Archived press release

New Campaign for Climate Change Law - 73% Say Government Not Doing Enough

25 May 2005

Radiohead front man Thom Yorke is today (May 25) calling for thousands of people across the country to back The Big Ask, a new national climate change campaign to make the Government legally responsible for reducing the UK's impact on global warming.

It comes as a NOP survey shows that nearly three quarters of the public believes the Government is not doing enough to tackle climate change.

The UK is failing to meet its climate change targets and The Big Ask campaign, launched by Friends of the Earth, challenges the Government to bring in a new climate change law. The law would force the Government to take responsibility for the UK's contribution to global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent every year.

The Big Ask campaign is backed by a new report by Friends of the Earth which shows how the Government can meet carbon dioxide reduction targets without nuclear power. Carbon dioxide emissions have risen under Labour.

The new law would force the Government to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, by three per cent every year. This would mean the UK was genuinely leading the world on climate change. It would provide far greater certainty for the environment and for the industries that need to change to tackle climate change. Avoiding action in the short term will only lead to more expensive and drastic action having to be taken in the future. The public can back the campaign by logging onto www.thebigask.com

A NOP survey for Friends of the Earth, published today, confirms that the public wants the Government to show leadership on climate change. The poll revealed that:

• 73 per cent do not think that the Government is doing enough to tackle climate change;
• 55 per cent think that the Government should be taking the lead on climate change - 26 per cent said individuals; 13 per cent plumped for business.

Friends of the Earth director, Tony Juniper said:

"Climate change is the biggest threat the planet faces. Urgent action is desperately needed. But despite Government promises to cut carbon dioxide levels, emissions are rising. The Big Ask campaign aims to make the Government legally responsible for tackling climate change. We want a new law requiring ministers to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent each year which will make us genuine global leaders on the issue of climate change. We need the public to help us achieve this by asking the Government to do more, and asking their MPs to back the Climate Change Bill. It could be the most important question you ever ask."

Briefings on The Big Ask; Climate change and How to achieve 3% cuts:

www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/climatechangeimpacts.pdf (PDF)
www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/thebigaskmediabrief.pdf (PDF)
www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/twelvepointplan.pdf (PDF)
www.foe.co.uk/resource/consultation_responses/ccpr_foe_submission.pdf (PDF)

Notes

The Big Ask is a multi-media campaign to raise public awareness of climate change and getting people asking questions such as what the Government what it is doing to tackle climate change, why emissions are rising, and why it hasn't been made cheaper and easier for people to reduce their own contribution to climate change. The Big Ask calls on the public to ask their MP to back the Climate Change Bill. A Big Ask cinema ad will run in dozens of cinemas over the summer. Still pictures and video clips of the ad are available on request.

The Climate Change Bill is supported by former environment minister Michael Meacher (Labour), with the backing of former Environment Secretary John Gummer (Conservative) and Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Norman Baker, and a coalition of organizations.

The NOP survey, commissioned by Friends of the Earth, interviewed 1000 people across Britain between 6-8 May 2005. Weighting was applied to the data to bring it in line with national profiles.

A full breakdown of results is available from Friends of the Earth - including by region; sex and age.

Despite Government promises to cut carbon dioxide levels by 20 per cent by 2010 (based on 1990 levels) and 60 per cent by 2050, emissions have risen since Labour came to power in 1997 and meeting these targets is already in doubt. Carbon dioxide levels are now three per cent higher than 1997, and the Government has admitted that current Climate Change strategy is inadequate for meeting its 2010 target. The strategy is currently being reviewed, and an announcement is expected over the summer.

Measures that the Government could introduce to tackle global warming range from incentives to buy fuel efficient cars and appliances, a comprehensive programme of energy efficiency measures, higher standards for new houses to the replacement of old-inefficient coal-fired power stations with state of the art models, the development of more renewable energy and massive investment in public transport. More information: www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/twelvepointplan.pdf (PDF)

The Big Ask National Cinema Ad

The Big Ask cinema ad has been produced on a pro bono basis by creative agency, Clemmow Hornby Inge, (CHI). CHI is known for its innovative approach to campaigns. Commercial clients include Tango, English Heritage, Heart FM and The Spectator. The ad features children aged 3-11 speaking about climate change. www.chiadvertising.com/

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If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust