After years of campaigning by Friends of the Earth Austria and other environmental groups, Austria shut down its final coal-fired power plant. This groundbreaking success is a step forward in the transition to clean energy. Friends of the Earth Austria had gone to great lengths to highlight the risks of coal-powered energy, releasing a study to show the number of premature deaths and respiratory diseases linked to coal power. They even climbed on the roof of the power plant to make their message heard!

Following a long campaign by Friends of the Earth Bosnia & Herzegovina and the national Coalition for the Protection of Rivers, the government voted to ban the construction of small hydropower plants across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This vote was based on the ‘Declaration on the Protection of Rivers of the Western Balkans’ prepared by environmental associations in reaction to huge damage to local communities and the environment caused by small-scale hydropower projects. With around half the hydropower plants in the country located in the Federation, (as opposed to Republika Srpska, the other entity) of Bosnia & Herzegovina this vote is a huge success for local communities and activists and for a green energy transition.

To mark Friends of the Earth Croatia’s 30th birthday, the group planned a very different celebration: they provided six households with access to electricity after years living in the dark. Through the Ray of Sun – Light of Hope campaign with the People for People initiative, the group raised awareness of energy poverty and the crucial role of solar in tackling poverty and the climate crisis. Their crowdfunding platform exceeded its target, accumulating donations from over 500 people to provide electricity to six homes in Sisak-Moslavina, one of the poorest regions of Croatia.

Estonia has long been heavily dependent on fossil fuels, but Friends of the Earth Estonia has been working tirelessly to change that. Last year, their energy experts launched a Sustainable Energy Vision for the country, co-signed by ten environmental organisations. The vision laid out a roadmap to decrease energy demand and transition to renewables. It also advocated for renewable community-owned energy schemes. The media coverage of this significant project reached over 300,000 people and is a springboard for future work on a green energy transition.

Friends of the Earth Georgia set about strengthening civil society participation in national climate policy-making. Working in a collaboration with Friends of the Earth Germany and Columbia, and Ecoaction-Ukraine they created a common vision of ambitious ‘nationally-determined contributions’ to deliver the Paris climate agreement. Their suggestions were fed into the government’s draft plans. They succeeded to mobilise more than 2000 people during a climate action week in different regions of Georgia, and reached thousands more via the media.

Friends of the Earth Hungary led big steps forward towards locally-controlled renewable energy when it won funding for six pilot community energy projects, due to launch this year. They also attracted more public support for renewable community energy thanks to a partnership with a ethically-minded celebrity to promote the pilot initiatives. Not only that, Friends of the Earth Hungary also made sure Hungary’s legal framework was more inclusive of community-led cooperatives. Their tireless advocacy work resulted in energy policy forming part of Hungary’s strategies and draft spending plans for the next five years.

Another major victory for a fossil free future was racked-up by Friends of the Earth Ireland and other environmental organisations, as Ireland banned future oil and gas exploration in Irish waters. The successes don’t end there – the government introduced a support scheme for microgenerators, thereby making it easier for schools to install solar panels. This comes after Friends of the Earth Ireland’s campaign for renewable and community-owned energy amassed thousands of supporters: over 16,000 emails were sent to elected representatives over the course of 2020, and even school pupils got involved promoting solar energy in schools!

Friends of the Earth Scotland and allies surveyed over 1300 oil & gas workers about their industry, their working conditions and their future. With terms and conditions in oil and gas worsening, they heard from an undervalued and frustrated workforce who are open to transition. The survey found 81% would consider moving to work in another industry if the right opportunities existed.
Respondents cited low morale and fears that their community will become a ‘wasteland region’ as we move away from fossil fuels. 91% of workers had never heard of a ‘just transition’.
The survey received great media attention, and strengthened relationships between workers and environmental organisations. Using the findings, the ‘Offshore’ report was published with recommendations to improve working conditions in the oil and gas sector, address barriers to entry and conditions within the renewables industry, and ensure workers are able to help determine policy for the energy transition.