What is a mass lobby?

A mass lobby is when lots of people meet with their MSPs on the same day to have powerful conversations on issues they care about.

On Thursday 18th September 2025, hundreds of people from across Scotland will come to the Scottish Parliament to tell our MSPs: this is a moment for leadership that protects what matters most — our health, our nature, our communities, our climate, and our future.

Sign up to take part

Join us and help shape a better future together!

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never met your MSPs or spoken about climate before. We’ll give you all the support you need, from making it super easy to contact your MSPs to feeling confident on the day. You won’t be doing this alone. Read our FAQs for more information.

Getting involved is simple:

Pledge to attend — Let us know you’ll be there by registering below!

Spread the word — Bring your friends, family and your community with you.

Email your MSP — Once you’ve registered, use our simple template to let your MSP know you’re coming and want to meet with them

And lastly… Watch out for emails from us to keep you updated as plans and resources progress. As well as access to training, guides and local connections, we will guide you through what to expect on the day, so you have all the support you need to take part and have a meaningful meeting with your MSP.

Why it matters

Our MSPs have an opportunity to protect what matters most here in Scotland and around the world – from clean air, our countryside and cities, warm homes, secure jobs and strong public services. People across Scotland are united for action, and are already stepping up in their communities. Now we need to remind our MSPs to do the same. 

Showing up can make a real difference – following years of climate rollbacks and delays, we urgently need practical leadership to deliver urgent, fair climate action that also addresses the linked health, inequality and nature crises we face. 

You don’t need to be a campaigner, or to have met your MSP before, or have even spoken about climate or nature. We have an opportunity to come together for a healthier, safer, fairer, greener future for generations to come around the world.

This is a pivotal moment for Scotland, with a new Climate Change Plan being produced, and political parties writing their manifestoes for the forthcoming election. We’re asking our MSPs to use all opportunities to act with urgency to help us build a fairer, healthier, more stable and resilient future for everyone by:

  • Making our homes warmer and more energy efficient
  • Supporting us to secure jobs and the skills we need for these
  • Enabling better public transport and safer streets for walking, wheeling and cycling
  • Transforming our food system so that everyone has access to healthy, sustainable food
  • Reducing poverty and supporting those most impacted by climate impacts
  • Ensuring a thriving natural environment that supports our health, wellbeing, and livelihoods for generations to come

Let’s Act Now and Change Forever.

 

Frequently asked questions

What is a mass lobby?

A mass lobby is when lots of people meet lawmakers on the same day, often at Parliament, to have powerful conversations on the issues they care about – for example, nature and climate. By taking collective action all at the same time, we share a unified message, and meeting your MSP is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard. It is peaceful and legal, operating within formal democratic channels.

Why now?

There are two key reasons why we need to speak to our Members of Scottish Parliament (‘MSPs’)now:

  • Firstly, a draft of Scotland’s new Climate Change Plan is expected in autumn. Scotland has a legally binding target to achieve net zero by 2045, but it has abandoned several interim targets and policies to get towards it. The UK’s Climate Watchdog, the ‘Climate Change Committee’ has said Scotland must take immediate action, at pace and scale. We need to put renewed pressure on our MSPs to stand up for the climate.
  • Secondly, Scotland will have an election in 2026. Whichever party forms a government next year, it must have bold commitments on climate change. Now is the time to get climate change on the agenda, and how will our MSPs know this matters to us if we don’t tell them?

Wars around the globe, and the cost of living at home are weighing heavily on us all at this time. But, these crises are deeply linked to climate change and its impacts are worsening here in Scotland and worldwide. Action on climate would reduce our overall living costs, as well as support global stability. It’s more important than ever to speak to our MSPs and push for fair, urgent action. 80 percent of people, UK wide, are ‘fairly or very concerned’ about climate change. It’s crucial that in Scotland, we let our elected representatives know.

I have many MSPs – which one(s) should I meet?

Each person in Scotland is represented by 8 MSPs: one constituency MSP and seven regional MSPs covering a larger area.

We’re inviting all MSPs to attend, so if all eight of yours join, you could have the chance to meet them all! We’ll group MSPs by region to keep meetings manageable and make sure everyone has a good conversation.

I get muddled on the difference between Westminster and Holyrood. Help me out…

The UK Parliament at Westminster is made up of our MPs, who set laws which are then carried out by the UK Government. If you want to speak to someone about what the UK Government is doing, speak to your MP. The UK Government is responsible for things like (most) tax, national security, and immigration.

The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood and our MSPs set laws which are carried out by the Scottish Government. If you want to influence Scottish Government decisions, speak to your MSPs. The Scottish Government is responsible for things in Scotland like housing, transport, and social security.

Some climate-related powers sit with Westminster, including:

  • setting the prices of electricity and gas.
  • setting the level of taxes for petrol and diesel.
  • Provide international climate finance to help climate vulnerable communities around the world.

However, Holyrood controls many key areas that affect climate change, including how to:

  • heat and insulate our homes and buildings efficiently and fairly.
  • manage and fund our buses, rails, ferries, walking and cycling.
  • support renewable energy projects.
  • Protection of nature including peatland restoration, nature-friendly farming, woodland creation, and more.

Crucially, Holyrood has the power to set and meet climate targets .

Where does Scotland stand globally on climate action?

