Friends of the Earth Cardiff Cyfeillion y Ddaear Caerdydd

March in London demanding action on climate change.

This action is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part.

The Government is currently deciding how much we should cut our climate changing emissions by 2020. It is crucial that we make big cuts, immediately, if we are to avoid dangerous climate change.

Meeting the challenge

The Committee on Climate Change, which was set up to advise the Government, has produced two options for a 2020 target:

• An Interim target of a 34 per cent cut by 2020; or
• An Intended target of a 42 per cent cut by 2020.

The weak interim target would be used before a global climate change deal is agreed. The much stronger intended target would be adopted following a global deal on climate change.

But really there is no choice. We must choose the intended target because it is:

• What the science demands. A cut of at least 40 per cent is needed by 2020 says the Tyndall Centre for Climate Study.
• It means less pain later. Making small cuts now means harder targets in future.
• A clean green future instead of dirty coal and runway expansions.

Putting our house in order

The Committee also suggests that if we adopt the 42 per cent target we can ‘buy' some of these cuts from other countries. This is done through a mechanism called carbon trading. But this is a loop-hole that allows developed countries to duck their historical responsibilities for cutting their own emissions.

Making the cuts in this country would have other benefits including:

• Cutting energy bills. A home insulation programme would reduce fuel poverty and cut emissions.
• Create thousands of green jobs. It would help tackle the recession and make Britain a world leader in low carbon technologies.
• Create energy security. It would use Britain's abundant renewable energy resources.

Take action

Please ask your MP to support the immediate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions within the UK by 42 per cent by 2020.