Staff and supporters of CAT joined thousands of demonstrators in London on Saturday 4th December for the Zero Carbon Britain by 2030 rally where 1000's of people participated in a March organised by Campaign against Climate Change to coincide with the international climate talks at COP15 in Cancun.

Organisers of the march said that the zerocarbonbritain2030 report had been inspirational in bringing people together for the rally. To kick start the March, a giant 2030 was spelt out by demonstrators to demand a 100% reduction in carbon emissions by the year 2030.

Paul Allen, External Relations Director at CAT, addressed the crowd at the end of the March to Parliament Square, along with speakers including; Caroline Lucas MP (MP and leader of the Green Party); Andy Atkins (Director of Friends of the Earth); Maria Souviron (Ambassador of Bolivia) and Ben Brangwyn (Co-founder of Transition Towns).

Caroline Lucas remarked “there is far more political leadership on the streets of London here today, than there is in all the grandeur of the palace of Westminster”. She called the UN negotiation process “dangerously out of touch with what the science requires”, and expressed her dismay in the lack of financial backing as well as minimal participation from Westminster MP’s in Cancun, “if the planet were a bank it would have been saved years ago”.

Paul Allen urged “We need to remove the political blinkers of short term timescales and set a global lead by decarbonising fast, in order to push forward the global negotiation” he continued “we need our politicians to be brave”

Speaking after the March Paul said "this is an incredible moment for CAT, to see so many people calling for a zero carbon Britain by 2030 and a real testament to the work that we have done.

Stephen Murphy from the zerocarbonbritain2030 project added "Saturday’s demonstration stated clearly that we need positive solutions to climate change. We must balance campaigning on the dangers posed by the climate, economic and energy crises with a vision for a zero carbon society that is both equitable and prosperous.

Paul Allen closed by urging demonstrators to skill up in the renewable and sustainability sectors, and take those extra steps to become zero carbon ready because "its time to say we will".

You can download the report for free and send it to your MP (see sidebar) or sign your organisation up to our Essential Elements Statement. You can read about the run up to the March from Paul Allen's blog postings in the side bar. You can also find out how to become zero carbon ready from our free cat information service This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or get re-skilled on one of our masters programmes here at CAT.