In an attempt to limit climate breakdown, the Climate and Nature Bill was proposed to the House of Commons by Caroline Lucas (former MP for Brighton) in 2020. “Why is this significant, you ask?” Haven’t we already got countless pledges and bills relating to climate change? Isn’t there a UN conference every year where they (supposedly) only talk about the climate crisis? The answer is yes, but these efforts are wildly inadequate.  

It is unanimously agreed among climate scientists that in order to avoid climate catastrophe, we must limit warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. However, according to the climate action tracker, even under our current policies, actions and nationally determined contributions (NDCs), the UK’s overall climate rating is ‘insufficient’. And the scary thing is we aren’t even on track to meet these insufficient policies due to the UK government watering them down. In 2023, Rishi Sunak announced he would reverse climate policies, including the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars and gas boilers, as well as promising to offer hundreds of oil and gas licenses to boost the North Sea oil industry.

(Source: climateactiontracker.org, 2023. )

So, due to the current monstrosity of climate leadership demonstrated by the UK government, it is no surprise that activists around the UK are pushing the Climate and Nature (CAN) bill; a legally binding statement ensuring a ‘joined-up’ approach that considers both climate and nature by creating policies and action that are people led and science orientated.  

Climate Clause  

In a nutshell, this clause in the bill aims to cut emissions as rapidly as possible and stay in line with 1.5C. This includes rapidly reducing territorial emissions as well as taking responsibility for our overseas footprint. It also commits to fulfilling obligations under the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC and would push the concept of a finite carbon budget into law, meaning taking on much stronger action in areas such as wasteful emissions and transitioning quicker to renewables. In order to limit heating to 1.5C, it must be understood that the path to net zero is just as important as getting there. 

(Source: Zerohour.uk, 2024)

Nature Clause  

The role that nature plays in regulating our climate system is widely unknown. Protecting ecosystems ensures that the carbon locked in them is not released into the atmosphere. Damaged peatlands are responsible for almost 5% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, so ensuring that these, as well as wetlands, forests and oceans, are protected is vital for achieving 1.5C. Climate change leads to biodiversity loss, and biodiversity loss leads to climate change.  

This part of the bill would halt and reverse the loss of nature in the UK, meaning that the UK would be nature-positive by 2030. It also aims to increase the health, abundance, diversity and resilience of all ecosystems. It would ensure that the UK fulfils its commitments and pledges towards protecting nature and biodiversity.  

(Source: Zerohour.uk, 2024)

“Surely, with a climate and nature crisis, everyone supports this bill?” – I hear you say. But alas, this is not the case. The good news is that 1,533 politicians, scientists and organisations are on board, but need more. A general election is nearly upon us, and this is an opportunity for change.  

In terms of political parties, only the Green Party and Liberal Democrats support the CAN bill. While many Labour and a few Conservative MPs have supported the bill, the parties as a whole have not.  

As a 20-year-old living in Tory Britain, I know as much as the next person that sometimes it feels like nothing we do will make a difference – we live in a flawed political system that doesn’t reflect what the majority of people want. But I urge everyone, on July 4th, to get out and vote. Instead of thinking “I am voting Labour” or “I am voting Green”, think “I am voting Climate”. Is the candidate you are voting for supporting the CAN bill? If they aren’t, then contact them, put pressure on them – and ask them why they think they are exempt from caring about a planet that we all call home.