Climate Action
We are facing a climate crisis, with people around the world feeling the deadly effects of climate breakdown. It is only by tackling the root causes of the climate crisis can we help build a better future.
A rapidly warming climate is putting our ability to grow enough food at risk, increasing political instability and wiping out tens of thousands of plant and animal species. We are working for the necessary transformation of our economy and energy systems to secure a liveable future for all.
Another world is possible. Tackling the root causes of climate change gives us a chance to stop its worst impacts and create a fairer and more equal society.
Climate justice for all
Our climate is being dramatically changed by the burning of fossil fuels and destruction of nature. For too long, Governments and big business have been putting profits for a small group of people above our collective rights to a safe planet.
The impacts of extreme weather are being felt first and the hardest by those who have done least to cause the problem. But people across the world are organising together to stand up to big polluters and demand climate justice.
For a fairer, greener society
Transformative action is needed across all parts of our economy if we are to meet our commitments to cut climate pollution. In Scotland, we are working to reduce our use of fossil fuels, make transport greener and cut the impact of the things we buy.
We must also recognise that multiple crises and injustices of past and present – hunger, poverty, racism, sexism, classism, nature collapse – share the same drivers and the same solutions as the climate emergency.
What are we doing
- We are supporting communities and groups to campaign on the issues that matter to them
- We are pressing the Scottish Government to live up to their climate targets and to end their spending on polluting projects
- By exposing the over-reliance on dangerous distraction technologies like Carbon Capture and Hydrogen, we are demanding urgent action to cut pollution at source
- We participate in UN climate conferences, both inside and outside, with international allies to campaign for international climate justice and fair, people-led solutions to this crisis.
Bute House protest demands First Minister stick to climate target commitments
We organised a protest outside the First Minister's residence to demand the Scottish Government do not scrap their targets for climate action this decade.
Scotland must stick to climate commitments
UN Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai
Our verdict on the outcomes from the key climate talks COP28 - including cutting emissions, loss and damage and finance for climate action.
COP28 failure on fossil fuels ‘must not be an excuse at home’
Climate March: End Fossil Fuels
People took to the streets in Edinburgh to demand a fair and fast transition away from the fossil fuels that are trashing our climate.
Read More
Could moving past growth protect the planet?
Changing our economic system could help transform the fight against climate change.
Why climate change is an LGBTQ issue
The climate crisis is the biggest social issue of our time. For many young environmental activists, their activism is intertwined with their queer identities.
Climate change impacts in Scotland
We look at the evidence on how the climate emergency will further impact on Scottish people, wildlife and society.
How we are making climate progress
- Groups are taking action to challenge fossil fuel companies and their dangerous expansion plans
- People Power helped improve the Scotland’s climate law to set higher targets for action
- Scores of organisations came together to demand that our recovery from the pandemic to help set us on a course to a greener, fairer society
- COP26 was a powerful moment that showed the breadth of the climate movement as 150,000 people marched through Glasgow.
The climate crisis is being driven by over-consumption by the rich, particularly in the global north. But hope remains because the science also shows that another world, with decent standards of living for all, is possible.
Mary Church, Head of Campaigns
Latest Blogs
Revealed: the true climate cost of new gas at Peterhead power station
Annual pollution could be 1 million tonnes more than companies have disclosed to the Scottish Government
Why is Scotland scrapping its climate targets?
Why Scotland is scrapping its vital climate targets, why this matters and what needs to happen now.
The SNP manifesto’s climate and nature policies – the verdict
Does the SNP have good green policies? We’ve analysed their 2024 manifesto to find out if they deserve yo
Latest Press Releases
‘Humilitating’ debate to ditch Scottish climate targets
15 years of insufficient climate action from Scottish Ministers has brought us to this shameful moment.
Climate campaigners urge Labour Minister to withdraw from fossil fuel event
Campaigners argue his role at the oil conference is incompatible with a commitment to tackle the worsening climate emergency.
Grangemouth closure reaction: no justice in this decision
The inevitable Grangemouth closure showed both Governments have no credible just transition plans
Resources
Climate Bill Briefing
Climate Justice in Palestine is a Human Right
Our Letter to the First Minister about COP28 & Peterhead Power Station
Annual Review 2022-2023
National Planning Framework 4 Briefing
The Role of the Scottish Government in the Phase Out of Oil & Gas
A fair and fast transition away from fossil fuels to clean, affordable, renewable energy is an urgent necessity.
Related work
Almost all of our work is guided by the need for urgent climate action. Across a range of campaigns we are pushing decision-makers to go further and faster in cutting climate pollution whilst improving lives.
No new oil & gas
We must urgently stop the fossil fuels that are destroying our climate.
Making transport greener
Tackling the root causes of climate change gives us a chance to stop its worst impacts and create a fairer and more equal world.
Changing our economy
Our wasteful approach is using up huge amounts of natural resources and helps drive climate breakdown.
UN Climate Summit Glasgow COP26
The UN Climate Summit (COP26) will be held in Glasgow in November 2021.
We answer your key questions about the event, the key issues that will be discussed and how to get involved in action around it.
Help Stop Cambo
The UK Government is considering a huge new oil field off Shetland.
The climate impact of it will be devastating. We must stop it.
Sign the open letter to Boris Johnson
Why Carbon Capture and Storage is not the answer
Tackling the climate crisis requires urgent action to cut emissions and transform society, not years more delay in the hope that technology and the markets will provide the answer.
We explain why speculative technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage, Hydrogen and BioEnergy are not real climate solutions.
An end to North Sea Oil & Gas
Our major ‘Sea Change’ report has revealed UK’s oil and gas drilling plans, and Scottish Government’s support for them, are incompatible with responding to the climate emergency.
The research also shows that, with the right policies and support, clean industries could create more than three jobs for every oil and gas job at risk.
Putting climate at the heart of recovery plans
Climate action and green jobs can help deliver a Just & Green Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic unfolded against a backdrop of climate breakdown, and has already cost tens of thousands of people their jobs in Scotland.
A programme of green job creation and climate action can create thousands of good jobs across the country while setting us on the right path to meet our climate targets and deliver a Just Transition away from fossil fuels.
Read our plan
Scotland's Response to the Climate Emergency
Expert speakers from across our economy and society came together to discuss how emissions could be reduced in key sectors at a pace to meet our climate commitments while building a fairer Scotland.
Presentations were recorded and you can catch up on the discussions in buildings, energy, circular economy, transport, agriculture, land use and marine and industry.
Demand Climate Justice!
Find out more about international climate action from the Paris Agreement to the IPCC, and how we work with our Friends of the Earth International network and other key allies to fight for climate justice.
Scotland's Climate Act
MSPs passed a Climate Change Bill for Scotland in September 2019
People power helped improve the Bill but it still falls short of what the Climate Emergency requires.
Find out what this new law does
Impacts of climate change
We look at the evidence on how the climate emergency will impact on Scottish people, wildlife and society.
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We can only make positive changes happens because people like you care enough to take action. Consider backing our work with a donation