EU biofuel targets will cost £100bn without reducing emissions

Motorists across Europe are set to pay an additional £15bn a year for petrol and diesel as a result of EU biofuel targets that will not reduce climate change emissions, says new research published today...

UK government loses appeal over 'unlawful' solar cuts

Friends of the Earth Scotland welcomed The Court of Appeal's unanimous rejection today (Wednesday 25 January 2012) of the UK government's attempt to overturn a High Court ruling stating that its plans to rush through sudden cuts to solar tariff payments were illegal....

European Commission launches energy roadmap to 2050

Friends of the Earth Scotland today (Thursday 15 December 2011) responded to the release by the European Commission (EC) of its Energy Roadmap 2050 document....

Renewables not to blame for household energy bill increases

Friends of the Earth Scotland has today (Thursday 15 December 2011) responded to the release of a new report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which states that household energy bill increases are being driven by the rising cost of wholesale gas and not the cost of establishing renewable energy technologies....

Friends of the Earth Scotland response to renewable energy reports

Commenting on the release of reports on renewable energy from Reform Scotland and the Adam Smith Institute today (12 December 2012), Stan Blackley, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

New report casts doubt on Forth Energy biomass plans

A report published today (7 December 2011) by the UK Government's climate change advisers, the influential UK Committee on Climate Change, has cast further doubt over the viability of Forth Energy's proposals for large-scale biomass plants in Leith, Grangemouth, Dundee and Rosyth....

Scottish Government's hypocritical support for more oil drilling threatens transition to low carbon economy

Environmentalists have challenged the Scottish Government's support for continued and expanded oil exploration ahead of a Scottish Parliamentary debate today (17 November 2011)....

Fossil fuel levy is a long time coming

Commenting on the release of £103 million from the Fossil Fuel Levy, Francis Stuart, Friends of the Earth Scotland Policy Officer, said:...

Victims of mining, oil and gas remembered 16 years after executions

A report exposing the murders of human rights and environmental activists all over the world is published today (10 November 2011) by Friends of the Earth International, on the anniversary of the judicial execution of Nigerian environmental activist Ken Saro Wiwa....

North Ayrshire Council object to Hunterston Coal plans

North Ayrshire councillors have today (Wednesday 9 November) voted to object to plans for a major new coal-fired power station at Hunterston. The decision means that Scottish Ministers will now have to hold a public inquiry before they can make a final decision on whether or not to proceed with the project proposed by Peel Energy....

Friends of the Earth Scotland cautiously welcomes Peterhead CCS deal

Commenting to the news today (Wednesday 9 November 2011) that Scottish and Southern Energy and Shell UK Limited have joined forces to develop a Carbon Capture and Storage project at SSE's gas-fired power station in Peterhead, Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive Stan Blackley said:...

Report linking renewables to fuel poverty is 'ill-founded'

Commenting on a Institute of Mechanical Engineers report referred to during First Ministers questions today (3 November 2011), Francis Stuart, Friends of the Earth Scotland Policy Officer, said:...

Call on Scottish Government to ban fracking after process found to cause Blackpool earth tremors

Environmental campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to ban a controversial technique for extracting gas deep underground after an industry report concluded it was the "highly probable" cause of earth tremors in Lancashire earlier this year....

Government to cut solar energy support

Commenting on the news today (31 October 2011) that the UK Government plans to cut incentives for household solar electricity production, Friends of the Earth Scotland's chief executive, Stan Blackley, said:...

If not CCS at Longannet, then where?

In response to the news that the plans to retrofit CCS at Longannet have been scrapped, Juliet Swann, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

More than 20,000 say no to Hunterston

Damaging North Ayrshire proposal receives record number of objections....

Household energy costs up £300 by 2020 - new report

Households in the UK could face extra costs of around £300 per year as the bill for using fossil fuels to generate electricity spirals ever higher, a new report from Friends of the Earth reveals today (Monday 17 October 2011)....

'Big Six' energy firms' profits attacked

Responding to news from Ofgem today (Friday 14 October 2011) revealing that the profit margin for the 'Big Six' energy firms has risen to £125 per customer per year, Stan Blackley, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

Destruction of nationally important wildlife site not open to challenge

Broad coalition of organisations and nearly 20,000 individuals urge Scottish Minsters to refuse permission for coal plant....

