The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) bill is a private members’ bill, written by scientists, lawyers and activists. It’s backed by over 85 MPs including Caroline Lucas, plus a wide range of businesses. List here. The bill has the potential to become the most significant move forward since the Climate Change Act 2008.
Our MP, Anthony Mangnall, has not yet come out in support.
Key Elements
- Oblige the government to take full account of all the emissions caused by UK consumption. Currently aviation, shipping and imported goods are excluded. Much of the UK’s reduction in CO2 over recent decades has simply been due to manufacturing being moved overseas.
- Actively conserve the natural world by protecting and restoring the UK’s ecosystems, with a focus on biodiversity, soils and natural carbon sinks.
- Limit reliance on speculative unproven carbon capture technologies. We need a plan to bring emissions under control that we’re sure can be achieved.
- Establish a temporary Citizen’s Assembly made up of 100-150 ordinary people (like a jury) to help parliament decide on measures to include in the strategy. MPs must debate the assembly’s recommendations, but parliament will still have final say.
Full executive summary.
Short Video Explainer from the CEE bill Alliance
What you can do
Please write to Anthony Mangnall MP urging him to support this bill. Contact details here.
There is a big campaign around the country to brief MPs on this bill. Anthony Mangnall has made strong statements on his commitment to tackling climate change. The government’s 10 point plan was a step in the right direction, but scientists have already shown that it is not sufficient for UK to achieve its targeted reduction – see BBC article. So there is much hope that Anthony could be persuaded to throw his weight behind this vital initiative.