Climate change

Climate change is the greatest crisis facing humanity. Whilst rich countries are responsible for most of the emissions pumped into the atmosphere it is the poorest, most marginalised communities in the world that will be hit the hardest by climate change. Millions are at threat from famine, disease, drought, flooding and ultimately death.

But this disaster can be avoided and we can all play an important part.

WDM is calling on the UK government to take action to reduce the UK’s emissions and show the rest of the world that it can be done.

It is time to stop climate injustice.

Take action on climate change.

Campaign Success
Climate Change Bill Becomes Law – The Verdict
After months of committed campaigning by WDM supporters, the UK’s historic climate change bill has completed its journey through parliament and will now become law.

WDM is delighted at the inclusion of three of WDMs main demands: a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050; annual reduction targets; and inclusion of international aviation and shipping emissions.

The bill has now become an Act, setting the targets into law. The strength of the bill is testament to role of all those who took action, so congratulations to all those who sent postcards, emails and letters to the government over the past year.

Unfortunately, the Act contains one loophole; targets can be met by buying carbon credits from overseas rather than reducing emissions in the UK, particularly in sectors such as electricity and aviation. WDM will continue to campaign against new coal power stations and airport runways to ensure that the UK is not able to use this loop hole, and instead fulfil its commitment to cut emissions within the UK.

Corporate Lobbying Causes U-turn on Aviation Tax
In his pre-budget report in November, Chancellor Alistair Darling announced a u-turn on his decision to introduce a new tax on flights. The tax was due to replace air passenger duty. By taxing planes rather than passengers, the scrapped change would have made taxes on flying more closely related to carbon emissions, and so have a greater effect at limiting the climate impact of aviation.

The Chancellor’s decision was taken after fierce lobbying from specific elements of the aviation industry, such as air-freight, who will now continue to pay no aviation taxes at all. The aviation industry will continue to pay no tax on fuel or VAT; an effective subsidy from British taxpayers of £10 billion a year. WDM have expressed disappointment at this u-turn, which has been picked up in the Guardian, Independent and The Telegraph