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Don't loosen future emissions reductions targets

Following recent news that the legal target for carbon emissions reductions from 2018-2022, established under the UK's Climate Change Act, had been exceeded there have been concerns that the government would "carry forward" this surplus in order to loosen future targets. Please write to your MP to make clear you oppose any loosening of future emissions reductions targets.

See here or here for more information and below for suggested text, which you can use or adjust as you see fit. As ever, If you do write to your MP, please let us know by replying to this email. Please see here for details of your MP and how they should be addressed:

Dear (MP name)

I’m writing to you in light of the recent announcement that the legal target for carbon emissions reductions from 2018-2022, established under the UK's Climate Change Act, has been exceeded, with overall carbon emissions lower than required during that period. However, I would like to concur with the clear advice of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and, for the following reasons, express my opposition to any move by the government to "carry forward" this surplus in order to loosen future targets:

  • It would lead to the absurd scenario where our emissions could increase by 15% but still remain within target;
  • The lower emissions were largely the result of external factors, most notably the pandemic, rather than genuine early action to reduce emissions. The changes needed to meet future carbon budgets are largely still to be made;
  • It would put compliance with future carbon budgets at risk. Claiming any reason to delay action now would just mean larger and more impractical emissions cuts would be needed in the future;
  • The budgets were set on the basis that there would be no “carry-forward”, and that the aim should be to meet and outperform those budgets. In short, the budgets are there to drive carbon reduction, not to excuse backsliding;
  • It would be inconsistent with our international commitments to accelerate carbon reduction, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement;
  • It’s quite clear that the rapid acceleration of climate change which we are witnessing demands that the government needs to dramatically speed up the pace of carbon reduction. Slowing down is simply not an option.

Please can you use your influence as an MP to oppose any move by the government to use the 2018-2022 carbon reduction budget surplus as an excuse to loosen future targets.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter
Kind regards
(Your name, address & postcode)

Here's a round-up of more ongoing climate-related activities, initiatives and ideas for actions for 2024:

    • Sign up here for the Norwich hub of Green New Deal UK (GND-UK) who are actively looking at what a Green New Deal would look like in Norwich and seeking to work with partners to develop and promote the campaign. See here to provide information on the type of activity you would like to be involved in. One of the core elements of the campaign is creating more secure jobs, and there are specific actions that GDN-UK are taking under the banner of Green Jobs for All. The campaign is also working on creating a food strategy for Norwich, identifying gaps and barriers to a just food system.
    • Tell your Council to stop investing in fossil fuels. Take action here (Friends of the Earth)
    • See here to send an email opposing the Trans Mountain pipeline for Canada's tar sands oil
  • See here for RSPB's tips on nestboxes and encouraging birds into your garden


Ongoing actions and campaigns (updated):

    • Press the UK government to implement a simple, effective and fair method of carbon pricing: the Carbon Fee & Dividend, otherwise known as Climate Income. See some tips for writing to your MP here. Find your MP details here or here. Please let us know by responding to this email if you are writing to your MP.
    • Find out more about the Climate Coalition's "Show the Love" campaign and download the action pack.
  • For more ideas for action join Mighty Earth, a global organisation that works to conserving threatened landscapes like tropical rainforests, protect oceans and fight climate change.

What to watch:

  • The Boiling Point webinar series gives you the chance to learn the basics of international climate change politics.

Some useful local links:
Norfolk Farmshare
Ernie's Zero Waste Shop


You can also keep up to date with ideas for actions on our facebook page here.

See link here for a really useful series of TED talks, excellent for education purposes