported a legal case from Client Earth that the UK Government is failing in its legal duty to meet EU air pollution targets. Hurrah for the Supreme Court, hurrah for EU air pollution rules.

Our campaigners are busy right now pushing for strong EU rules on company reporting, for stronger rules on the indirect land use changes that result from the dash to biofuels, and for new indicators to measure the EU's impact on the global environment.

Not that we only look to the EU to drive change. Since devolution we can look to the devolved UK nations to drive change.

The Welsh Assembly has been pushing forwards a Sustainable Development Bill and our campaigners have been active trying to ensure that it is as robust and strong as possible. I find it hard to imagine the Coalition Government pursuing the same agenda after their scrapping of the Sustainable Development Commission.

Achieving change at a UK level is unfortunately an uphill struggle. But progress is not impossible, and support across the political spectrum is growing for the inclusion of a decarbonisation target for electricity in the Energy Bill. The vote is likely in June.

Cutting carbon emissions

The idea for a decarbonisation target resulted from a recommendation from the Climate Change Committee to ensure that the Climate Change Act - a splendid piece of domestic legislation - is delivered. Delivering the Climate Change Act is critical for the UK to maintain its reputation as a leading nation on the fight against climate change. But reducing UK emissions alone is not enough. The Committee on Climate Change rightfully pointed out in April that the UK's emissions have grown over recent decades if you include greenhouse gas releases associated with the stuff we import and consume.

Of course reducing greenhouse gas emissions is much more than about reputation. With global concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere passing 400 parts per million, the need for urgent action to reduce emissions increases. That's why Friends of the Earth was active at the recent Bonn International climate talks and has launched a new Get Gobby Campaign with students for lower-meat diets. It's why we're seeking to influence Government guidance to local authorities on fracking for dirty shale gas, due in July, and are working with other groups to push back against a drive to build unnecessary new roads.

Do give the EU a hug to thank it for its work in protecting our health and our environment - and to encourage it to do more - but also give a hug to all those campaigners who are working tirelessly to protect and enhance our environment.

As for Lord Lawson and Nigel Farage - well let's say I wouldn't, unless perhaps they were wearing a hoodie.