NEW: General Election Resources

As a general election draws near in the UK, it’s crucial that all who are concerned about the climate emergency engage with our elected representatives – local and national. We know that ambitious climate action is popular. We also know that governments and elected representatives across the political spectrum need to be held accountable for promises they make (or break). Government action (or inaction) matters because those who have done the least to cause climate change are suffering the most. 

Faith groups can and do make a difference. People of faith played a huge role that led to the historic “loss and damage” fund agreed at COP27, the UN climate talks in 2022. Yes, the governments and businesses that have done the most to cause climate change continue dragging their feet even as we know there is much more to be done. But this is where elected representatives – including our MPs, devolved governments, mayors and local councillors – could make a real difference, given the right encouragement.

This page lists the resources and campaigns faith groups in the UK will find useful to inform our local, regional and national actions this year. 

Christian Aid has published a selection of general election campaign crib sheets on Peace, Debt and Climate Justice. These crib sheets discuss key things to know about each topic during this general election year.

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) have produced election resources including a Hustings Guidance and Black Church Political Mobilisation: A Manifesto for Action.

Citizens UK have launched a Citizens Agenda – an overview of the issues their membership has agreed are the most important to organise around.

Council Climate Action Scorecards are a free online tool developed by Climate Emergency UK and my Society to assess all UK councils on the actions they’ve taken towards net zero.

Green New Deal Rising is a movement of young people (up to 35 years old) building local teams across the country to grow the movement and spread the word about the Green New Deal

Green New Deal has released a Gamechangers Report that includes chapters on End the Extraction of Wealth from the Global South and Bring Critical Infrastructure into Democratic Ownership.

Hope for the Future works to find ways of communicating the climate crisis more effectively to politicians, for example, supporting constituents to meet their MP and discuss climate change by finding common ground.

The Local Intelligence Hub is a free online tool developed by The Climate Coalition and mySociety to help you do your own research about local MPs, constituencies, public opinion, and the climate and nature movement.

Quakers in Britain have included general election guidance on their website that includes information on how to register, vote, and become a voter champion.

The Nation Needs You! is an online resource and campaign by Zero Hour to tell election candidates to back the Climate & Ecology Bill