'Girl Band' Protest at Royal Bank of Scotland sponsorship of low carbon conference

A 'girl band' of environmental activists dressed as 'oily bankers' protested outside the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) sponsored Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference (1) in Edinburgh this morning (Tuesday 27 September 2011)....

Cross-party MSPs join rally to move Earth beyond unsustainable energy

Friends of the Earth Scotland and Biofuelwatch joint news release WHEN: Saturday 24 September 2011 at 12pm. WHERE: Outside City Chambers on the Royal Mile, moving to rally at Holyrood....

Fines won't make Shell change its ways

Commenting on the announcement that the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is to investigate the causes of the current oil spill from Shell’s Gannet Alpha platform, and that DECC may notify the Scottish Procurator Fiscal who will take a decision on further action, including the potential prosecution of Shell, Stan Blackley, Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

Second North Sea oil leak discovered

Responding to news that a second oil leak has been discovered from an offshore platform in the North Sea, Per Fischer, Communications Officer at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

Shell has a responsibility to keep the public informed

Commenting on news that the current North Sea oil spill may now be the largest in a decade, Juliet Swann, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

North Sea oil spil deeply disturbing

Responding to news that Shell has reported an oil spill at its Gannet Alpha platform about 180 km from Aberdeen close to the UK shore at the North Sea, Juliet Swann, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

Electricity Market Reforms not up to the job

Friends of the Earth Scotland today (Tuesday 12 July 2011) responded to the UK coalition Government's proposals for reforming the electricity market. ...

Renewable routemap: right direction, still a long way to go

Commenting on the Scottish Government's 2020 renewable energy routemap published today (30 June), Friends of the Earth Scotland Policy and Parliamentary Officer Francis Stuart said: ...

Friends of the Earth Scotland attacks aviation biofuels greenwash

Friends of the Earth Scotland today (20 June 2011) criticised plans by European airlines to fuel aeroplanes with biofuels, claiming that these plans are greenwash, that they are an attempt by the aviation industry to continue business as usual, and that they fly in the face of the need to tackle climate change. ...

Three months since beginning-of-the-end for nuclear power

Today (11 June 2011) marks three months since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, and people all over the world will mark that anniversary by protesting against nuclear power. ...

Oil tax breaks gambling with Scotland's environment

Commenting on today's news that First Minister, Alex Salmond, is proposing to change how North Sea oil and gas companies are taxed, Stan Blackley, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: ...

Scottish renewables target is completely achieveable

Friends of the Earth Scotland responded to today's speech (2 June) in the Scottish Parliament by Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism. ...

Forth Energy green claims blown apart by American forestry groups

Forth Energy's green claims for their proposed biomass plants have again come under fire after the full extent of a to-and-fro letter battle between expert American forestry groups and the company became clear. ...

German halt to nuclear power is the right decision

Responding to today's announcement by Mike Weir of the SNP, that Scotland is well placed to lead the world in renewable energy, and following the German Government's decision to close its nuclear power plants, Stan Blackley, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: ...

'Spoof' apology from Shell highlights human rights abuses

New report exposes Shell involvement in corruption, slavery and environmental destruction on five continents...

Coalition plan for nuclear subsidies exposed

UK government plans to sneak a new nuclear subsidy through the backdoor have been exposed in a report published today (16 May 2011) by the influential Energy and Climate Change Committee. ...

First nations protest tar sands investment at RBS AGM

* New research shows that, since public bail-out in 2008, RBS has raised more than £5.6bn for companies involved in controversial Canadian tar sands projects, £2.2bn of which was in the last twelve months ...

American groups call on Scottish Government to reject biomass plans

A coalition of American environmental and forestry groups have accused a company behind plans to source North American wood for biomass power stations in Scotland of 'greenwash' in a letter to the Scottish Government....

Friends of the Earth Scotland welcomes plans for tidal project in Sound of Islay

Commenting on the Scottish Government's approval of plans for the world's largest tidal energy project, to be built in Sound of Islay, Friends of the Earth Scotland campaigner Beth Stratford said: ...

