Welcome to our latest newsletter of 2022, full of updates about campaigns that we – and you – have been supporting, and policy developments.
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- International Day of Action on Big Biomass – 22nd October
- Panorama: The Green Energy Scandal Exposed
- Webinar: Drax and the Green Energy Con
- Greenpeace Unearthed: Drax accused of driving ‘environmental racism’
- RSPB campaign: Attack on Nature
- CBS report: The Big Burn
- Net Zero Festival and Labour Party Conference
- California: Veto of state aviation greenwash legislation
- Axe Drax crowdfunder
- Burned: Are Trees the New Coal
1. International Day of Action on Big Biomass – 22nd October
This year’s international day of action takes place globally on Friday 21st October. Join us in taking part in the global ‘Wave; to raise awareness of the global environmental and social impacts of burning forest biomass. As part of this we are asking if you can show your support by sending a message to Barclays, which is helping fund the UK’s single largest carbon emitter and the world’s biggest tree burning power station, Drax. Can you participate in an organised event, our e-action or social media action? Click the button below to find out more about Barclays’ investments in Drax and how you can take action.
2. Panorama: The Green Energy Scandal Exposed
Many of you will have tuned into the BBC at 8pm on Monday 3rd October 2022 to see Panorama’s investigation by Joe Crowley into Drax’s sustainability claims which revealed that Drax is cutting down primary forests in Canada. Biofuelwatch and our supporters have been campaigning and sounding the alarm about Drax for years. You can watch the full programme here or read a report below:
3. Webinar: Drax and the Green Energy Con
Please join Biofuelwatch, Axe Drax and the Stop Burning Trees Coalition for a webinar on “Drax and the Green Energy Con” to find out how we can help protect forests, wildlife, communities and the climate from Drax’s tree burning. Online on Monday 17th October from 7pm (UK time). Book your place now by clicking here.
4. Greenpeace Unearthed: Drax accused of driving ‘environmental racism’
An investigation by Greenpeace Unearthed released this month highlighted the number of settlement payments Drax has been forced to make for air pollution claims against three of its US pellet plants, two of which are in poor, majority black communities. You can read the full report below or watch the clip to find out more.
5. RSPB campaign: Attack on Nature
Following the UK government’s proposal to scrap laws that protect nature and funding for nature friendly farmers the RSPB has launched its ‘Attack on nature’ campaign. You can support this by writing to your local MP, Councillors and decision makers to stop this attack on nature and to support laws that protect it rather than scrapping them. We have added links to some webpages with more information to support you with writing to your MP and a template for any follow up you may require:
6. CBS report: The Big Burn
The Fifth Estate examines how British Columbia has become a leading exporter of wood pellets being burned to fuel energy needs in the U.K. You can watch the full report here or click to watch ‘The Big Burn’ video below:
7. Net Zero Festival and Labour Party Conference
Thank you to everyone who supported us online and in person at both the Net Zero Festival and Labour Party Conference. The Net Zero Festival took place at the end of September and among the speakers was Drax promoting its false solutions. We cannot let net zero greenwashing by big polluters be voiced without exposing them as the dangerous solutions they are.
The Labour Party Conference took place at the same time in Liverpool this year with Drax being part of a sponsored event. Climate justice campaigners and Labour party members held a protest outside the conference demanding Labour drop its ties with Drax.
You can see more pictures and videos from both of these actions below:
8. California: Veto of state aviation greenwash legislation
Our colleague Gary Hughes has written a detailed blog on recent developments with regards to the AB-1322 Bill. The bill proposed a ‘net zero by 2045’ goal for aviation originating in the state, with a focus on production and use of what the aviation sector calls ‘sustainable aviation fuel’. This involves massively scaling up intensive manufacturing of liquid aviation biofuels from high deforestation risk feedstocks like soy and canola oil. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s vetoing of the bill surprised refinery watchdogs and community climate activists but demonstrated a common sense approach which has been missing in the legislature. You can read Gary’s full blog on this below:
9. Axe Drax Crowdfunder
We would like to share with you a worthy crowdfunder by the AxeDrax group. As many of you will be aware the AxeDrax group has worked with Biofuelwatch over the years challenging Drax and the UK government often through direct in person action such as the recent Labour Party conference. The group is run by volunteers and is therefore humbly asking for your donations to help cover legal costs for those arrested and charged as well as materials to use at actions.
10. Burned: Are Trees the new Coal
If you, or a group you are part of, are interested in organising a screening of this award-winning documentary please email us at: biofuelwatch@gmail.com. We will try to organise guest speakers from wood pellet-sourcing regions shown in the film.