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News and Features

Fracking is a dirty word in Eccles


news release

Manchester Friends of the Earth has called on Salford Council to swear that it would not allow fracking operations in Barton Moss and across Salford.  Local residents joined campaigners to demand that the council declare itself frack-free ahead of a …

No to Fracking

MEPs recognise dangers of fracking


news release

European politicians recognised the specific environmental, health and social impacts of fracking today, according to Friends of the Earth Europe. For the first time, and as a result of a vote in the European Parliament today, some of the dangers …

No to Fracking

Communities won't take new shale gas wells sitting quietly


news release

Commenting on Energy Minister Michael Fallon’s assertion today (Wednesday 2 October 2013) that around 40 shale gas wells could be drilled in the next couple of years, Friends of the Earth’s Energy Campaigner Tony Bosworth said;  “From the ‘desolate’ north …

Call to reject Fracking at Conservative Conference, Manchester


news release

Campaigners representing areas affected by fracking will be protesting outside the Conservative party conference on Monday morning (9am, 30 September) ahead of the key speech by Chancellor George Osborne, to call on the Conservative party to reject risky fracking. The …

Cash-strapped households will welcome temporary energy freeze


news release

Commenting on the debate surrounding Ed Miliband’s pledge to freeze energy bills, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: “Households will welcome any help they can get with rising fuel bills and are mistrustful of the energy …

Park(ing) Day 20th Sept 2013 130

PARK(ing) Day: Plant an Idea – Imagine if we had more green space in our City.


news release

On Friday 20th September, in Manchester City Centre, Manchester Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join with citizens in cities around the world who will be transforming metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as …

Vince Cable undermines his support for low carbon economy


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Commenting on Vince Cable’s speech at the Liberal Democrat annual conference today, Friends of the Earth’s Economics Campaigner David Powell said: “Vince Cable is right to slam assaults on renewable energy as ‘ludicrous’ – the CBI have been crystal clear …

Liberal Democrat N-power support punches hole in green credentials


news release

Commenting on Liberal Democrat backing for nuclear power at its annual conference today, Friends of the Earth’s Policy and Campaigns Director Craig Bennett said: “Backing for nuclear power punches a huge hole in the Liberal Democrats fast-sinking green credibility.

Plastic bag charge welcome, but tougher green action urgently required


news release

Commenting on plans to introduce a 5p charge for plastic bags in England, due to be unveiled later today by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at the Lib Dem annual conference, Friends of the Earth’s Policy and Campaigns Director, Craig …

Shale Gas: IGas Energy prepares to drill near Manchester


news release

Reacting to news today (Thursday 12 September 2013) that IGas Energy is planning to drill a well at Barton, near Irlam in Greater Manchester, to test the shale gas potential, Friends of the Earth’s North West Campaigner Helen Rimmer said:  …

MEPs miss opportunity on biofuels vote


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Reacting to the European Parliament’s plenary vote on biofuels today (Wednesday 11 September 2013), Friends of the Earth Biofuels Campaigner Kenneth Richter said: “MEPs have missed a historic opportunity fix a biofuel policy that has led to soaring food prices, …

Cuadrilla suspends drilling following noise breaches


news release

Reacting to news that Cuadrilla has been forced to suspend drilling near the West Sussex village of Balcombe because of noise limit breaches, Friends of the Earth’s South East Regional Campaigner, Brenda Pollack, said: “With such intense national focus on …

Biodiversity 'compensation' proposals "a licence to trash nature"


news release

Friends of the Earth say new plans to ‘offset’ the destruction of wildlife by compensating with new green spaces, announced by the Government today (Thursday 5 September 2013), are a license to trash nature.

No to Fracking

West Sussex County Council urged to clarify if Cuadrilla drilling breaches planning permission


news release

Friends of the Earth has written to West Sussex County Council following concerns that fracking firm Cuadrilla may be drilling near Balcombe in breach of its existing planning permission, the environment charity said today (Thursday 5 September 2013).

Shale: Govt aims to reform planning rules as Cuadrilla forced to withdraw drilling application


news release

Government plans to end people’s right to be notified about plans to drill for gas and oil beneath their homes and land, have been slammed today (3 September 2013) by Friends of the Earth.  The Department for Communities and Local …

CBI call for tougher Government action on energy efficiency welcomed


news release

Welcoming CBI’s call today (Wednesday 28 August 2013) for a major push on energy efficiency, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: “With rocketing fuel prices, an impending climate crisis and mounting concerns about energy security it’s …

EU Commission can't afford to gamble with bees future


news release

Responding to Syngenta’s legal challenge to the European Commission’s decision to suspend the use of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam on bee attractive crops, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:  “These restrictions are completely justified. 

No to Fracking

Full shale production at Balcombe unlikely after local opposition


news release

Commenting on reports today (Wednesday 14 August 2013) that Cuadrilla has said its exploration site at Balcombe in West Sussex is “unlikely” to become a full production location in the future, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton …

Manchester MP and Councillors support Bee campaign at Bee Tea


news release

A Manchester MP and members of Manchester City Council joined Friends of the Earth for a Bee Tea at the urban bee-friendly garden created for the Dig the City event. [1]

Durkan: yes to fracking at present would be reckless


news release

Responding to Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister’s comments today (Tuesday 13 August 2013) that agreeing to fracking at present would be reckless and irresponsible, Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland Campaigner Declan Allison said: “Mr Durkan’s measured comments are in stark …

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