The impacts of climate breakdown are intensifying: more than ever, a rapid transition away from fossil fuels is needed. But this government's failure to address the crisis have left ordinary people facing soaring energy bills, and crucial infrastructure like public transport failing, while energy giants pocket obscene profits.
A transformation is needed. A National Climate and Biodiversity Service could deliver on decarbonisation and biodiversity targets at the pace and scale demanded by science. By providing coherence and coordination across government, including devolved, regional and local government, an NCS will organise, plan, train and deliver the huge number of jobs required for a rapid and far reaching transition that puts economic and social justice for workers and communities at its heart.
Campaign against Climate Change Trade Union Group, PCS Union, Greener Jobs Alliance
Join trade unionists and local activists in Whitehaven on Saturday 22nd July, at 12 noon, to oppose the West Cumbria Coal Mine.
We say: Not Coal, Not Dole! We want Climate Jobs and a Just Transition
In a time of accelerating climate breakdown, it is outrageous that the government has given permission for a new coal mine in Cumbria. The coal will be exported, not used for UK steel as claimed. It is also claimed that this is the only way that the local community can access jobs which are desperately needed after decades of neglect.
But thousands of jobs could be created in Cumbria in renewable energy, transport, housing retrofitting, and other sustainable activities. We cannot have our communities left behind but coal jobs are not the jobs for the future or the present. Local communities shouldn't be held to ransom by West Cumbria Mining Ltd which is 82% owned by a Capital Investment company registered in Singapore.
What you can do
- Share information about the event in your networks (Facebook event here)
Join us and other activists as the first delegates arrive for crucial negotiations to determine carbon emissions from international shipping - and again on Monday 3rd July
Where? Outside the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization on the Albert Embankment in London, SE1 7SR
When? Most delegates will be arriving 8.30-9.00 for a 9.30am meeting start, so we need to be there by 8.30.
What's at stake?
Targets for reducing shipping's climate impact are up for negotiation at IMO meetings taking place 26-30 June and 3-7 July. Net Zero by 2050 is on the table - but that will have little force to drive the short term emissions cuts that are desperately needed. We need more countries to support proposals to halve shipping emissions by 2030.
Global shipping emits more carbon than any but the most polluting countries (China, the US, India, Russia and Japan), accounting for around 3% of global emissions. But, like aviation, it escapes regulation within the UN climate process because of its transnational status.
In April we'll be joining XR and many other campaigners at 'The Big One' - a climate action around Parliament and the surrounding area, under the banner 'Unite to Survive'.
As the IPCC releases its latest summary report of climate science warning of the final chance to act - a 'survival guide for humanity', unity and solidarity is more important than ever, bringing together different struggles, and fighting back against the politics of division.
Come when you like, leave when you like, and stay for as long as you can. There will be engaging speakers, interactive activities and more across the four days. Some details:
Friday 21 – Day 1: things will kick off with the People’s Picket, as everyone surrounds the government departments in the area, flooding Westminster in a wave of flags and banners.
Saturday 22 – Earth Day: it will include a huge march for nature, biodiversity and the planet. This will be a colourful, creative and extremely family-friendly day.
On Sunday 29th January, we'll be holding both the Campaign against Climate Change AGM and also our trade union group AGM. Both will be online. Our supporters are welcome to attend both or just one.
10.00-11.10: Campaign against Climate Change AGM
We'll be looking back at 2022 and towards the year ahead, including:
Keep it in the ground - stopping the Cumbria coal mine: Update from campaigner Maggie Mason of South Lakes Action on Climate Change. The decision to approve the Whitehaven coal mine is a fossil fuelled disaster, now being challenged in the courts, and is emblematic of this government's approach to climate change.
Building for mass mobilisation: Discussing plans announced by XR for mobilisation in London on 21 April. With Cathy Allen, XR.
As part of our AGM, we elect members of the steering group of the campaign. The steering group meets around 5 times a year and is responsible for the strategic direction and financial management of the Campaign against Climate Change. Steering group members should support the general approach of the campaign, represent across the group as a whole a diversity of experience, skills and interests and have enough time to be able to contribute some practical help between meetings.
If you wish to stand for the campaign's steering group, or one of the officer positions (Chair, Treasurer or Secretary) you will need to send your name, with the names of your proposer and seconder (who should also be campaign members) to claire@campaigncc.org by 23rd January. Any members who are interested in joining the steering group and would like to know more about what is involved are welcome to email before then for an informal chat.
Any motions submitted (they should be brief) also need a proposer and seconder and should be submitted by the same deadline.
