Dear John,

It’s not long since we were celebrating a busy an successful 2025. But, 4 weeks into 2026, we’ve already got lots to tell you about. Read on for green fingers, a winter warmer and a way to show the love…

Make the most of your small garden –  online demonstration happening tonight

Have you signed up for our free online gardening demonstration with Postcode Gardener Liz Moxon?

Whether you have a balcony, courtyard or compact garden, growing food and flowers is achievable and deeply rewarding. This session will show how to make the most of your space – wherever you live.

It’s tonight, from 7 to 8pm, and there are still spaces available – sign up now.

Will 2026 be the year water polluters clean up their act?

Last week the government published its new plan to clean up our polluted rivers, lakes and seas. We've known for years that businesses have been making huge profits while people and nature suffer. And we've been calling for radical change – but the plan didn't deliver.

In a nutshell, the changes it suggested are pretty limited and extremely vague. A lot needs to change before the government launches its new Water Bill later this year. We're working with other environmental organisations to set out a vision for a real clean water revolution. We’ll set out our grand plan in March.

Let’s make 2026 the year polluters clean up their act. Sign our petition telling the government to put clean water above private profit, now.

A winter warmer

The government has just announced its Warm Homes Plan – the measures it will take to bring housing in the UK up to date and safe all year round.

The plan is a step forward towards greener, warmer homes in the UK. And it couldn’t have happened without the tens of thousands who signed our petition and wrote to their MPs, not to mention all the local groups who put pressure on local government and Westminster. This is YOUR win. THANK YOU.

Read our summary of the plan and find out why we think it could do more for millions of people in the UK.

A reprieve for Indonesia’s rainforests

You may remember our campaign last year to stop UK corporation Jardine Matheson (and its subsidiary PT Agincourt) expanding gold mining activity in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

This area was hit by devastating floods and landslides at the end of last year. Thousands of people lost their lives and tens of thousands lost their homes. Deforestation from mining and other corporate activities directly worsened the impacts of these floods.

So we were relieved to hear some promising news from our friends at WALHI – Friends of the Earth Indonesia. In response to this devastation, the Indonesian government has revoked the licence for PT Agincourt’s gold mine, along with 27 other permits for deforesting activities in the area.

It’s an encouraging decision but WALHI has warned we must ensure it isn’t just a symbolic action. It’s calling on the Indonesian government to commit to ongoing measures to protect and restore vital ecosystems. Including a full review of all company permits in the area to stop destructive deforestation permanently.

Show the love – tell your politicians what you care about

The Climate Coalition is a broad group of social and environmental justice organisations unified by one thing: we passionately want to protect the things we love from climate change.

This Saturday 14 February, the Coalition is encouraging people to Show the Love. Send a card – physical or online – to your MP, telling them what’s at the heart of your community. That could be clean air, warm homes or local green spaces – a short message on what you love and want to protect.

It’s a powerful way to remind our elected officials about us, the individuals they represent. And what really matters to each of us.

The government’s climate plan – good enough, for now

We took the last government to court over its dreadful climate plan, and you joined us in calling for a new, big and ambitious plan. Last year the government unveiled its plan and we've been studying it and considering our next steps – would we need to take legal action… again?

Thanks to our hard work the government has been forced to move faster and further. This will lead to cheaper bills, warmer homes and thousands of new jobs.

We would have liked to see more ambition. But the plan is significantly better than previous efforts. So we’ve made the decision not to contest it in the courts.

But we’ll be keeping a close watch on the government. Its next climate plan is expected in 2027. And it must show real ambition this time.

Renewable energy – countering the disinformation

We’re hearing more and more talk from right wing politicians that renewable energy is unreliable and it “won’t be enough.” They say we need more fracking, more oil and more gas. But what’s the truth?

Our fact checker explores the issues and counters the disinformation around renewable energy. It’s a part of an ongoing series exposing the disinformation spread by some right wing politicians about the solutions to climate breakdown.

There’s a lot to look forward to in the coming months, from action on water pollution and research on flooding to exposing dodgy timber imports. Not to mention the forthcoming local elections.

We’ll be in touch soon – in the meantime stay warm and keep a look out for the first signs of spring.

Thanks,

Aleanna,

Friends of the Earth