Our Work
As the only environmental group affiliated to the Labour Party, we take a much more political perspective than other environmental NGOs. Our work focuses around:
- Helping Labour develop a compelling red/green vision and policies
- Adding environmental perspective to wider policy discussions within the Labour party
- Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to help create the political space for bold environmental policies
- Creating a network of red-green members in the Labour Party and trade unions and mobilising red-green voters
Events | Campaigns | Publications
Current Projects
Unleashing the power of communities
While there has been considerable focus on the role of individual action in tackling climate change, there is growing evidence that working together as a community can have even greater impact. Importantly, such collective action also appears to produce significant spin-off benefits that increase the quality of participants’ lives too. We are currently working with Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to consider the added impact that community action can bring to tackling environmental problems.To find out more, please contact Melanie Smallman
Carbon Budgets
In December 2008 the Committee on Climate Change will provide advice on the first three Carbon Budgets outlining when and how these cuts should be made in the next 15 years. SERA believes that meeting the Carbon Budgets should focus on reducing domestic emissions rather than buying carbon credits from abroad by pro-actively investing in jobs in green industries. To encourage debate and thinking in this area, we are planning a series of round-table discussions in early 2009.To find out more, please contact Mike Smith.
The Need for Speed – SERA’s campaign for High Speed Rail Network
Promising to link Leeds to London is all very well, but if we’re serious about curbing short-haul flights, the UK needs a high-speed rail network to link all parts of Britain together. To find out more, please contact Melanie Smallman
Fuel Poverty
As the UK faces record energy bills this winter, behind the headlines and stories of fuel poverty is Britain’s aging energy infrastructure and continued addiction to fossil fuels. SERA is calling for the Government to put at the centre of the next manifesto, a radical plan to break our dependence on oil.Fuel poverty: Ending Waste and Investing in the Future (summary)Fuel poverty: Ending Waste and Investing in the Future (full document)
The Wind Factor
David Cameron talks a good game when it comes to climate change – he even has a wind-turbine on his roof. But on the ground conservative-run councils are making it almost impossible for the UK to meet its renewable targets by refusing planning permission to 80% of wind farm applications.Download The Wind Factor 2008
Progressive Tests for the Environment
In 2009, the UK government will take part in the UN climate change negotiations in Copenhagen. These negotiations will agree the next phase of targets and mechanisms for global carbon emission reductions. As well as being significant for the environment, these agreements will have significant effects on social justice. As the only green group with the dual focus of social justice and environmental justice, we are working to raise the profile of both agendas in the run up to Copenhagen, and to develop a series of progressive tests to judge the success of the negotiations.To find out more, please contact Melanie Smallman.
Green Vote
Environmental issues are set to play a significant role in the next general election; while the focus for the majority of the population is likely to be on the economy, under our first past the post electoral system, the outcome of a general elections will be determined by a much smaller number of voters in marginal constituencies.We are looking at the role that environmental issues can play in Labour marginals and considering whether the green vote can become the Labour vote.To find out more, please contact Melanie Smallman.
Waste Communications
Waste is a political hot potato – while we’re all agreed that we need to reduce the amount we waste, Conservatives campaign hard against any changes to current dustbin collections. Are the public willing to participate or do we need to do more to persuade them to reduce, reuse and recycle without a political backlash?To find out more, please contact Melanie Smallman.