People have had enough. On top of a decade of austerity cuts, rocketing bills are hitting hard, forcing families to make impossible choices.
And the cost of living scandal is also a climate scandal.
The UK is particularly vulnerable to oil and gas price rises. Again, this is because of government choices: refusal to tackle the UK's dependence on fossil gas, alongside deliberate removal of support for home insulation, leaving our homes drafty and expensive to heat.
But Rishi Sunak has consistently blocked any meaningful investment in home insulation. Instead he has gone down the most dangerous route possible by incentivising fossil fuel extraction. For every pound invested in UK oil and gas, corporations can claim 91 pence tax relief on the new 'windfall tax'. How about investment in renewables for long term secure (and cheap!) energy? No tax relief for that, this is a reward for dirty energy only.
The Chancellor was forced into a U-turn on a windfall tax, so we can see that people power works. Now we need to demand better. His plan would take money from oil and gas companies and returning it straight to their pockets. By refusing to reverse benefit cuts or invest in insulation or renewables to lower bills, families are left vulnerable.
People have had enough. On top of a decade of austerity cuts, rocketing bills are hitting hard, forcing families to make impossible choices.
And the cost of living scandal is also a climate scandal.
The UK is particularly vulnerable to oil and gas price rises. Again, this is because of government choices: refusal to tackle the UK's dependence on fossil gas, alongside deliberate removal of support for home insulation, leaving our homes drafty and expensive to heat.
But Rishi Sunak has consistently blocked any meaningful investment in home insulation. Instead he has gone down the most dangerous route possible by incentivising fossil fuel extraction. For every pound invested in UK oil and gas, corporations can claim 91 pence tax relief on the new 'windfall tax'. How about investment in renewables for long term secure (and cheap!) energy? No tax relief for that, this is a reward for dirty energy only.
The Chancellor was forced into a U-turn on a windfall tax, so we can see that people power works. Now we need to demand better. His plan would take money from oil and gas companies and returning it straight to their pockets. By refusing to reverse benefit cuts or invest in insulation or renewables to lower bills, families are left vulnerable.
With climate breakdown accelerating, and dependence on volatile fossil fuels sending energy bills soaring, now is definitely not the time to double down on oil and gas extraction.
Join us to discuss the fights against new fossil fuel extraction - in the North Sea and onshore. We’ll also hear from campaigners against other worrying developments that may go under the radar, that even claim to be 'green', like burning wood for energy. And talk about the real solutions: how we can shift away from fossil fuels and create climate jobs by insulating houses and developing renewable energy. How can we as climate campaigners best stand with those who have been forced (further) into poverty by the current crisis.
Everyone interested in climate campaigning welcome!
With climate breakdown accelerating, and dependence on volatile fossil fuels sending energy bills soaring, now is definitely not the time to double down on oil and gas extraction - but it seems the government is going to ignore the experts and do that anyway.
Join us to discuss the fights against new fossil fuel extraction - in the North Sea and onshore. We’ll also hear from campaigners against other worrying developments that may go under the radar, that even claim to be 'green', like burning wood for energy. And talk about the real solutions: how we can shift away from fossil fuels and create climate jobs by insulating houses and developing renewable energy. How can we as climate campaigners best stand with those who have been forced (further) into poverty by the current crisis.
Speakers
Tina Rothery, anti-fracking Nana
Gabriel Davalos, Stop Cambo
Suzanne Jeffery, chair, Campaign against Climate Change
Wolfgang Kuchler, co-author of the buildings chapter in 'Climate Jobs: Building a workforce for the climate emergency'
On Saturday 15th January, we'll be holding both the Campaign against Climate Change AGM and also our trade union group AGM. Both will be online. Our supporters are welcome to attend both or just one.
10.00-11.10: Campaign against Climate Change AGM. As well as the formal business, we'll be looking forward from COP26, with open discussion on how we can build on the momentum of coalition work in local and national campaigning, and in global solidarity.
As part of the AGM, we will be electing members of the steering group of the campaign. The steering group meets around 5 times a year and is responsible for the strategic direction and financial management of the Campaign against Climate Change. Steering group members should support the general approach of the campaign, represent across the group as a whole a diversity of experience, skills and interests and have enough time to be able to contribute some practical help between meetings.
If you wish to stand for the campaign's steering group, or one of the officer positions (Chair, Treasurer or Secretary) you will need to send your name, with the names of your proposer and seconder (who should also be campaign members) to claire@campaigncc.org by 12th January. Any members who are interested in joining the steering group and would like to know more about what is involved can also send an email for an informal chat.
Any motions submitted (they should be brief) also need a proposer and seconder and should be submitted by the same deadline.
