An update from the second reading of the Climate and Nature Bill

Photo credit: Kristian Lam-Clark / Zero Hour

Statement on Climate and Nature Bill 

As the new MP for the beautiful South Cotswolds, and an environmental campaigner for the last 22 years, I was proud to put forward the Climate and Nature Bill (CAN). This would have committed our Government to enshrine in law its international commitments to restore nature and tackle climate change, to protect our natural world for future generations.

My Bill and its predecessors have gathered many tens of thousands of supporters, including scientists, faith leaders, environmental charities, and celebrities such as Chris Packham and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. It also drew support not only from my fellow Lib Dem MPs but also from others drawn from nearly all Parties. I am grateful to all of them for their encouragement and support. 

This was a very ambitious Bill to be put forward by a new MP. Of course, I and all the Bill's supporters had hoped that Friday 24th January would see us move forward to the next stage of the Parliamentary process. We had hoped that this much-needed and long-awaited bill, which highlights the link between the climate and nature crises, and advocates for a just and fair transition to a more sustainable future, would finally make it into law. 

Sadly, that was not to be. The government have a huge majority and control the Parliamentary timetable. They decide if a Bill likes this lives or dies. I spent many hours in negotiations with Ministers trying to persuade them to support the Bill. In the end they would not.

I know that many of the CAN Bill’s supporters will be disappointed by this, as am I. However, there is much to celebrate. As a result of those negotiations, the government has committed to a significant number of measures, specifically around the restoration of nature, accounting for emissions and nature impacts overseas, public engagement, and closer collaboration between the respective committees on nature and climate change that have previously acted in isolated silos rather than recognising the need to implement solutions together.

They have also pledged closer collaboration between the two key Ministries that are responsible for our environment, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the one responsible for tackling climate change, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), while also recognising the key role played by farmers in protecting and enhancing nature. This will include the Secretaries of State presenting an annual statement on progress made on climate and nature.

Subject to further discussions, it looks likely that I will continue to be actively involved in aspects of this work. Certainly that is my intent. I will also be pressing those Ministers who committed to deliver on their promised actions.  

I will continue to build the emerging cross-party support for effective action to restore nature, protect our natural heritage and tackle climate change, as evidenced by the lively and well-informed debate in the House of Commons on 24th January. We need unity of purpose for this huge challenge.

Success comes in many forms. In the case of the Climate and Nature Bill, success on this occasion may not have been getting it into law, but we have achieved important victories and brought a powerful coalition together inside and outside Parliament, which I believe will translate into visible and measurable results for our wonderful nature. I look forward to working with the communities, farmers, businesses, charities and other groups in the South Cotswolds to deliver on these goals, alongside my work in Westminster. 

I would like to express my heartfelt, personal thanks to all who came with me on the CAN Bill journey – the Zero Hour campaign team, who have been passionate and professional throughout; the huge numbers of people around the country who wrote to their MPs and championed our cause; the scientists, faith leaders, athletes and advocates who lent their names and reputations to the cause; the charities and non-governmental organisations that backed the campaign; my 11 amazing MP co-sponsors of the CAN Bill drawn from all the main Parties, who gave precious time and words of wisdom; my Lib Dem colleagues who turned out in force for the debate and backed me to the hilt; and of course my parliamentary and constituency teams who have supported me throughout, and worked extra hard to make sure we continued to support and help local residents, businesses and community organisations during this very busy time.