Lifelong Activist Asad Rehman Takes Helm of Friends of the Earth, Vows to Tackle Climate and Inequality

In 2025, Asad Rehman, a lifelong activist, has been appointed as the new chief executive of the environmental charity Friends of the Earth. Rehman, who began organizing against racism and inequality in his school in the 1970s, brings decades of experience in social justice campaigns to his new role.

Rehman sees the climate crisis as an "interconnected crisis of inequality," and he intends to mobilize Friends of the Earth's significant local network of over 230 groups to address both environmental and social issues. He believes that the organization, which was instrumental in the creation of the world's first Climate Change Act, is uniquely positioned to lead the fight against the climate emergency while also tackling the root causes of inequality.

Rehman's appointment marks a shift in the UK's environmental movement, as he aims to bridge the gap between climate activism and broader social justice efforts. He plans to provide an alternative to the "division and hatred" offered by the far right, by building a new narrative that connects the climate crisis to economic and racial injustice. With his extensive experience in community organizing and his commitment to global solidarity, Rehman is poised to transform Friends of the Earth into a powerful force for change.