AFTER OUR ALMOST TWO YEAR LONG CAMPAIGN,
THE UK SET A LEGALLY BINDING NET ZERO TARGET IN JUNE 2019.
We brought together people from all walks of life to show that the public, alongside faith leaders, business, scientists and more, are clearly behind ending the UK’s contribution to climate change.
From thousands of green hearts, to sending letters, to meeting with their MPs, to three-quarters of a million signatures on a petition, we made sure that politicians put aside their differences and commit to do whatever is necessary to protect the people, places and lives we love from the worst effects of climate change.
MPs got involved too, and a letter led by Simon Clarke MP was signed by 192 MPs from different parties asking the Prime Minister to back a UK net zero emissions target ahead of 2050.
Together we’ve been a united voice that shows we are determined to fight against climate change and pave the way to a brighter tomorrow.
We must keep up the pressure. The Time is Now to deliver on the UK’s commitment and create a future
where the UK no longer contributes to climate change.
a Historic tweet
In her tweet announcing the target, Theresa May directly referenced the diverse range of groups that had written to her calling for net zero before 2050.
MAKING VOICES HEARD
Almost three-quarters of a million people added their voice to our petition calling for a net zero target, and we handed it into 10 Downing Street.
UNIFIED PASSION FROM OUR MPS HAS THE ABILITY TO CHANGE NOT ONLY LAWS, BUT LIVES.
HERE’S THE STORY OF THE NET ZERO CAMPAIGN
2008: CREATION OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT
The Climate Change Act is ushered in to incredible cross-party consensus, providing a clear direction for how the UK will tackle climate change. It’s one of the the first Acts of its kind, establishing Britain as a world leader in the fight for a cleaner future.
2008: CREATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
As part of the Act, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is created. The CCC is a powerful, independent body that plays an instrumental role in providing advice to the government on emissions targets and ensuring that they remain focussed on the long-term objectives of mitigating and preparing for climate change.
2012: 1ST CARBON BUDGET MET
The 1st carbon budget is met! The Act requires the government to set legally-binding carbon budgets—caps on the amount of greenhouse gasses that are emitted—to act as stepping stones towards the 2050 reduction target. In meeting the first carbon budget, the UK saw a 25% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels.
2012: UK IS A LEADER IN CREATING THE PARIS AGREEMENT
As one of the first comprehensive climate laws adopted globally, the Act became the basis of a sustained international campaign on climate change by the Foreign Office. That engagement was an unexpected success, helping the UK play a leadership role in building momentum for and negotiating the landmark Paris Agreement.
2017: 2ND CARBON BUDGET MET
The 2nd carbon budget is met! During the second carbon budget period, the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions were 43% below 1990 levels while the economy grew by two thirds over the same period.
2017: UK PLEDGES TO PHASE OUT COAL POWER
In order to reach the targets laid out in the Act, the UK becomes a founding partner of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which commits the UK to phasing out coal power by 2025.
2017: THE CLEAN GROWTH STRATEGY IS PUBLISHED
The government publishes its Clean Growth Strategy, setting out how we will meet our legally binding climate goals set by the Paris Agreement. As the global goal was 2C above pre-industrial levels when the Climate Change Act was created, this strategy raises the ambition to meet the revised goal of 1.5C.
2018: MPS BACK ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES
MPs back a proposed Bill that would see all homes brought to a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of ‘C’ by 2035. Improving the energy performance of homes is a key way the government can build a Britain fit for the future and reduce emissions.
2018: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MORE WIND POWER
The government unveils plans that will see offshore wind capacity double over the next decade, generating approximately 20% of UK power and powering millions of homes each year in the near future.
2018: GOVERNMENT PLEDGES TO TAKE DIESEL OFF OUR ROADS
In an effort to curb emissions from the 37 million vehicles on UK roads, the government pledged that half of all new car sales will be hybrid or electric by 2030 and that it will end the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.