Nuclear explosion shows why renewables must be our energy future

As the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan are followed by potential nuclear meltdown, Juliet Swann, Head of Projects and Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

Evaluation of government energy schemes needed

Commenting on the announcement that an underspend in the Energy budget is being directed towards householders wishing to install green energy measures, Juliet Swann, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:...

Fuel Poverty Forum chair resigns

The independent chair of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum, Graham Blount, has resigned in protest at the Scottish Government's lack of consultation with the Forum. ...

What price a secure energy system?

Renewables industry representatives, academic experts, government officials and NGOs will gather today (28 February) to debate how Scotland can meet more than our own energy demands from renewables by 2030. ...

Wind turbines are good use of poor forestry land

Commenting on news today (21 February) that SNP is about to announce windfarms on forestry land, Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said: ...

Ayrshire Power should not qualify for EU funding pot

Commenting on the announcement that Ayrshire Power is in the running for EU 'New Entrants Reserve' funding that could be directed towards innovative renewables...

Scotland must lead the way for EU energy saving targets

Campaigners across Europe urge EU leaders to commit to binding energy saving targets, which will create jobs, slash household bills and cut the need for energy imports. ...

Hunterston roadshow hits Brodick

Arran residents encouraged to have their say on coal-fired power plans ...

Coal and nuclear in Scotland could be phased out by 2030

Scotland could phase out all conventional thermal power by 2030, maintain a secure electricity supply and generate revenue from renewable exports, according to new research by one of the world's leading energy consultants, Garrad Hassan. ...

Green Energy Centre investment step towards 100% renewables

Commenting on today's announcement (3 December) that Mitsubishi is investing £100m in a green energy centre in Scotland, Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:"Scotland's amazing potential for renewable energy will only be realised with investment in the development and deployment of the technologies. This investment from Mitsubishi is a good step towards Scotland realising the goal of delivering 100% of our electricity from renewable sources....

Hunterston coal fired power station not needed

New Scottish Government report concedes that less 'thermal power' will be needed that previously assumed. ...

Low carbon economy must be backed by 'just transition'

Commenting on the Scottish Government's Low Carbon economic strategy published today (15 November), Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said: ...

EU biofuels driving environmental destruction

Plans to increase the use of biofuels in Europe over the next ten years will require an area up to twice the size of Belgium of new land and make climate change worse, a new study reveals today....

Friends of the Earth Scotland welcomes Labour's continued opposition to Hunterston coal proposal

Commenting on Scottish Labour's announcement today (31 October) on coal power, Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:"Scotland needs neither new nor replacement fossil fired or nuclear power stations, even if electricity demand grows to fuel electric vehicles and heating. ...

Coalition offer on Fossil Fuel Levy a "Faustian pact", says Friends of the Earth Scotland

Today the Scottish Government has rejected Chancellor Osborne's proposal regarding the Fossil Fuel Levy announced in last week's Comprehensive Spending Review....

Campaigners claim 'irrefutable case' for a Green Investment Bank in Scotland

In advance of the UK Government spending review, Friends of the Earth Scotland today (15 October) called for the protection of funds for key green development initiatives, and the creation of a strong Green Investment Bank headquartered in Edinburgh....

Overdue energy efficiency plan must be matched with increased funding

 Environmental groups welcome the Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Scotland published today (6 October) by the Scottish Government. ...

Scotland can do better: 100% renewable electricity by 2020

Welcoming today's announcement by the Scottish Government that Scotland's target for renewable electricity generation is to be raised to 80% of Scottish demand by 2020, Friends of the Earth Scotland said Scotland could do even better. ...

First Nation Chief visits Edinburgh to warn against tar sands oil rush

Chief Al Lameman of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation speaks about the oil-driven environmental disaster in Canada at an event in Edinburgh....

Company director to run half-marathon in 'Winnie' costume to raise funds for wind

John Everett, 53, will be running his 20th Great North Run, this time in a mascot windmill costume raising funds for Friends of the Earth Scotland. ...

Biofuels for Europe driving land grabbing in Africa

The amount of land being taken in Africa to meet Europe's increasing demand for biofuels is underestimated and out of control, new investigations by Friends of the Earth reveal today. ...

Hunterston coal threatens communities at home and abroad

Campaigners have slammed Ayrshire Power on the day they lodge a formal application for what would be the UK's first coal power station to be built since 1974....