Whilst Scotland is is doing well on switching to renewable energy, our economy is still reliant on fossil fuels, and decisions about them are complex, straddling Westminster and the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland’s climate emissions have cut by more than 50% compared to 1990 levels, but due to lack of emission cuts in the last few years, the government weakened our climate targets. Within Scotland, people’s carbon footprint varies: the average carbon footprint of the richest 5% of households in Scotland is 4.1 times greater than the poorest 5% of households.

Ahead of the lobby we will provide more background and info on the key climate issues affecting Scotland.

Do I need to sign up or can I just show up on the day?

Everyone attending must be signed up individually. This helps us coordinate with MSPs and ensure the day runs smoothly. So if you’re not sure whether you’re coming or not, please do still sign up.

Where do I need to go and when?

The MSP meetings will take at the Scottish Parliament from around 12:45, and you’ll need to arrive by 12:00 to get through security. Everyone taking part will have the opportunity to meet in the morning to chat to others taking part and prepare, and there will be other activities taking place before and after – more on that to come! Please sign up and then you’ll get all the information you need about the day.

Wasn’t there a mass lobby of Parliament in July?

Yes! That was a mass lobby of MPs at Westminster – so, for example, was a key place to talk about things like the regulation of electricity markets. You can read about that event here.

This lobby is for people in Scotland to speak to MSPs about things they have control over in Scotland – warmer, more efficient homes, better transport, and protecting our land and seas.

I’ve never met my MSPs before – I’m not sure what the process is

That’s absolutely okay — you don’t need to be an experienced campaigner to take part, or need to have met your MSPs before (or even know who they are yet!). You don’t even need to have spoken about climate or nature before. All you need is to care for this planet and the people on it. We’ll support you every step of the way — from inviting your MSPs and writing a personalised message, to knowing what to expect on the day and feeling confident in the meeting itself. You won’t be doing this alone.

This isn’t my usual style of campaigning – is this still for me?

Absolutely. Whether you’ve taken part in direct action, written to your MP before, or this is your very first time getting involved, this moment is for you. The Mass Lobby is open to everyone — farmers, healthcare workers, teachers, parents, union reps, and everyone in between — united by the belief that our leaders must act for a fairer, healthier, safer future. No matter your background, beliefs, or experience, your voice belongs here.

Will there be a march and can I bring placards?

This event is a mass lobby, which means the focus is on constituents meeting their MSPs to have meaningful, face-to-face conversations about the issues they care most about.

We’re encouraging people not to bring placards. That’s because they’re not allowed inside venues where some MSP meetings are taking place, and we want to avoid unnecessary waste after the event.

I’m planning to come by myself. Can I still sign up?

Yes, absolutely! Even if you’re registering on your own, you’re not alone. Others from your constituency will likely be attending too. In fact, most meetings will be done in small groupings so you will be with other constituents from your area on the day.

I’m travelling a long way. Can I get support with travel expenses?

We have a fund to help with travel costs. You can find out more about the support available by contacting us on info@stopclimatechaosscotland.org.

I am a parent and/or carer and will need to organise cover to be able to come. Can I get financial support with this?

We have a fund to help with caring costs. You can find out more about the support available by contacting us on info@stopclimatechaosscotland.org.

Can I register on behalf of a group?

Everyone attending must sign up individually. This helps us coordinate with MSPs and ensure the day runs smoothly. So if you’re part of a group, please share the registration link and encourage others to sign up too.

Is the event wheelchair-accessible?

The main event, our lunchtime lobby, is taking place both inside and outside the Scottish Parliament building. All public areas are wheelchair accessible. For full details on accessibility at the Parliament, click here

In the morning, we’ll host optional training and briefing sessions nearby at the Harry Younger Hall (behind Canongate Kirk).

Wheelchair access is via the Royal Mile/Canongate.

Getting there: Use postcode EH8 8BL in your map app. The venue can be hard to find, but we’ll have signs from the Royal Mile to guide you.

Vehicle access is via Calton Road and Lochend Close (drop-off or Blue Badge only).

Accessibility and other ways to participate

We know that attending an in-person event during the day isn’t possible for everyone — whether due to work, caring responsibilities, disability, access needs, or other reasons. We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to take part.

We’re prioritising an in-person lobby for September because MSPs are far more likely to engage when we show up at Holyrood together — they’re busy, and a strong physical presence makes it harder to ignore our message.

We’ll be organising follow-up online lobby sessions in the weeks after the event. These will offer flexible, accessible ways to get involved and make your voice heard. More details will be shared soon – please watch this space.

How will I know if my MSPs are available?

Once you sign up, you will be directed to a page where you can email your MSPs to invite them to meet you.

We will also be checking this from our side and will contact you closer to the time to let you know if, how many, and which MSPs will come, and how to find them.

Will I be expected to follow any rules?

Yes – we want this to be a safe, welcoming and inclusive event for everyone. Closer to the time, you’ll receive a Lobby Pack. It will include travel tips, where to go on the day, and our code of conduct – the shared expectations we ask everyone to follow. Ushers will be on hand to support you and help create a respectful, positive atmosphere throughout the day.

Can children or young people join?

Yes! Families are welcome. Just make sure everyone attending is registered and that young people are accompanied by a responsible adult.

Got any more questions? Email: info@stopclimatechaos.org and a member of our team will be in touch!

Ready to sign up and start your journey? Head to the registration form and join hundreds of others getting ready to tell their MSPs to Act Now and Change Forever!