Reading time: four minutes

In an era where the climate crisis and biodiversity loss are top concerns worldwide, governments are under increasing pressure to act swiftly and decisively. The United Kingdom is no exception.

What’s the purpose of this bill?

A new Climate and Nature Bill aims to set the nation on a clear path towards meeting ambitious climate and nature targets. However, the bill has just hit a major roadblock and it’s a bit of a gut punch for anyone hoping that the government will take stronger action on climate change and nature conservation. If you’ve been following this bill’s journey, you know that it promised a bold step forward – legally binding targets to reduce emissions, protect nature and hold the government accountable for its environmental promises. But now? The bill has barely made it out of the starting gate. So, what does this mean for the future of the UK’s environmental policies, and how will it shape the fight against climate change and habitat destruction?

The proposed legislation not only outlines a framework for achieving specific environmental targets, but it also creates a structure of accountability and collaboration. This brings together key bodies such as the Secretary of State, the Climate Change Committee and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. At the heart of the bill is the creation of a new advisory body: the Climate and Nature Assembly. This assembly will play a critical role in shaping the strategy that guides the nation’s climate and nature objectives. From the ambitious targets to the duties placed on government bodies, this bill represents a significant moment in the ongoing battle to safeguard our planet's future.

The bill’s journey

The Climate and Nature Bill was introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, who’s no stranger to fighting for environmental causes. She’s spent years raising awareness about marine pollution and climate issues – she even rowed across oceans to make her point. The bill itself was designed to push the government to finally really tackle climate change and biodiversity loss with concrete strategies and annual targets. It even called for a citizens' assembly to get the public directly involved in shaping the country’s climate action plan.

Debates and discussions

Unfortunately, the House of Commons didn’t seem to agree. After just a short debate, MPs voted to end further discussions on the bill. The motion passed by a massive margin – 120 votes to just 7. As a result, the bill won’t even come back for a proper debate until July, and honestly, it seems like it's unlikely to become law at this point.

But here’s where things get complicated. Savage said she wasn’t going to push for an immediate vote. Instead, she agreed to work with government ministers to find a way forward. Green Party leader Carla Denyer wasn’t exactly thrilled about this. She basically called out the government for offering nothing more than a “meeting with the secretary of state for energy and net zero.” Denyer wants more than just talk – she’s demanding real commitments, and I totally understand why.

Now, Savage has responded by saying she’s been an environmental campaigner for two decades and is looking for a more pragmatic approach. As the third party, she argues that working with the government is the best way forward. But let’s be real, it’s frustrating to see that environmental progress is getting bogged down in political negotiations when we know just how urgent the crisis is.

As the debate continued, Labour MP Clive Lewis came out strongly in support of the bill, even using the moment to criticise airport expansion plans that seem to be getting more attention than climate action. There’s the whole issue of what kind of growth the UK wants. Labour MP Clive Lewi made an impassioned statement during the debate that sums up the frustration many are feeling: “You can’t have growth on a dead planet.” He’s absolutely right. The tension between economic growth and environmental protection is becoming more and more apparent, and it’s tough to see how we’re going to move forward if those two things aren’t seen as completely interconnected.

The government has also been taking heat for some of its recent decisions, like the plan to expand Heathrow and other airports, which has many environmentalists scratching their heads. Why expand airports when we’re trying to reduce carbon emissions? It just doesn’t seem to add up, especially when you consider that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has hinted at making it harder for nature protection campaigns to slow down major development projects. It’s like the government is talking about climate action but walking the walk on expanding fossil fuel infrastructure. It doesn’t really seem to line up, does it?

What now?

So, what’s the takeaway here? While the Climate and Nature Bill may not be dead, it’s definitely been sidelined for now. The deal struck by ministers and MPs avoids a full vote, but it’s clear that the frustration over the lack of urgency from the government is only growing. Whether or not we’ll see stronger climate action anytime soon is anyone’s guess, but if the bill’s supporters and environmental groups have their way, this fight is far from over.