Hunterston plans out of step with fossil free future

With news that Ayrshire Power is to formally submit their application (2 June) to build a coal fired power station at Hunterston, Friends of the Earth Scotland continue to express concern that this development is unnecessary, financially irresponsible and unethical....

Replacement power station at Cockenzie not necessary

East Lothian Council will hold a "special meeting" today (20 April) to discuss Scottish Power's planning application to the Scottish Government to redevelop Cockenzie’s power station to be fired by gas. ...

EU biofuel policy unsustainable new report shows

New research released by the European Commission confirms that Europe's demand for biofuels is likely to contribute to climate change and harm the environment....

Scotland must ride a renewable wave, not dig a fossil grave

Friends of the Earth Scotland warmly welcomes the Scottish Government's announcement of licences to generate marine renewable energy from wave and tidal off Scotland's coast....

New coal at Hunterston sends wrong message about Scotland's energy future

Ayrshire Power have indicated that they plan to submit an application today (15 March) for the consent required to build a coal-fired power station at Hunterston. ...

RBS invested billions in Canada's 'blood oil'

RBS has been involved in providing loans worth nearly £5bn in the last three years to companies carrying out highly controversial 'tar sands' mining in Canada....

Five years left to reach a clean, green energy future

A report released today (10 February) by the UK industry taskforce on peak oil suggests the peak in global oil production will occur within five years. ...

Budget - Friends of the Earth Scotland comment

Commenting on the Scottish Government's Budget, Francis Stuart, Friends of the Earth Scotland Parliamentary Officer, said:"We welcome the additional £10m for a universal area-based home insulation scheme, a policy we first called for back in 2008."While a significant step forward, the numbers still fall substantially short of what is needed to create jobs, tackle fuel poverty and meet Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets....

Two out of three Scots want more ambitious green electricity scheme

Two thirds of Scots don't think the government's plan for local renewable energy schemes is ambitious enough, and three out of four are prepared to pay extra to see it happen, a survey reveals today....

Energy efficiency the priority but micro-renewables have role to play

"A step change in building energy efficiency is needed, both for new and existing buildings," Duncan McLaren, Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive, said in response to a report published today by the Royal Academy of Engineering (20 January)....

New Scottish coal policy could be bolder - Friends of the Earth Scotland comment

No new coal-fired power stations will be built in Scotland unless they demonstrate carbon capture and storage at a commercial scale - on at least 300MW of capacity....

Fuel poverty and climate change can and should be linked

In a forest of targets, we must be sure to see the wood and the trees. The Scottish Government keep setting targets for different sectors that in fact are far from mutually exclusive and must be more joined up. ...

Energy saving is good for the economy ­- Friends of the Earth Scotland comment

Energy saving and other environmental measures in Scotland could create lotsmore than the 10,000 new jobs mentioned in a study released today by ACE,the Association for the Conservation of Energy....

Green Tax Reform ‘good for Scotland’

Raising green taxes to plug the growing deficit in public finances - instead of conventional taxes - would create several hundred thousand additional jobs in the UK, according to a new report from the UK Green Fiscal Commission [1]. Many of these jobs would be created in Scotland....

Danish energy giant performs a U-turn on coal station in Scotland

Scottish campaigners greeted with delight the news that Danish energy giant Dong Energy had dropped plans to develop new coal fired power stations at Hunterston in Ayrshire, and also in Germany....

Energy efficiency plans must be backed by hard cash

Friends of the Earth Scotland today welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the Energy Efficiency Action Plan (Thursday 7 October), and called for increased funding and effective regulation to cut energy use and create jobs....

Scotland's energy future can be renewable

The author of an influential report on how Scotland’s future energy needs can be met will address a Parliamentary cross party group....

Scottish Marine Energy Road Map

Commenting on the release of the Scottish Marine Energy Road Map today, Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland said:"With enthusiastic support for marine renewables as well as wind power, research has shown that Scotland could generate over 140% of its electricity requirements from renewables by 2030, eliminating the need for new conventional coal or nuclear power plants. ...

New report shows a cleaner, greener energy future for Scotland is possible

A new report shows for the first time that a truly sustainable energy future is achievable for Scotland, meeting climate change, renewable energy and energy saving targets and creating new economic opportunities while protecting sensitive environments and maintaining security of supply....

