Did you know that fossil fuels are still being subsidised by our government with our tax?
On June 6th, the G7 – the seven countries who represent half the world’s economic output – will meet in Ottawa. We need to send them a strong message.
In 2016 the G7 agreed to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025.
CCL is part of the global task force of civil society organisations now calling for that agreement to be honoured – and CCL UK can join the call, by these actions:
Letter campaign to end subsidies
Write to the Prime Minister or her Sherpa (personal representative) Peter Boehm (and email a copy to your MP) to deliver this message to the G7 Summit:
Fossil fuels are a major source of carbon dioxide and other pollutants contributing to climate change and air pollution. Following its commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, the G7 must now present a detailed roadmap on how G7 members intend to meet this commitment and accelerate phase-out timelines.
Say how much this means to you personally, and its importance in halting climate change.
NB: Because it’s a web form, you’re only allowed 1,000 characters.
Remember to copy your letter to [email protected].
Postcard Campaign
Use pre-written postcards addressed to the Prime Minister or Peter Boehm, and ask friends/family/people on the street to sign them then post them, alerting local press, if possible for added publicity.
More information
You may have heard that in 2017, for the first time, more than half of the UK’s electricity came from low-carbon sources.
Yet fossil fuels are still being massively subsidised (though according to the Government’s own measurement criteria, the UK does not subsidise fossil fuels). Files for the years 2010-2014, leaked accidentally last year to satirical magazine Private Eye, showed that UK Export Finance, a Government agency, had spent £4.8 bn underwriting loans and insurance for fossil fuel projects overseas – supporting dirty projects in those countries most in need of green expertise.
Some £6.9bn in support was provided to oil, gas and coal companies under an export scheme since 2000, according to an analysis of the files by Greenpeace and the magazine. Most of that, some £4.8bn, was committed since 2010 when the Conservatives came to power, initially in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.