WWF has campaigned since 1961 to highlight threats to wildlife and habitats and to reduce the impact that our lifestyles have on the environment. Our online campaigners have lobbied government on a range of issues, to demonstrate to political leaders that they really do care.

The following examples show that spending five minutes to send an e-mail or write a letter can really make a difference.

Climate Change Bill Campaign

Having campaigned for the introduction of legislation to reduce UK carbon emissions, WWF welcomed the government's introduction of the Climate Change Bill, which began its journey through parliament and into law in autumn 2007. However, WWF is concerned that the bill isn't strong enough to deliver the UK's fair share in the challenge to reduce global carbon emissions.

The government has set a target of reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050, yet this is based on old science from 2000 - to set a target based on such out of date information does not reflect the latest scientific evidence on the scale of the climate change challenge. What's more, the government currently plans to exclude emissions from international aviation and shipping - the fastest growing source of carbon emissions in the UK economy.

WWF therefore launched a campaign for a stronger Climate Change Bill in September 2007, urging supporters to send a clear message to their MP that we need strong, effective legislation - that means a minimum of an 80% target, including emissions from boats and planes.

Having gathered the support of more than 7,500 people ahead of the second reading of the Bill in parliament, WWF delivered two giant paper models of a boat and plane to send MPs the message that they can't ignore emissions from aviation and shipping if we want a strong Bill.

On the same day, Gordon Brown delivered his first major speech on the environment since becoming Prime Minister at WWF's One Planet Future seminar. In his speech the Prime Minister went further than ever before in conceding that the scientific evidence suggests the government's 60% emissions reduction target is likely to be inadequate in contributing the UK's share in reducing global carbon emissions.

Significantly, he indicated that the new Committee on Climate Change will look at the evidence in favour of a stronger 80% target and will make a recommendation by the autumn of 2008 as to whether the target requires strengthening to reflect the latest science.

But positive talk about tackling climate change is very different from decisive action. WWF is therefore continuing to campaign for the Bill to reflect the latest science and amend the emissions reduction target to at least 80% before the Bill is passed into law. You can continue to add your voice via the campaign website at wwf.org.uk/getonboard.

One million sustainable homes (OMSH)

Since 2003 WWF has been working with government, industry and consumers to bring sustainable homes from the fringes of the housing sector to the mainstream. In December 2006 there was a major step forward to sustainable housing when the Government announced that all new homes will be 'zero carbon' in less than ten years. Stamp duty exemption will also be introduced on sustainable homes, providing home buyers with an incentive to go green.

Chemicals and Health Campaign

Throughout 2006, online campaigners helped WWF to call for tough new EU chemicals legislation, known as REACH, by e-mailing MEPs and Tony Blair directly.

Tens of thousands of man-made chemicals are manufactured, used and released into the environment every day. Many have never been properly tested for their safety and some have been linked to serious health problems in humans and wildlife.

Thanks to the ongoing support of our online campaigners, WWF lobbied MEPs and Member State governments across the EU to strengthen the environmental requirements of this legislation. This campaign came to an end in December 2006, however work in this area continues through Chemtrust. Read more about our Chemicals and Health campaign.

Marine Act

The work of WWF and its supporters in lobbying their MPs was fundamental in the publication of the Marine Bill White Paper in March 2007. WWF is campaigning for a network of protected Marine Protected Areas amongst other measures.

Climate change campaign - Carbon emission trading scheme

The carbon emission trading scheme, known as ETS, is a crucial part of European climate change policy. It is a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from industry. By campaigning to set a low cap on the scheme, the UK government hopes to reach their CO₂ reduction targets of 20% by 2010.

Twelve thousand UK campaigners signed our petition (35,000 across Europe) demanding low cap on emissions from heavy industries - a fantastic response. The petition was handed in to Government in June 2006. Read the news article and read more about our campaign.

I Count

I Count is the campaigning movement of the Stop Climate Change Coalition of which WWF is a founder member. In November 2006, 25,000 people, with huge support from WWF supporters, marched to Trafalgar Square, showing their support for action on climate change. Read more about I Count.