The story so far

The Get Serious About CO2 campaign launched in June 2009 with a call for every council to do its bit to tackle climate change.

Friends of the Earth groups have been rallying communities behind action on climate in 70 council areas across England and Wales.

They have held events, signed people up on the street, and reached out to diverse sections of society.

Get serious about CO2

And now they are taking people's demand for change to where it matters - their council.

Across the country we're calling on councils to cut their CO2 by at least 40 per cent by 2020 and produce a climate change action plan.

Find out more about what councils can do >

A serious local movement builds

So far, Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Haringey, Harrogate, Harrow, Islington, Leeds, Manchester, Plymouth, Suffolk and York councils have signed up to this ambitious target.

More are expected to follow.

Read all about the local campaigns >

Councils, both rural and urban, from across the political spectrum have now got on board.

A serious step forward

And we've been campaigning nationally too.

At the end of January, Secretary of State for Local Government, John Denham MP, announced a pilot project of Local Carbon Frameworks.

These pilots are a really good step along the way to introducing a system like the Local Carbon Budgets we are calling for.

I congratulate Friends of the Earth on their campaign which has helped build pressure from the grassroots upwards

John Denham MP

Read the full story >

Many of the pilots are in areas where Friends of Earth groups have been working with their council - showing just how influential grassroots action can be.

But more campaigning is needed to persuade the Government to adopt Local Carbon Budgets.

Ask your MP for Local Carbon Budgets >

They would make sure all councils reduce their carbon emissions to what climate science says we need.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are yet to decide their policy on Local Carbon Budgets.

Serious support

Local action by councils is vital to tackle climate change.

And communities and councils working together to act on climate will bring benefits for everyone.

The Local Government Association represents councils in England and Wales.

Tackling climate change must be at the centre of local government's vision for their communities...it is the single priority which overrides all others

Local Government Association's climate change commission 2007

Local politicians start to wave the flag

Local politicians of all stripes are starting to recognise the crucial role of councils in tackling climate change.

Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone backed our campaign at its launch last year.

See what Ken says about our campaign >

Paul Bettison is former chairman of the Environment Board at the Local Government Association.

The aims of the campaign are very good indeed - councils certainly need to be in the centre and the forefront in the fight to reduce carbon.

Conservative councillor Paul Bettison

Leader of Kirklees Council Mehboob Khan is on board too.

We fully support the campaign. We believe that the target of councils reducing carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2020 is realistic and achievable.

Labour councillor Mehboob Khan

While the Leader of Camden Council said:

Councils have a vital role to play in protecting the environment.

Liberal Democrat councillor Keith Moffat

The evidence grows

Throughout the campaign we've built a strong case for action.

We're worked with leading academics, like Professor Tony Travers, on where councils can get the money for action from. With Carbon Descent we've modelled how carbon emissions can come down.

We've worked with experts and engaged with stakeholders to show that:

council action on climate change is vital to meet the UK's climate change targets.
all types of councils can cut their emissions by 40 percent by 2020.
local action on climate benefits communities.

Read our briefings and reports >

Get Involved

Our campaign is working. But much more action is still needed.

Call for every council to do its bit on climate change >

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