Carbon dinosaur visits Longannet as MSPs urge Scottish Government to ‘clean up’ energy supply

Friends of the Earth Scotland and World Development Movement took their campaign to Scotland’s largest coal fired power station, as MSPs released a report [1] calling on the Scottish Government to invest in cleaner energy supplies.The 10m high inflatable dinosaur made a surprise visit to Longannet power station in Fife as part of the ‘No More Carbon Dinosaurs’ campaign [2] to highlight the urgent need to reduce our dependence on unabated fossil fuels such as coal....

Europe's Biggest Onshore Windfarms Opens

Commenting on the opening today of Europe's biggest onshore wind farm - Whitelee Wind Farm in East Renfrewshire, Scotland - Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren said: “We are delighted that Scotland is now home to Europe’s biggest onshore wind farm – Whitelee will power tens of thousands of homes. “More projects like this are needed – on and offshore – to slash Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions and create thousands of green jobs. ...

First Minister Carbon Capture & Storage Announcement - FoES Comment

Responding to the First Minister’s statement on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) this morning, Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:“The First Minister has today taken an important step forward in heralding a move away from unabated coal power by supporting technology tocapture CO2 emissions. His declaration that the Scottish Government's ambition is 'to become a world leader in reducing harmful emissions andproducing clean, green energy as part of our contribution to tackling climate change' is very welcome....

Statement on Miliband's coal announcement

Responding to Ed Miliband's statement to Parliament this morning, Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:...

Budget response: Extra warm homes cash dwarfed by fuel poverty crisis

The promised additional £15 million on home energy efficiency announced today forms a first tentative step towards solving Scotland’s fuel poverty crisis. However, we are concerned that this funding may be threatened by the use of a discredited means-testing model. It is shocking that – in the middle of the coldest winter for many years – most MSPs still do not seem to appreciate the importance of fully funding a Scotland-wide home energy efficiency scheme, including support for energy audits, insulation and appropriate microrenewables. ...

Economy, Energy and Tourism committee report on National Planning Framework - FoES comment

We are particularly encouraged by its recommendation that the Scottish Government considers including a nationwide energy demand reduction, efficiency and renewable heat initiative as a national development. Such a programme would create jobs, reduce fuel poverty, and reduce energy demand, reducing the need for additional generating capacity....

Comment: Swinney green jobs announcement

Commenting on John Swinney's speech today at the RSPB's Scotland's Natural Wealth conference, Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:"These welcome proposals for green jobs need a green economic stimulus to deliver them. Lord Nicholas Stern has suggested 0.8% of GDP - equivalent to £650m for Scotland - is urgently needed. When John Swinney presents the revised Scottish budget it must include a substantial investment in home energy improvements as previously supported by the Parliament." [1]ENDS...

Giant carbon dinosaur invades Edinburgh

A 10 metre tall inflatable carbon dinosaur will invade Edinburgh's Bristo Square on Saturday 31 January 2009, as part of a series of stunts across Scotland [1]. The events, which range from giant footprints to a great wall of carbon aim to illustrate Scotland's contribution to climate change....

Robin Harper wins MSP home energy challenge

Friends of the Earth Scotland announced today that Robin Harper MSP was the winner of their MSP Home Energy Challenge. He achieved the greatest home carbon reduction during 2008 of all five contestants taking part in the challenge. The result was announced at an awards ceremony in the Scottish Parliament this evening. The prize, £500 for the MSP’s chosen charity, will go to Childline....

Winner of MSP Home Energy Challenge to be announced

MSPs who have been competing in a challenge to make their homes more climate friendly will find out just how green they are when the winner is announced on Wednesday.Five MSPs, including former First Minister Jack McConnell and Green Party leader Robin Harper, signed up to Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Home Energy Challenge in late 2007. Highlands MSPs Rob Gibson (SNP) and Mary Scanlon (Conservative) along with Jim Hume (Lib Dem) from the South of Scotland also took part in the contest....

The choice is not nuclear or coal

Commenting on an editorial in The Herald 30 March, Friends of the Earth Energy and Finance Campaigner Beth Stratford said: ...